35. Sterling
35
STERLING
I flick the lighter, watching the bright flame burst from it like a golden flare. I let it dance in the air for a few seconds before flicking it closed.
I flick it back open again and stare again.
“What’s that?”
I look up at Mal as he enters my office and walks straight up to my desk.
“Fire.”
He grimaces. “I mean that.” He jerks his chin toward the manila envelope in my other hand.
“An engagement card from Rory,” I say.
I hold it between my thumb and forefinger and pass the lighter underneath the corner of it. It catches alight instantly. Heat moves closer to my skin, until a familiar flash, like that of a sudden pinching wind hitting at full force, makes me curse.
I drop it onto an empty metal tray on my desk. The edges lift as smoke curls up toward the ceiling.
“Rory? That little shit needs putting in his place.”
“I thought he was in it,” I reply, my stomach twisting as the paper turns to black ash on the tray.
Burned to a crisp.
Mal sinks into the seat on the other side of my desk, resting one ankle over his knee, and stares at the remnants of the envelope. His grim expression matches how I feel.
Rory’s still hurting Hallie. She said she’s not bothered by this little display he’s put on with the card. But I can tell she’s playing it down for me. She says he can’t do anything to her now everything is out in the open. But she should be free to enjoy working with the new clients she’s taken on, and free to plan our wedding, without Rory tainting it with his disgusting touch.
“I’ll apply more pressure. Let him know we’re aware he’s stealing money from his clients. All that evidence Denver found should shut him up once and for all,” I tell Mal as I lean back in my seat.
“All right.” Mal rolls his lips. “And if that’s not enough, you can tell him you’ll share these.”
He throws an envelope down on the desk that he’s been holding.
“What’s this?”
“Call it an engagement present.” He gives me a sly smile as I scoop the envelope up and pull out the contents.
“When was this?” I ask as I study the photograph on the top of the stack.
“When I went to Africa. It’s why the trip took an extra day.” He raises his brows at me.
“Is this?—?”
“Bella.” He rolls the name of his tongue with a smirk. “Frankie recommended her, and her friend, who acted as photographer. They even slipped Rory some extra drinks to get him in the spirit. A little touch in Halliday’s honor.”
I rub my hand around my jaw as I look at the image of Rory snorting up white powder off a pair of tits. I sift through the photographs. They get worse. Rory burning a fifty-pound note with a wasted grin on his face as she gives him head. Rory behind her as she’s on all fours, his face screwed up.
“Could almost feel sorry for the poor fucker. I wonder if he knows that’s how he looks when he comes. Bet Bella was glad she was facing away.” Mal snorts out a chuckle.
I flick past the photograph in disgust, looking at the final one in the pile.
“Saved the best until last,” Mal says.
I grimace at the image of Rory, laid out completely naked on the bed, his unimpressive erect dick jutting up from his body.
“Even the camera struggled to pick it up.” Mal smirks. “I gave Bella and her friend an extra tip for only getting that to work with. No wonder the prick tries to act big. He’s got a dick the size of my pinky.”
“Denver said Rory spent the night with a prostitute. I didn’t think I’d have to hear about it and see it,” I mutter.
“You’re welcome.” Mal holds out his arms with a grin. “I’ve met enough Rorys to know that that asshole will care more about people seeing his tiny cock than he will about getting investigated for theft and losing his job. It’s all jacked up pride with guys like him.”
I slide the photographs back into the envelope.
“Don’t thank me. He had it coming,” Mal says before I can speak. “I’m not going to sit back while some little fucker messes with you.” He looks at me and exhales, his voice dropping and losing its heat. “You’re happy. You deserve to be. And we’re family.”
“We are,” I agree.
“So put those in your safe.” He points to the built-in one set into the wall behind my desk. “They’re the only copies.”
I nod. “Thanks, Mal.”
“The only copies except…” He checks his watch, sucking his teeth. “Except the ones that should be arriving by courier at Rory’s office right about now.”
“You sent him these?” I bark, my fingers tightening on the envelope.
“What good’s a threat if they don’t know they’re being threatened?”
“Jesus Christ.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Hallie?—”
“Halliday doesn’t want you to be the bad guy, I get it. So I did it for you. Now you can look her in the eye when you tell her it wasn’t you.” He shrugs. “It’s not like I sent them to his parents or posted them online where they’d exist forever. Not yet anyway.”
“Mal,” I warn.
“Sterling.”
He arches a brow as I fix him with a leveling look, but he holds my eyes without backing down. He’s known me for years. And he’s right. We are family.
I shake my head. “Damn it. You mean I have to put the prick in my safe?”
“I’m sure you can find a tiny little corner for it,” he replies.
My lips curl up, matching his.
“Thanks, Mal.”
He stands and does the top button of his jacket up with one hand. “You thanked me already. Now get your ass home to that fiancée of yours. You’ve got a wedding to prepare for.” He winks at me before he leaves.
I pick up the envelope of photographs and take it to the safe, placing it inside.
I do have a wedding to prepare for.
And a fiancée who I haven’t kissed since I left for work this morning.
I grab my jacket from the back of my chair and pull out my phone to call her.
“I’m on my way home,” I rasp as soon as she answers. “You want to take off whatever you’re wearing and wait for me in our bedroom?”
I chuckle at her reply.
“Okay, Baby girl. Wait for me in the shower. But don’t start without me.”