41
A Warrior’s Call
Amanda
I wake gradually, unwilling to face the day. My body aches, I’m grumpy already, and I just plain don’t want to. My eyes pop open whether I like it or not.
Ace is sitting by the bed, his head down and elbows braced on his knees. His hands are clasped together as if he’s praying about something. He doesn’t seem the type.
I let out a disgruntled sigh and sit up. I’m not waiting for whatever this is going to be. He broke in. Again. I slept through it, which proves how tired I was. He dragged a chair in from somewhere, and I was too busy snoring to beat the shit out of him for breaking in. Again!
I get out of bed without any finesse, too sore to pretend I’m feeling amazing. If he wants to see morning Amanda, he can. And he can swallow the grumpy attitude that comes with it. I don’t care about impressing anyone. I’m still dressed from last night with my shoes on, ready to go.
“You know I didn’t trash your place, right?” He asks in a subdued voice.
I make a show of looking around the floor and nod decisively. “I don’t see any shredded panties from this break-in. The odds are in your favor.”
I believed Tera when she explained to me how innocent he was, but I’m not showing my hand to him. I feel too vulnerable and raw to have that kind of faith put back in his hands for safekeeping.
“You know better,” he snaps, suddenly enraged.
I turn back to look at him with a cold stare. “I thought I knew better about a lot of things. You put yourself on that list, not me.”
The rage in his eyes cracks to reveal pain. It’s so raw that I almost cringe at the sight. My heart aches from seeing it. I want it to stop.
A gentle knock on the door makes Ace shout, “Get fuckin’ lost!”
He rallied quickly.
I don’t hesitate to add, “Come in.”
The furious look he gives me makes me want to flip him off. I choose to pretend he isn’t there instead.
“Breakfast is served,” a calm voice calls from the other side of the door. Whoever this woman is, she seems completely unaffected by Ace’s yell. I would have been in his face, threatening him with a stapler for it.
I roll my eyes and open the door, watching a maid walk away. Uniform and everything. She’s younger than I am and has a sway to her hips that makes me jealous.
No. That’s none of my business. As soon as this is all over I’m out of here. Or I’ll die in the middle of everything. Either way, these men get nothing out of me anymore.
I follow after her with Ace hot on my heels. He’s breathing down my neck like he did when we first met. I’m ashamed of the fact that my body reacts to it. I can smell his cologne. My heart twists which makes my lips tighten.
We enter the same dining room as before with the same seat placement. At least I recognize the food this time. My stomach betrays me by grumbling angrily.
As soon as he sees me Jake starts making me a plate, sampling everything with a thoughtful look. It’s pretty hilarious, especially when everyone watches him with flat glares. I feel the urge to laugh come up and then dissipate just as fast.
I’m not friends with these people. I never was. I need to get that through my head. Jake is using me to get one up on the rest of these assholes. That’s fine with me but I can’t get chummy with Jake over it.
The remembered feel of his lips on mine mixed with Ace at my back makes me wince. I will not give in to these urges. For my own sanity.
I pull out the chair and practically throw it back as I move to the side. It hits Ace and bounces back to me, so I take a seat. He doesn’t grunt or even make a sound about how forcefully I yanked it out, but he does take two quick steps back afterward. I’m disappointed at the lack of reaction.
As soon as I’m seated, he walks to his place and sits down, glaring at me the whole way.
“I’d like to talk to you,” he says with a low tone of anger building up.
“Go for it,” I tell him without much interest.
“Alone.”
“Keep breaking in. That seems to work for you. Jake bought me plenty of panties.”
Ace’s teeth gnash as Jake hands me the plate with a bright smile. “This is safe, meine Seele .”
Like he would know after only a few seconds.
I cut into my pancakes, keeping my head down while Ace berates Jake about buying me panties. It makes Cade start up to defend his bestie. It’s excellent background noise for thinking. All I need is a few guitars and drums, and this could be a song.
