Chapter 15
Chapter fifteen
Sage
Ispent the weekend holed up in my house. On edge. Confused. And vulnerable. I try to convince myself it was for the best, but I didn’t miss the way Barrett controlled himself, controlled the moment.
It’s difficult to know how much of what he said is true. Did he touch me, kiss me, dance with me, only because he wanted to and not for some sort of show?
I figured out he was interested in either Dorian Campbell or my boss. They were the only two people he asked more than one question about.
Going to the gala was enough of a show to make me the centre of attention.
I woke up Saturday morning after a horrid sleep to a dozen messages.
All from coworkers. I only replied with thumbs up or winking face emojis to most of them.
With the few people I enjoy talking to, I made more effort at conversation.
But my thoughts circled back to Barrett no matter what I did.
The bastard had been right. Even knowing he was on the other side of the door, that orgasm wasn’t enough. It was weak and every single one since has been the same.
By Monday morning, I’m tense and pissed which only helps confirm my decision.
This needs to stay business. That’s clearly all this is to him or he would have called or showed up at some point over the weekend.
And I refuse to make any touching or sexual act part of this business deal. He doesn’t get that part of me.
Very few get that part of me. But I’m starving.
Fuck him.
Two more days and fitful sleeps pass before I hear from him.
Laying wide awake in bed, I look over at my clock.
Two-thirty. I need to get some sleep to function and resemble the living rather than the walking dead while meeting clients.
Makeup can only cover so much and I’m not talented enough to make it look perfect.
Sitting up, I beat my pillow, letting some of my frustration bleed into each blow. What would Barrett do if I slapped him the next time I see him? I don’t think I’m bold enough for that, but it’s satisfying to imagine.
The pillow puffs and the sheets make a wave as I flop back on the bed. With a heavy sigh, I close my eyes.
One, two, three. I have at least five viewings tomorrow and I’m sure there will be more messages from Dorian.
Gah. Count the fucking sheep, Sage. Four, five, six.
He left one Monday morning and Tuesday morning.
Liam even left a message from wherever he is on his trip, urging me to meet with Dorian, trying to convince me he won’t add to my workload and he may even lighten it, allowing me to drop some and still keep my income or more.
It’s tempting, but the way the two of them are pushing doesn’t settle well.
Sheep, Sage. Seven, eight …
My phone vibrates on the nightstand, startling me. I scramble across the bed in a panic, worried that it’s Nova.
Daddy. Why haven’t I changed his contact name by now?
A rush floods my system as I read my screen. I hear his voice in my head with all of his commands from the night of the gala.
Is all of this for Daddy?
I swipe down, ending the call. I’m not answering him at this hour. But the phone starts vibrating again, almost immediately. Sitting up, I hold the phone in my hand.
Closing my eyes, I answer and lift it to my ear. “Hello?”
“Meet me in Eastland Heights, pet.” It’s the new subdivision being developed on the northeast side of the city.
“It’s two-thirty in the morning.”
“Job number two. Now.” I hear the whir of tires on the road.
“Okay.” It isn’t like I have a choice. I put myself in this position and this means I’ll be another job down with only three more at the most to do.
“Good girl.” He hangs up and I glare at the phone. He didn’t need to add the praise in that rumbling tone. The reminder of everything I want that I shouldn’t isn’t welcome—not when I’ve made the decision to keep this strictly business.
I dress in sweats and a baggy sweater, grab my keys and wallet, and leave.
The subdivision only has a few new builds started—all Liam’s listings.
Concern begins to worm its way through my nerves.
How deep am I getting into this? Barrett promised he wouldn’t allow harm to come to me from anything I do for him, but I will still have to work with my boss after this.
I already know the assassination Barrett carried out in one of Madeline’s listings caused her heaps of trouble for a week after.
That had been the fateful night I saw him for the first time, giving me the idea to blackmail him to save my sister.
Worrying now is pointless. My fate was decided the moment I approached him. I have to trust him. My only other option is to tell him the deal is off, and I don’t have enough imagination to conjure what alternative payment he’d choose.
My core clenches. Maybe I do have a little imagination, but he’s already shocked me. I don’t dare take any guesses.
When I arrive at the first building in the subdivision, Barrett is waiting next to a car I don’t recognize, leaning casually against the hood.
I park in front of him. Before I turn off the car, he pushes off and strides toward me, reaching for my door.
Even alone out here in open space in front of an unfinished home, he still ensures he’s the one to open my door for me. It’s odd. Isn’t it?
“I need you to open the lock box, get back in your car, and then go home.” He shuts my car door once I step out of the way.
“Hello to you, too.”
“Sorry, pet. No time for the hello I want to give you.” Although uttered in the same serious tone he had since he called, I still feel the heat of his statement. And that only further irritates me. He didn’t give me anything before. He made me give it to myself.
I grit my teeth. “Why?”
“You don’t need to know.”
He’s right. But I don’t like being in the dark about this. How can I keep myself safe if I don’t know everything? Barrett has the opposite opinion. If I don’t know, it can’t get me into trouble.
