Chapter Fifteen #2
“Anyway…” she lingers as if she didn’t just drop a huge bomb on me.
“We need to discuss our next meetup. It looks like I’ll need you here at the end of August or early September.
My father’s returning from overseas and will be flying in to check on everything.
I don’t have the exact dates yet, but I wanted you to be aware and ready to jump on a flight. ”
“Alright.”
This conversation is pretty much over. I’m done talking to her.
I should be in shock by how nonchalantly she moves from one insane topic to the next, but I’m not.
It just shows how immature she really is and how she wants a baby for the wrong reasons.
Money drives and motivates her, and she has no problem doing whatever it takes to get what she wants, even if it means becoming a mother.
“Please make sure to pack the Armani suits and your Rolex so you look like my perfect husband. Were you able to fully spend the twenty grand I gave you?”
I try not to bite off my tongue as I remember the whole experience.
It was more than obvious I didn’t belong when I arrived at the tailor appointment Victoria had set up for me.
It was strange as hell carrying large quantities of cash and spending it on such useless shit.
I hate having to pretend to be something I’m not, and it’s already wearing me down.
“Yes. I bought everything you said. The suits, watches, ties, and shoes.”
She giggles. “Good. I know you didn’t want the money because you don’t like handouts, but I care about you, Liam.
I genuinely want you to fit in with my family and lifestyle while I’m still in the business.
Speaking of, please make sure you get a haircut before you come too.
I can’t have you looking sloppy around my father. ”
If I don’t end this call soon, I’m going to end up saying something I might regret. “Listen, I hate to cut you off, but I really gotta go. I need to get back to work.”
“Why are you even still working?”
Thankfully, she can’t see the aggravated look on my face because she asked the dumbest fucking question I’ve ever heard. “I need to make money to pay my bills,” I deadpan.
“You can work for the family. Or move here and live with me. My offer to give you an allowance still stands.”
I suck in a deep breath, not wanting any more handouts from her after she saved my life. I don’t even know why she’d want me involved in her life, considering she wants her freedom and out of the business. It doesn’t quite add up, but I don’t have time to analyze it right now.
“And I’ve already declined. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
I don’t give her time to respond before I end the call.
Slamming my fists against the steering wheel, I let out a roar of a groan.
This is so fucked up, and I wish I could go back in time and refuse to play with JJ’s money.
Six months should fly by, but it seems like right now everything is happening in slow motion.
Between Victoria calling all the shots and me being forced to sit back as Maddie goes on dates with players, I’m losing all the control I once had.
Once I’ve calmed down a bit, I shift into drive, then press on the gas.
I make a quick U-turn and pass the Suburban, looking at the two men who’ve been following me all morning.
They turn their heads, wearing dark sunglasses, but I see enough of their faces to be able to recognize them in public. Fuckers.
As I pull out of the parking lot, they rush forward and fall in place behind me.
Chantal messages me, and as I’m waiting at a red light, I respond and let her know I’m on my way.
It takes me a good twenty minutes to get across town before I pull into the driveway of an older house.
One I’m sure is an Airbnb she’s renting with a stolen credit card.
I grab my cuffs and tuck them into my back pocket, leaving the car unlocked.
It’ll be easier to place her inside once I have her secured.
I don’t wear my normal gear since she’s expecting me and willingly letting me inside.
She’s not a violent threat either, but it’s better to be safe than sorry so I tuck my gun into the back of my jeans.
Sucking in a deep breath with a smile on my face, I go to the door and knock.
Within seconds, she’s opening it, wearing lingerie with a robe half open.
Her hair is up in a high ponytail, and she’s looking at me as if I’m a piece of meat and she’s starving.
Then again, she did say she wanted breakfast.
“Hey, sexy,” she purrs, pulling me inside. We’ve exchanged photos the past few weeks, and surprisingly, she looks like her pictures.
“Hey, babe. Nice to see you in person after all this time.” I give her my best boyish grin.
I know those assholes are watching, and I’m well aware of what it looks like from an outsider’s view. Chantal saunters to the kitchen and pulls two mugs from the cabinet.
“Just made coffee. Want some?” she asks, looking over her shoulder.
I take a few steps forward and follow her, slipping the cuffs in my hand. I’m close to her body, her ass pressing against my junk, but I’m not even hard. Nothing about this situation turns me on in the slightest.