I want to look up more information on the names I have. See who is left standing after the tie-ups from last night. They have my phone, and I doubt they’ll give it back. I have a TV in the room. I could watch the news. Other than that, what am I supposed to do? I know they won’t allow me to leave.
Gabriel clears his throat, stopping the argument in its tracks as a maid enters. Another young woman is really happy to be at work. I can tell by how much she fawns over Gabriel. I want to tell her not to fall for it, but I doubt she would listen.
She gives each of them the same doting attention. When she gets to me, there’s a pause that seems pregnant. Her thorough examination of me as I peacefully eat breakfast is annoying as hell.
She leans down to pretend to whisper in my ear while speaking at a normal volume. I don’t like that she’s in my personal space. My hands tighten over the fork and knife as I stare at the syrup dripping off golden fluffiness. The condescending tone that she uses makes my hand twitch over the knife.
“Would you like a hairbrush?”
I slowly turn my face to see her. I wonder what kind of rat’s nest I have going on. She takes in my lack of makeup, bruises, and wrinkled clothes with a look of disgust. She’s calling me out on not being presentable straight out of bed. If this is what it’s like to have staff waiting on me, I don’t want it.
“I’m trying out a new style. It’s called go fuck yourself,” I deadpan with a toothy smile. She flushes, her gaze darting over the men present.
I go back to my food but she keeps going, trying to be quiet this time.
“Do you know where you are?” She hisses with a stubborn tilt to her lips. “You could at least be polite.”
“No,” I tell her flatly and shove a forkful of pancake in my mouth. I turn my face to hers, so close our noses almost touch, and start chewing loudly with my mouth open.
Gabriel clears his throat, gaining her attention. Her flip from a condescending sneer to a bright smile is startling. I know the effect they all have on women, but to see it in action again is almost nauseating. I bet I acted the same way last week. A dog panting for any scrap of attention. The knowledge demoralizes me instantly.
I finish my bite and stare at the leftover food. I’m not hungry anymore.
“Was there something you needed, sir?” She asks with sparkling eyes.
“Amanda, would you like some more coffee?” Gabriel asks me in a frigid tone. His attention is on the maid, though.
“No,” I repeat and set my fork and knife aside with a sigh.
“You can go,” his eyes narrow on her, his frigid expression leaving no room for arguments.
“Yes, sir,” her smile falters. When she turns she takes me in with a sneer she keeps hidden from everyone else. My plate gets snatched up as she placidly walks away.
“Put it back,” Ace barks, slamming his hand on the table.
She startles, almost dropping what’s left of the pancakes.
“Sir? She said she was done,” she tells him in a trembling voice. Her wide eyes make the sudden shift into tension real.
“Bullshit,” Cade scoffs, leaning back with his coffee.
“Am I interrupting?” Shade’s deadly flat tone makes the woman startle again. She takes advantage of the distraction to get out while she can.
He stands at my side, close enough that I would have to crane my neck to see him. I’m not making that much effort.
“South is disappointed she hasn’t heard from you.”
Ok, now it’s worth the effort.
“I’d check in for roll call if I had my phone,” I tell him sweetly. I even bat my eyes as he stares down at me with a stony expression. His eyes move to the bruising over my throat and flick away quickly.
“Oh?” Shade’s head tilts as he glances at Gabriel. “Where would it be?”
“Ask these dicks,” I gesture around the table. The looks of defensive anger I get over it make me sneer.
“The phone is no longer working,” Gabriel assures him firmly.
Called it.
I scoff at the blatant lie. “That’s code for I’m keeping it so I don’t have to worry about her evil plots to steal my precious money from me.”
His cheeks redden as he stares at me. “That is not what I’m doing. The thing is broken into pieces. I’d be surprised if you haven’t cut yourself.”
He even added in bullshit concern to sweeten it.
“Good thing I came prepared,” Shade drops a box by my drink, halting Gabriel’s building tirade effectively.