I stroll up to the door. The contractors finished all the siding, windows, and doors last week.
All that is left is the interior. I never bothered checking who the developer is, but every lot is Liam’s to sell.
Luckily, Liam is predictable with his lock codes.
He uses the same series of codes and passwords for everything.
Do enough favours for him, and you’ll learn them all quickly.
But how did Barrett know I’d know the code?
And why does he even need me? He got into Madeline’s listing all on his own.
It doesn’t matter. This is an easy thing to cross off and get closer to ending this deal.
I squat in front of the door.
“Wait. Put these on.” Barrett hands me a pair of small leather gloves.
Fingerprints. Right. I slip them on. They’re a perfect fit, which is disconcerting knowing this is another step to dragging me further down this path.
Somehow, I know he got them for me and only me.
I hear his next words before he utters them. “They’re yours.”
And with that official statement, I input the code in the lock box to retrieve the key. Barrett takes it from between my fingers in his own gloved hands, and unlocks the door.
“Thank you, pet. Now, go home.” He barely looks at me.
“No.” I cross my arms.
Now I have his attention. “I don’t have time to argue with you about this.”
“Then don’t. I’m not leaving.”
Barrett crouches down. Leaning forward and standing in one motion, he pulls me over his shoulder, forcing all of the air out of my lungs and into my stomach.
“Put me down.” I’m gasping as I speak with his shoulder driving into my middle.
He reaches my car and puts me down beside it.
I don’t have a moment to catch my breath as he presses his body into mine, pinning me against the metal.
His gloved hand wraps around the front of my throat.
His threat is clear, but there’s no follow-through.
He doesn’t squeeze, not any rougher than he already has any other time he’s touched me.
“You are leaving.” Pulling off of me, he opens my door and puts me in the car.
My feet stumble over themselves until my ass plops onto my seat.
“Fine.” But I have a better plan. I allow him to shut my door and I start my car, pulling away slowly.
He’s in a rush, so I take a chance, guessing he won’t wait long before doing whatever it is he’s going to do.
The new subdivision backs onto an old highway.
Areas like this are popping up everywhere to expand the city housing.
That back highway is empty at this time of night.
As soon as I’m out of view of the house, I pull onto the side of the road and park.
Jumping out, I run back to the house. The need to know how deeply involved I am burns through me. I’ve racked enough sins with the assassination of my brother-in-law. It’s too late and I refuse to be blind.
I freeze when I see Barrett pull a man from the trunk of the car.
I recognize him. The shaggy blond hair and crooked metal frames hanging on his nose are difficult to miss.
Dr. William Bradbury. He was at the gala and even gave a speech.
He volunteers at all of the shelters and walk-in clinics, and donates a healthy sum to all of the health and wellness charities.
And Barrett is going to kill him. What the hell am I supposed to do? Can I stop him?
I don’t waste time thinking about it. I rush after him, but he’s already shoved Dr. Bradbury into the house.
“Please. Don’t do this.” The masculine voice squeaks as he begs. I open the door slowly, hoping his voice covers the sound.
“I wonder how many times you’ve heard those words.” Barrett’s voice is cold. Even when dealing with this side of him myself, I haven’t heard that unyielding ice drip from him. I know nothing about who I’m dealing with.
Peeking around the door, I catch Dr. Bradbury’s gaze. “Help me! Please.” He isn’t tied or secured in any way, but he’s standing on the other end of Barrett’s gun.
“Fuck,” Barrett mutters. Dr. Bradbury must think he sees an opportunity and moves to his left, attempting to get around Barrett and reach me and the door. But Barrett shoots before he makes it a full two steps.
I scream. My ears are ringing and shock attacks all of my senses as I stare at the hole in Dr. Bradbury’s forehead and the blood pooling on the floor.
Barrett didn’t pause between taking his shot and turning to rush toward me. He shuts the door and pulls my back against his chest, facing us away from the body. Slowly, the metallic scent fills the room over the smell of the wood and sawdust.
“Why? Why did you kill him?”
“You know what I am. You came to me for the same fucking thing. What illusions do you have of me, pet?”
“He was a doctor and did so much for the shelters and clinics.”
“And you’re just a real estate agent.” His words hit their target.
I’m so much more than a real estate agent and now I’m no better than a murderer.
Hiring the hit on my brother-in-law is the same thing, even if he deserved it.
No one but our family knew what he was capable of.
There’s so much beneath the surface of every human out there.
I start to shake, shivering from my neck down my entire body. Shock and anger collide in my chest. “Let me go.”
“No.”
Adrenaline shoots through me, choosing a fight response, and I struggle in his arms. It’s no use. His hold is strong and I get nowhere. I stop, but I’m heaving and grinding my teeth to hold some form of a growl in my throat.
“I told you to go home. You weren’t supposed to be involved in this.”
“I am involved. You called me. I came. I unlocked the door.”
“And who’s fault is it that you’re involved?”
Mine. It’s mine.