Chapter 3
Chapter three
Sage
I’ve been sick with worry for a week. I didn’t sleep at all the night after I got home from Barrett’s club.
When he never showed up to get rid of me, a nuisance I’m sure, the churning of my stomach eased, but never went away.
With each day that passed and I didn’t hear from him and that Adam didn’t turn up dead, despair took a stronger hold on my heart. How can I protect Nova?
She refuses to leave Adam, positive she loves him and that is enough.
I think she’s scared. Scared of what her life will look like and what she might be capable of on her own.
I don’t blame her. She has every right to be terrified, but I know there’s more to it.
She really does love him, or loves some version of him he fed to her and continues to feed the rest of the world.
The entire family sees what’s happening and no one will do anything.
Nothing more than talking to Nova, but we’ve all tried hard enough that Nova shuts most of us out.
I won’t let her shut me out. I’m all up in her business as much as possible, as long it doesn’t make things worse for her with Adam.
I’ve learned to time my visits, and not step inside all the time.
I try to have a reason to stop by. When I can convince Nova to leave the house, I get her to meet me somewhere and keep her out as long as I dare.
I’m waiting at the restaurant now for her. She canceled our last brunch date and I knew it was because her ribs still bothered her. This is the longest I’ve gone without seeing her and I need to know things aren’t worse. I need to know Adam at least let her ribs heal before beating her again.
I don’t know the worst of her situation. There are scars I see in her eyes, hear in her voice. Nova needs freedom and help to heal. That’s all I want for her. To be safe and happy. She deserves it. She’s lived through someone else’s fair share of hell. This life was never meant for her.
Which leaves me unsure what to do next. I don’t think I can muster the strength to face Barrett again. To put myself under his intensity and keep my chin high as if I have any right to demand anything from him.
Nova walks in, keeping my thoughts away from Barrett and what I need to do. She’s walking slowly, but straight. It’s costing her to stay upright, but I’m glad she came.
Standing, I meet her on her side of the table and give her a hug. I’m wrapped around her as far as I can get and close enough to press my cheek to hers, but my touch is gentle. I don’t want to cause her more pain.
“Hey, sis.” I don’t ask her how she is. No matter what she says, it will be a lie.
“Hey.”
Keeping one arm around her, I help her sit, making it look like I just don’t want to let go of the hug. I don’t. “What have you been doing to stay busy lately?” Nova picks up a new hobby every so often. She’s bored when she isn’t fearing her safety.
“I’ve been watching a lot of old movies lately. Classics and hidden gems. Have you ever watched Funny Girl?”
“I haven’t. But watching old movies sounds fun.”
“Has work been busy?” Right on time. Nova never lets the conversation stay on her for long.
I might be able to ask one more question, but she’s practiced turning those back around on me without answering herself.
The more time passed, I stopped trying. I know the only way to change things is to get rid of her husband.
As terrified as I am, I have to go back to Barrett. It’s worth the risk. The risk of my life and safety for my sister. As long as Barrett still follows through and gets rid of Adam.
“Work is work for me. I don’t have any ambitions to climb the ladder.
It’s something I’m good at, but that’s as far as it goes for me.
You know that. I like having balance and time to travel.
” I sell what I need to and only take on the clients and properties I want.
I’ve been there long enough that I have that freedom.
I could have more, but the moment I start to stress due to work, I back off.
Life isn’t worth giving yourself over to one thing or one person.
Watching Nova in her marriage has taught me that.
I pass Nova a menu the server left with me when she sat me at the table. Nova pretends to look through it, but orders the same Caesar salad as every other time. I try to choose something different as much as possible, if only to help inspire Nova to make a change, even a small one.
These brunches aren’t what they used to be.
We used to talk about anything and everything, drinking way too many mimosas and eating rich foods we’d regret later, but now it’s coffee, salads, and conversations about our cousins and their offspring.
Twice a year, the family hosts a gathering—almost like a reunion.
Adam always agrees to come, but it’s a show.
Nova and I have talked about the last reunion over the past three brunches. Sometimes I wonder if Nova remembers the conversations or if her memory is only doing what it needs to survive. I go along with it as if we haven’t laughed at the same shenanigans of the little ones several times before.
This brunch is going to be short. Nova’s shoulders slouch further every few minutes. But at least she’s still here. Still alive.
I gesture for the bill when she isn’t looking. The last time she paid, she ended up with a sprained wrist.
The server is on her way over with the bill when a customer walks in, pausing in front of her. My lungs seize. He’s standing with his back to me, but my instincts know something is wrong. I studied those shoulders too closely a week ago while he trapped me between them and the wall.
He turns with the server who shows him to an empty table beside us.
His gaze is heavy. Deep blue eyes see past my skin and all the way to my soul.
To the fear and terror I can’t hide from seeing him.
I had to put myself through an hour of pep talks to build the courage to walk into his club and face him. I haven’t had the same preparation now.
Barrett’s lips lift on one side as he slides into the seat.
I don’t know why he’s here. In public. I expected him to come for me in the middle of the night with no witnesses and no one to hear me scream.
Is he trying to tell me he’s onto my bluff?
Or is this his way of telling me the job is done?
A sliver of something else weaves around my fear.
Calling it excitement makes me feel like a terrible person.
Sure, I hired a hit on my brother-in-law, but it’s to save someone else.
Nova’s life is worth the black mark on my soul.
The server turns around and sets the bill down beside me. I fumble to pull my card out of my purse, almost dumping the contents on the floor.
Deep breath. I need to take a deep breath and steady myself. My chest hurts as I try.
I take the machine from the server and follow the prompts. Inhale. Okay. Exhale. Cheuquing. Inhale. Insert PIN. Exhale. Okay.
“All set, Nova?”
“Yeah. I need to get home anyway. I have lots to do today.”
Lies. But we really need to get out of here. More customers block the other side of the table, forcing me to walk past Barrett.
Long fingers slide around mine, pressing something into my palm. I gasp and look down. Barrett lets his hand slide from mine and I instantly tighten my hold around whatever he passed me. He doesn’t say anything, only raises a brow and turns back to his menu.
Nova is already waiting by the door. There’s a flow of customers leaving the restaurant, and I use the cover to peek at what Barrett gave me.
It’s a small piece of paper folded in half.
Opening it, I read. We have a deal, pet.
As if I’m not already having enough trouble breathing. He’s following through. Or he has.
Once I reach my sister, we exit together.
“I’m driving you home.” Nova didn’t have her own car, not for the past few years. Adam sold it, stating they needed to save money, and she didn’t need it since she didn’t work. When Nova went anywhere, she had to take a taxi or I drove her.
“No, it’s okay. I’m sure you need to get back to work.”
If I’m right, I won’t be going back to work today or for several days. “I’m done for the day. I’m parked right there and a taxi could take a while. Come on. Lunch is never long enough,” I cajole.
“Okay.” Nova caves with a sigh.
I’m on edge the entire drive to Nova’s house. My instincts are screaming. Barrett knew where to find me, and he showed up like that to give me a message aside from the little piece of paper. I can’t hide from him.
I’m not sure what I expected when I pulled into the driveway. But two police officers waiting outside the door wasn’t it.