It’s a familiar white box that looks brand new.
“Fully charged with the same number. The contacts have been transferred. The old phone is now a paperweight. You’re welcome.”
“I can’t pay you back for this,” I frown at the box like it has snakes inside. Hell, this is Shade. It might have something venomous in there.
“You already did.”
I glance up in confusion to find his left hand in my face. The ring he’s sporting on his ring finger is shiny and brand new.
“You got married already?” When would they have the time?
“No, I’m trying it on,” he smiles down at the jewelry happily. I take in the open joy, and a flash of humor hits me. He acts like a serial killer, and now he’s misty-eyed over getting married. He’s excited enough he’s already wearing the ring.
“You fucking sap,” I crack up, and his expression drops to a glare.
“Take the damn phone.”
“I’m buying you cuffs as your wedding present. So you feel more secure ,” I keep going with a sly grin. “Do you prefer fuzzy or typical cop cuffs? Does South like red fluff?”
He calmly reaches for my napkin and begins wadding it up. “Open your mouth.”
I wave the syrup-soaked knife at him with a malicious smile.
“I was going to get her one today,” Gabriel interrupts in a frosty tone.
“Now you don’t have to,” Shade tells him with a smile that doesn’t look happy. He grabs the box off the table and starts to open it. “Amanda, I need to fill you in on a few things. Walk?”
I’m just starting to stand when Mikael gets up, knocking his chair back until it wobbles on its legs and resettles without falling.
“We are all in this together, Daniels. We need to be in the loop as well.”
The way he has his fists clenched makes it obvious he’s ready to ‘insist’ on Shade sharing. Or Daniels. Or fucking Duke Alexander the Third, whatever. Ace doesn’t look any better. Jake is leaning back, watching Shade with a calculating stare. Cade is slowly spinning the knife by his plate on the table.
Shade doesn’t look impressed with any of it.
“Just spill it. The damage is done. Who gives a fuck what they hear anymore,” I grumble and toss my knife onto the table.
“No. This is regarding your widow status and has nothing to do with anyone else here,” Shade says blankly as my shoulders sag.
“Awesome,” I mutter with a sudden lack of enthusiasm and stand to walk out with him. “Am I getting arrested again?”
He leads me through the house like he’s been here a million times. We get outside and walk farther into the immaculate lawn.
“I’m surprised the grass isn’t made of rolled bills,” I grumble and kick at the greenery just in case.
“I found the account.”
I stop so fast I almost faceplant. “What? I thought you said-”
“Shut up and act sad.”
My jaw drops, and my eyes slide to the side. Cade and Mikael are at the open door, watching us with scowls.
The best I can manage is confusion, he's out of luck on the sobbing widow act.
Shade hands me the new phone. It’s open to a website for a bank I’ve never heard of. Out of country. The amount of zeros in the bank balance makes me feel faint.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” my voice is a weak rasp as I stare.
“What do you want to do with it?”
My eyes bulge as they meet his. “ Me? I don’t want anything to do with this shit.”
“So withdraw it all and sink it in an ocean,” he nods firmly and moves to walk away.
I grab his arm to stop him. I may not want anything to do with this, but I think I know a few people who would.
“Wait.”
He doesn’t say anything as he glances back at me with a raised brow.
“Can you get this money to the people Blake ripped off? Maybe the PI’s family. I… I think it was him down there.”
“Yeah,” he turns back to me with a frown. “That won’t take all of it, though.”
“Set the rest aside in another hidden account for emergencies.”
“Emergencies,” he raises a brow with disbelief.
“If they have people who are supposed to work in those places, they’re going to need help.” It makes me sick to even think about it. “This could get them home or into therapy or pay off hospital bills if they need it. Just… emergencies , you know?”
His blank face cracks a little as he looks down at the phone in my hands. “Just when I think you’re a ruthless bitch you prove me wrong.”
