Chapter Seven #4
“Thanks. And thanks for this.” I held up the envelope and saluted myself with it.
“Let me know what you want next time,” I said, turning around and praying I could walk out of the office and get off the lot without getting a bullet in the back of my head.
I’d taken no more than two steps before Josiah stopped me.
“Cam.”
I stopped inches from the door, cursing the fact that I heard a whispered curse coming through the earpiece.
I’m sure it had been from Mars since both agents had promised that only one of them would speak while I did this, so I wouldn’t hear conflicting orders through my earpiece.
I turned around and Josiah was leaning over the desk with both hands planted on its surface. “Yeah?”
“I’ll need you for something special next time.”
“W-what?”
“I’ll let you know when I’m ready, and one more thing.”
“Yeah?” I asked, trying desperately to keep the nerves out of my voice.
“The next time I contact you, I’ll be in Los Angeles. I’m planning on relocating there and I’ll be taking my best men with me.”
“Best men?” I glanced at the two goons before Josiah laughed.
“Not them. I was talking about you and some of my other…boys.” He meant thieves.
I was shocked down to my toes. He knew my mom was in a care home here in Vegas and he knew I provided for her. Why would he say he needed me in L.A. when I took care of her and paid her bills. “I-If you’re talking about me, Josiah, you should know I can’t go to L.A. My mom—”
“Oh, didn’t I say? I’m arranging for your mother to be moved.”
I felt a shiver of rage go through me as I thought about how presumptuous that was.
Not only that, but he knew how helpless it would make me.
I couldn’t say no to him if he took charge of not only my life but held my mom’s life in his hands.
He knew I’d do anything to keep her safe and even if he didn’t, I was devoted to her.
By offering…no…by telling me he was moving her to L.A.
, he was basically saying he had me by the nuts.
He was holding me hostage to do his bidding and as long as I did, she’d be safe.
“You can’t do that!” I shouted, leaning on the desk before I could stop myself. “You can’t take her from Shady Grove.” I felt sudden movement behind me and then, there were strong arms gripping both of my biceps. “Hey, let go!”
“Cam! What’s ‘appening?” Mars said in my ear. “If you need us, for shit’s sake, say the word,” he reminded me.
But I couldn’t say it. I couldn’t ask him if he’d fucking repainted the office now. It was too late. If I dared say something that stupid, he’d know I’d double-crossed him, and he’d kill me before Mars got to me. Then, worst of all, they’d kill Mom.
“I’ve got it,” I said quietly, praying Mars would understand.
“What?” Josiah asked, coming around the desk. “You’ve got what?”
I cleared my throat, feeling the grips on my biceps increase. “I’ve got it. You just want to make it easier for me to see her.”
Josiah stopped, and I gazed up at him. He cocked his head before nodding slowly.
“That’s right. I plan on moving her because if I’m asking you to relocate, of course, I must relocate her as well.
” He reached out and patted me on the shoulder as I heard Mars again.
“I know how close the two of you are, dear boy.” The implied threat freaked me out.
“Use your bloody word, come on,” Mars said in my ear.
“I’ve got it, thanks,” I said slowly, looking right at Josiah even though I was directing every slow word at Mars.
Josiah nodded, patting my shoulder again before jerking his chin at his two goons. They dropped their hands, releasing my biceps instantly. “Good. I’m so glad we’re clear on that.”
“T-thanks,” I stammered, narrowing my eyes at him. “When is this going to happen?”
Josiah shrugged. “I’ll be leaving tomorrow.”
Fucking tomorrow? I tried not to panic as I lifted my chin. “Well, I’ve got packing to do then.”
“Yesss,” he said, hissing the word like a fucking viper.
“Of course you do, Cam, and since you’re not feeling very good, you really should go lie down.
Get some rest. Since you’re unwell, I’ll give you another day to recuperate.
My men will be at your apartment the day after tomorrow to pick you up.
Don’t worry about your belongings. We’ll have those picked up.
Just make sure to mark the boxes you want to take with you.
Don’t worry about your furniture. Your new place comes fully furnished.
Your mother will be relocated in a few days.
I’ll let you know where she’ll be staying.
” He held up his hand as if he were being magnanimous.
“No worries about the cost of the relocation. I’m handling all of that at my expense. ”
Big…fucking…whoop. How generous. I was seething. I shook out my arms, still gripping the envelope tightly in my fist, ruing the day I ever got into bed with this psycho. “I’m going then.”
“You do that,” Josiah said, pivoting on his heel and returning to his desk chair as I slowly walked to the door and threw it open, exiting the office on shaky legs, still vibrating with rage.
I was caught in the snake’s trap, and with the FBI involved, this wasn’t ending anytime soon.
How in the hell was I going to get out of it?