Chapter 48
Fifteen minutes before closing, it was finally time to let Vic in on the plan. There wasn't anyone at the bar since most people had cleared out. "Vic," I called, interrupting his cleaning.
He leaned over the countertop with a smile on his handsome face. "What's up?"
"I'm going to get Hobbs to confess on record that he killed Alex."
His eyes grew wide, and he took a moment to process every word I had said one by one. "How?"
Looking over my shoulder, I searched for Beau, but he was already gone. "I blackmailed Beau. Lucien's husband. It's why I couldn't let you know what I was doing. In exchange for giving him the video, he got the cops to give me a wire. And now, I have to get Trevor to confess."
Vic looked utterly shocked. "How?"
"I need you to tell Hobbs that I took someone upstairs, and you can't find the receipt. He'll know I didn't get clearance for it. I need him to believe I gave someone a freebie."
"Won't that get you into trouble?"
"Yeah. He isn't going to be happy, but he won't take it out on me here. Getting Hobbs pissed off at me is the only way I can bring up the subject without making it seem like a setup. He'll assume I'm bringing it up out of spite."
Vic began to pace in agitation. "I don't like this."
"Don't worry. I have a safe word. The cops will be listening in."
"But what if something happens?"
I smiled. "He won't kill me. He might smack me around a bit, but that's it."
"That's supposed to make me feel better?"
"I'm used to it. I can take a hit. Please, Vic. This is the only way we get rid of Trevor Hobbs for good. It's how we get justice for Alex and my freedom. I need you to do this for me, please."
Sighing heavily, he stared at me before muttering, "Fine."
"Good. When the club closes, Hobbs will head to his office, and I'll be in the dressing room to put the wire on. That's when you tell him."
Vic shook his head. "I still hate this."
"I know." Slapping my hand on the bar, I smirked confidently. "I need some liquid courage, though. Make it strong."
I watched Vic mix the Poison Apple, making sure he was heavy-handed with the alcohol. When he offered it to me, I snatched it up and went to the far end of the club to keep an eye on Trevor. Eventually, the last patron left the building, and Hobbs moved to the bar. I nodded at Vic, who scrolled through a tablet before grabbing his attention. That was my cue.
Rushing to the dressing room, I locked the door behind me and proceeded to my vanity, pulling out the tiny sticker with the golden wires. As I peeled off the backing and pressed it to my chest, I examined myself in the mirror. There was no going back. The mic had been activated. The cops were officially listening in.
Grabbing a black pair of pants, I yanked them on and pulled on a zip-up black top with no sleeves. The garment covered the bug... barely. Hopefully, I wouldn't have to bend over in front of anyone. Even after getting dressed, I stayed put, making sure to give Vic plenty of time to sell the story.
When I was sure I couldn't wait any longer, I picked up my handbag and walked out the door.
Hobbs was leaning against the bar with a furious look on his face. Clearly, he didn't take the news well. "Are you ready to leave?"
I pretended to act confused. "Everything okay?"
"Let's get home."
I nodded, scurrying ahead of him towards the car waiting for us outside. At least I was right about one thing. Hobbs wouldn't make a scene in the club. He was going to wait until he took me to the safety of our home. Even though I was just a servant, beating me in front of everyone would make him look bad, and he knew it.
Hobbs practically shoved me into the back seat, and we rode in silence until we reached our apartment. God, I hoped the cops were around. Trevor was seething. I don't think I had ever seen him so angry before. The vein on the side of his neck looked like it was about to burst.
When we made it into our living room, he slammed the door hard. It missed the latch and burst back open from the impact. Angerly, he slammed it again. Running a hand through his thick hair, he aggressively strode toward me. "Who was it?"
I backed up. "Who was what?"
"Who did you take upstairs?"
"No one."
He gripped his hair, nostrils flaring like a bull ready to charge. "Don't fucking lie to me! Victor told me you took someone upstairs. He couldn't find the receipt. You know damn well I sign off on who you fuck personally! Who was it?"
My body relaxed, and I crossed my arms defiantly. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
"Don't fucking play with me."
I smirked. "I'm immune to your poison now, Trevor."
I grinned wider when he didn't reply.
"That's what you are to me. Pure fucking poison. At first, I wanted it. You were like a drug. But eventually, I realized if I kept drinking it, it was going to kill me. It almost did, several times." I held up my fingers, counting each situation. "When I cut my wrist, OD'd on Bliss, jumped from the fucking wall. I wanted it to kill me because I knew I had nobody to blame but myself. I believed your lies. But when you dragged me back, I realized I'm immune. I'm not afraid of you anymore. So, I'll fuck anyone I please, and there is nothing you can do about it." I glanced sassily down at my nails. "He had a big cock, too. Filled me right up. God, it felt so fucking good."
Trevor slammed me against the wall. I would have cowered just days before, but not anymore. He was playing right into my hands. I needed to keep him angry.
"Who was it?" he demanded again.
I grinned evilly. "Why do you want to know? So you can kill him like you killed Alex?" Trevor retreated back a step, and his jaw hung slightly open. He didn't respond, so I kept going. "That's why you showed me the news. To show me what you're capable of."
"Alex was trying to steal you away from me." Hobbs' expression was crazed as he continued, "I know you fucked him. You think he cared about you, but he only wanted to own you. Just like they all want to own you because you make money." He leaned in close. "I killed him because he was trying to take you away from me. Just like I will kill anyone else who attempts to steal you. You are my love. My obsession and I will not lose you. So, tell me, Isaac, who did you take upstairs?"
I couldn't suppress a laugh. It was a bit maniacal. I couldn't believe he flat-out said it. Then again, why wouldn't he? Who would I tell? Who would believe me? He was rich and powerful. He could pay people off. Sighing happily, I muttered, "Checkmate."
Trevor cocked his head in utter confusion until I unzipped my shirt, showing off the bug stuck to my chest. His eyes became wild. "You're wearing a wire?"
A grin was still plastered on my face as I nodded.
"They'll kill me for this!"
I shrugged, and his expression darkened. He lunged at me, wrapping his massive hands tightly around my neck. "You're going with me then!"
I pulled at him, but it did no good. I couldn't breathe. He wasn't letting any air through. Pressure built up in my head, and black dots began to dance along my vision. This was it. The poison within him was finally going to kill me. How ironic that it would be during the only time in my life where I honestly wanted to live. I wanted a life with Vic. I wanted my freedom, and Trevor was taking it all away with his two bare hands. I would die as his slave. Belonging to him instead of myself.
The room got gradually darker. I couldn't hold my own weight. There was a crashing sound, and Trevor was screaming, but I couldn't understand what was going on. I couldn't hear anything but the pounding of my heart. Eventually, even that began to settle down until I could see nothing at all.