“Oh, fuck you, man,” I snap, raising a fist in a weak threat to hit him.
“And we’re back,” he claps his hands together briskly. “It will take time for me to get everything out and secured. I won’t move on the payouts until this is rounded up. The last thing we want is random people getting killed for mysterious money getting put in their accounts.”
“Good call,” I mutter and hurry to close out the banking information. I feel scummy just looking at it.
“About Blake.”
I give him a wary look.
“The photos are at his place or Fullerton’s. I’m going to look. I doubt they said anything about them to any colleagues. They’ll have them hidden somewhere they could keep an eye on them.”
“Or they destroyed them,” I frown. “It’s too dangerous at his place. They’ll expect me to come back. And they could have blown them up when they did the fucking playhouse. ”
“I’m setting up surveillance to see who decides to come looking.”
I let out a weary sigh and rub my eyes before I give him a disgruntled look. “If anyone starts a fire, just let it burn. Getting insurance money for arson somehow feels cleaner than touching anything of Blake’s.”
I shudder at the thought.
Shade cracks a smile and nods, making his way back inside.
I keep standing there, staring out into the acres of clean-cut grass around me.
I’m a widow.
Am I supposed to pop out of the shadows to plan the funeral? I’d rather let him rot. His parents are gone. No extended family. The Blake line ends with him. Probably a good thing.
My phone rings, and I glance at the caller ID with a frown. It says Unknown, but I recognize the number all too well.
I have to answer. If I don’t, there will be hell to pay.
I clear my throat and hit accept. No matter how I prepare myself my voice comes out dispassionate.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Oh, my baby. My precious girl. We heard. How are you doing?” She asks me in a sad tone. She even sniffles.
“Great,” I say flatly.
There’s a pause and a few whispers between my parents farther away from the phone.
“So, we aren’t playing sad? That’s ok?” Mom asks with rising hope.
“It’s fine,” I can’t help chuckling.
“ Yes! Ding fucking dong, the dick is dead!” She screams at full volume.
“That’s a bit much, dear,” Dad tries to interrupt, but he sounds more like he’s cheering her on.
“When’s the funeral? I’ll start packing,” Mom talks over him gleefully.
A cold chill rolls down my spine so hard I shudder and hunch my shoulders.
“How did you find out?” I ask cautiously.
“Oh, that friend of his was looking for you and told us,” Mom’s voice doesn’t change from a happy tone.
“Which friend?” My voice goes flat.
They’re calling my parents to find me. It’s a tiny step toward going for a visit. Or they’ll catch my parents during the supposed funeral. Fuck.
“Karter?” Mom asks Dad in confusion.
“Yeah, I think so,” Dad seems to notice that my tone isn’t as ecstatic as it should be.
There’s no way Jakowlski called them. He died last night, and they would have been calling me nonstop as soon as they heard Blake was dead.
“This morning?” I swallow hard.
“Yes,” Mom says belligerently. It makes my anger at the situation amp up until I’m grinding my teeth.
“Neither of you are coming here. Go on a vacation,” I demand on a low hiss.
“Excuse me? Watch your tone, Amanda Jane,” Mom snaps in a haughty tone. “I do what I want.”
I forgot that the codes Dad and I made up in case of emergency calls were not mom-approved. She doesn’t get the vacation code for get the fuck away from there . Dad will. If it hasn’t been so long that he’s forgotten.
The phone gets yanked out of my hand, leaving me holding air. My lips thin as I slowly turn to see Ace, Cade, Mikael, and Jake standing in a line behind me. Mikael is the phone thief this time.
He’s about to regret that with a vengeance.
He taps the button to put it on speaker and holds it closer to his face. A height I’d have to hop around to reach. His mouth opens to make some kind of demand.
If he thinks I’m going to save him from whatever he’s about to hear, he’s mistaken. The fucker deserves it. I cross my arms over my chest and raise a brow.