I slap one handcuff on her wrist until it clicks and then the other. She leans against me laughing. “Oh, so you’re into that kinky shit? I’m down.” Chantal glances at me, smiling wide, but she won’t be for long.
Her words have me chuckling as she spins around, her hands secured behind her back. Right now, she has no idea what’s going on and is clueless that, within the next hour, she’ll be sitting in jail.
“Do you want to put some pants and shoes on first?” I ask nicely, considering I could take her in just like this.
“So you can undress me before you fuck me?”
I lift an eyebrow. “Actually, so you won’t have to sit in a cell in your underwear.”
“What’s that code for?” She giggles.
I grab her arm and lead her into the living room. “It’s not code for anything. I’m taking you in for failing to appear in court. Your bonds company isn’t too happy with you.”
Neither am I for how long I’ve had to chase her.
Trying to twist around as best as she can, she gives me the dirtiest look.
“What the fuck?”
I hold her steady. “I’ve been looking for you for over a month. You don’t stay put very long, do you?”
I smirk when she scowls.
“You’re a bounty hunter?”
“I prefer fugitive recovery agent.” I flash a smug smile. “So, I’m taking you in, sweetheart. Do you want clothes or not?”
She curses, calling me every name under the sun.
“You motherfucker. You stupid motherfucking asshole.”
Her colorful language makes me chuckle. “I’ve been called that a few times. Might want to try something original.”
With flared nostrils, she tells me to fuck off as she slips on some flip-flops. I lead her outside and put her in the back seat. As I walk around to the driver’s side, I see the Suburban parked on the street and can only imagine what they’re reporting back to the boss.
The closer we get to the jail, the more it sinks in. Chantal pleads with me as most of them do.
“I’ll give you whatever you want if you let me go. Money. Sex. Whatever you want. Please just release me and we can pretend this never happened.”
Once I’ve parked outside the station, I look at her. “You need to learn a lesson, Chantal. You’re obviously not a stupid woman, but what you’ve been doing to people is terrible and illegal. Now you have to pay the price. Every action has a consequence and enough is enough.”
I understand that more than she’ll ever know.
“You’re an asshole,” she spits.
I nod, get out of the vehicle, then remove her from the back seat.
After we’re inside, she’s not booked for another thirty minutes.
While we wait, she curses me under her breath.
I smirk at how angry she is that she got caught and wonder how many people’s shit list I can get on today.
Without a doubt, I’m at the top of hers and somewhere on Victoria’s.
I have a permanent spot on Maddie’s and most likely will until my marriage ends.
Maybe forever since I hurt her beyond repair.
After signing some paperwork, I go outside and catch a glimpse of Blake walking across the parking lot.
I pretend he doesn’t exist, but he shoots me a shit-eating grin, knowing exactly how much he gets under my skin.
If he weren’t in uniform, and we were somewhere else, I’d tell him to go eat a dick, but I refrain even if it’s torturous.
When I climb inside the truck, I look around for my spy buddies who are still following as though they have nothing better to do, then turn onto the main road. It’s nearly eleven. Sophie is most likely at rehearsal, Mason’s at work, and Maddie’s avoiding me, so I’ll be safe to go home.
A wreck has the traffic backed up, and it takes me longer than usual. By the time I pull into the driveway, I’m mentally drained from everything that’s happened today.
Not wanting to bring any attention to myself, I quietly climb the stairs once I’m inside. I shut my door and feel my phone vibrate in my pocket.
Hunter
You busy? I want to get a drink in an hour and Mason can’t break away.
A drink sounds good and it’s been a while since I’ve hung out with Hunter, considering he’s busy with the kids and being a husband these days. I’m sure he couldn't care less about me being married and understands the love-at-first-sight bullshit more than anyone I know.
Liam
Getting wasted during your lunch break?
Hunter
No, I’m on a half day. And it’s been a shitty one. Lennon’s with Brandon’s mom and the kids. Mason is busy as hell.
Liam
So it leaves me. Guess that means I’m your last choice?
I love messing with him. It’s payback for all the hard times he’s given me in the past.
Hunter
Yeah. You are. Ha-ha.
Liam
Asshole.
Hunter
So you joining me or making me drink alone?
Liam
You buying?
Hunter
If that’s what it takes.
Liam