Mom’s voice screams out of the phone, stopping whatever he was about to say. It sounds like she’s already full-speed downhill with her tirade. The volume has Mikael rearing back with surprise. Everyone looks shocked at the enraged woman Mikael summoned with the tap of a button.
“- with a grenade launcher! I will walk down the streets of that cesspit of a town butt-naked with a flame thrower and a smile. His office! Any place that gave that moronic motherfucker a raise needs to be napalmed. And you are going to give me an address to that building so I can get it done, young lady! Anyone with the last name Blake is on the chopping block!”
“Now, Suzanne,” my Dad trails off in the least helpful, comforting tone ever.
“Don’t you now, Suzanne, me, Edward! I’m going so I can spit all over his corpse, bury him, dig him up, and piss all over the casket. He’ll never rest! Even death won’t see me coming. Neither one of you pussies can stop me, either! Where’s my goddamn cutting board! ”
“Top drawer,” I mutter flatly. Dad repeats it in a softer tone. Mikael looks like I hit him in the face with my baton. It’s a beautiful sight.
“ And the meat cleaver! ”
Even I cringe at the shriek of rage. Cade’s eyes are wide as he takes a step back.
“Pumpkin?” Dad asks, sounding a little panicked.
The pet name makes every one of the men across from me narrow their eyes. I don’t appreciate the sudden hate because my Dad still sees me as a kid.
“The wrack by the stove, like it always is,” I rub my face in exasperation.
“If we’re not careful, it’s going to be buried with whatever pieces are left of that asshole,” Dad mutters. His voice fades out as he guides Mom to the weaponry she prefers.
“ Why are there only onions to chop? ”
“You wanted to be able to cry on demand, remember?”
Her continued ranting supports the violent sound of chopping. I let out a rueful sigh, my lips turning up in a smile.
“Code talk, pumpkin. You know the rules.”
Dad sounds closer while my mom’s voice fades even more into the distance. He has his serious voice on, and he’s getting out of her earshot.
The rules. He wants me to tell him as much as I can with very little information so he has deniability when Mom yells at him over something I’ve done. He says his surprised act is more effective that way. To me, he oversells it and makes it obvious.
I try to grab for the phone but Mikael lifts it higher with a dark glare. Asshole.
“Nine one one. I’m putting you on mute because I’m going to get lost in Mexico. I’m doing some solo dental work. I mean it , Dad.” I flounder after that. I can’t really say anything else, or he’ll start investigating. That’s something I do not want.
As soon as the word Dad leaves my lips, the four guys stiffen up with surprise. I can tell they’re trying to calculate what’s going on. The fact that my father is asking questions gives this a new dimension. And Mikael’s dumb ass is the one who took the phone. He looks ashamed of himself, all his silent anger draining away in a helpless tide.
Jake looks excited. He and Ace seem to be the only ones who realize the person chopping the hell out of some onions is my mom. Both of them look approving. As if she wouldn’t turn that cleaver on them in a heartbeat.
Dad takes a second to think about it, and Mikael’s hand relaxes on the phone. If he thinks my mom is done, he’s made mistake number two. As soon as she finds out Dad isn’t in eyesight, she’s going to hunt him down. We have limited time here. The phone is still close to his ear, too. I’m not saying anything.
Dad lets out a weary sigh. “We haven’t done this in years. Hang on, I want to make sure I’m getting the message. Big trouble. No contact. You’re hiding. You’re going to beat someone up. And some smarmy motherfucker called this morning to let us know that moron is dead to see if you’re here already, so you want us out of town. You’re keeping us on the bench.”
Mikael’s eyes narrow in confusion. Cade rubs a hand over the back of his neck. They’re staring at me as if they can psychically tell me what to say next, and I’m not getting the signals.
“I’ll tell your mother we’re going on vacation to celebrate your freedom. Mainly because I don’t have enough bail money for the both of you. Don’t make me pick a side, Amanda. Your mother does not get calmer over time.”
I scoff at the imagery of him bailing me out and trying to explain it to Mom when she’s released. Although she’d probably handle it better than I did.
“I don’t have a place to hide you, Dad. Just leave me behind.”
“That’s why you’re my favorite child,” he huffs a laugh and then gets serious again. “We aren’t allowed to know anything? At all?”
“I’m your only fucking child, and absolutely not ,” I snap.
“Alright, pumpkin. No more questions. And language. If your Mom hears you, that will make this worse. We need to take her down a few notches. Distract her before she can dig deeper.”
I nod, unable to say anything. It kills me that I can’t have their backup for this. But it could kill them if I let it happen. This phone call will have to be enough.
“I’ll handle your mom on my side. After that, you’re going to take care of business. I know you’ve got whatever this is. I believe in you. No teeth left, Amanda Jane. Just like I taught you.”
“Soft food for life,” my brows furrow as I accept that imagery and start popping my knuckles.
“That’s right,” Dad sounds absolutely gleeful about it.
“Oh, hell no! There won’t be any secret code meetings today, assholes!”
“Times up,” Dad warns grimly. His voice turns gentle in a snap. “She was just explaining that it’s going to be a cremation, dear. She’s not even going to the funeral. I didn’t want you to be disappointed.”
“Bullshit! I see right through you both.”
“I’m three states away. You can’t see me at all,” I mutter darkly.
“You put that sass away right this second, Amanda Jane!”
“She still has the cleaver,” Dad’s tight voice makes me wince. “Distract, pumpkin.”
I freeze up, all my excuses or denials deserting me like they always do when I face my furious Mom. She would never hurt me, but she’s terrifying.
“Is she like this often?” Jake asks me in pure excitement.
The silence that follows should have crickets in it. If we needed a distraction, we have it now. I give Jake a wide-eyed look of horror and hurry to correct.
“Mom-”
“Who was that?” She demands, all her anger on the back burner for excitement to start boiling. “Are you with a man already?”
“Mom,” my tone drops into a stern warning that she ignores.
“I have the cleaver,” Dad calls out in triumph from farther away. “Great distraction!”
“I don’t know if I like this. I want you to come home, not shack up with some man in that town. How open is he to moving? How much did he hear? Did I scare him? Tell me you don’t have me on speakerphone.”
“Do not start,” I grit out with a glare at the innocent phone.
“You should have said something,” she bites back. “You have two matches on the app, and Mrs. Hendrix has her grandson all ready for you.”
My jaw drops at that assurance.
“ What? ” Dad barks out angrily. “What the fuck does that mean?”
“You really set me up on a dating app? Seriously, Mom?”
She’s oblivious to the glares that are focused on the phone. Even Jake doesn’t look happy anymore.
“I’m leaving you to your mysterious crap with your father. You leave me to mine,” she tells me in a firm tone. “If the guy you picked can convince me he killed Justin with his bare hands, I’ll consider him. Especially if there was torture involved. He’s starting at a low point because your taste in men is horrible. Until then, I’m rooting for BikerDaddy046.”
“Abso-fucking-lutely not, Mom.” I can feel the heat rising in my face. I’m not sure if it’s panic, anger, or embarrassment.
“Language! You can’t let a man hear you be yourself until he’s in love with you, Amanda,” she huffs angrily. “You sound just like your father when you curse.”
I reel at that hypocrisy.
I hear my dad call in the background, “Good. Give them hell, pumpkin. Free pass for cursing and dental work. I’ll deal with Mrs. Hendrix.”
“Edward! Don’t ruin this! And stop looking, I moved the shotgun. Amanda, no knocking teeth out!”
I can hear my groan of frustration echoed by my dad.
“I need to go, Mom,” I tell her in resignation.
“You can have a period of mourning ,” she says the last word in disgust. I cover my face with a hand as I listen to the hopeful turn in her voice. “Then you can bring him around. I can’t wait to meet him.”
“How about you and Dad go for a little vacation without internet and relax? All your worries are over now,” I bite out through gritted teeth.
“Does he like snickerdoodles?” She asks me in a saccharine, sweet tone.
“ Suzanne! ” Dad barks out furiously.
“What? BikerDaddy046 does.”
“ Fuck no ,” I yell in horror. “My mourning or lack thereof will continue into infinity. Hashtag single forever.”
“Hashtag, thank fucking God,” Dad adds.
“Hashtag, I want grandkids ,” she scolds me.
I choke on my own spit. “ What the hell, Mom? Get off the phone!”
The amount of men hearing this makes me want to suddenly develop South’s invisibility power.
“I’ve been waiting to hold a baby in my arms for years. Don’t you dare hold out on me for a second longer. That idiot is finally out of your life, and you have plenty of options now. Flush your birth control pills.”
“It’s a rod in my arm, and I’m going to cement it in there. Besides, what are you going to do? Hire a man to impregnate me? Is that what Mrs. Hendrix’s grandson is for? Jesus Mom!” The more I think about it, the more horrifying it becomes.
“You are going to give me a grandchild come hell or high water, Amanda Jane,” she insists stubbornly.
“I’ll go to a clinic and have some eggs saved. You can pick the father. You can even raise it. Deal of a lifetime. I’m hanging up now. I love you both.” I frantically gesture to Mikael to hang up. He’s too dazed to notice.
“We’re Jeffersons ,” Mom starts off, and I droop in exhaustion.
“And we don’t stop fighting,” I sigh as my dad enthusiastically echoes the sentiment.
“I love you, Amanda. I’m going online to shop for baby clothes!”
“Suzanne, get it under control, or she’ll never come home-”
She hangs up, and I sag in relief.
“Your Mama wants grandbabies?” Jake teases me with a wide grin.
Mikael is holding the phone as if it’s a bomb, and if he moves, it will explode. Jake doesn’t have the same concern. He snatches it out of his hand with glee.
“I’m not discussing that with anyone but my lunatic mother,” I tell him firmly and hold my hand out for the phone.
“I like snickerdoodles,” Cade mutters in confusion.
“Fuck off,” I snap, startling him. “She didn’t mean the cookies . It’s her code for red-headed kids, dipshit.”
“Shall I call her back and tell her how rude you’re being to prospective fathers?” He taunts with a wicked grin.
“Enjoy your interrogation. Maybe you should have a sperm count ready just in case,” I roll my eyes and shake my hand. Jake gently sets it on my palm and curls my fingers around it.
“I can hold a phone by myself,” I glare, yanking my hand away.
“Amanda.”
My lip curls up in a sneer. I tilt my head, refusing to look at Gabriel.
“We need to get to work. Which one of us would you like to stay with you?”
“No one,” I spit out. “I’m not leaving, and I’m not stealing anything. The babysitter isn’t necessary.”
“That isn’t what I meant,” he snaps at me.
“I don’t care,” I tell him in a voice flattened by cold anger.
“I’m sorry about the arrest. They manipulated me into making the decision. We thought the proof was absolute.”
I’m hearing him, but not really. All I’m getting out of this is that he can have sex with me if he’s desperate, but he can’t trust me. Another man who’s after what he wants with no regard to anyone else.
“Work calls,” I raise my chin defiantly. “If you need an update, call a maid.”
That was probably not a good idea. Who knows what they’ll say? I’m torn between wanting to get kicked out and pretending I’m safe here. I’m sure if I mind my manners, things will go smoothly. I’m not interested in doing that.
“We will be back at six,” Gabriel says through gritted teeth.
I don’t respond, pulling up my phone as a distraction. Shade moved my games, too. How thorough.
They linger for a minute and then leave, some calling out goodbyes that I ignore. I give it another thirty minutes to go back inside.