Chapter 42
Best Revenge
Gilbert
I lie naked with only a sheet covering my waist as I stare up at the ceiling, plotting my next move. Robin might be useful for more than her money. Now that I’m thinking more clearly, I see all she has to offer in this situation.
As if reading my thoughts, she gets up from the bed, puts on a silk robe, and grabs her laptop. She comes to sit back on the bed with her back to the headboard. Reaching for one of her legs, I then run my fingertips up and down her soft skin.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” she says as she glances out the corner of her eye at me. “Who would have thought when I met you all those years ago, we’d keep in touch for so long.”
I give her a smile. Little does she know, I planned that meeting after learning she was Zah’s sophomore year roommate. I had tried to connect with the other roommate from her freshman year, but she brushed me off and didn’t buy my charm like this one did.
I’ve had Robin in my pocket since that first run-in. That worked out in my favor as she’s made quite the life for herself. Robin has gone into tech and built a multimillion-dollar company.
I’ve gotten her to fund a few things my family didn’t need to know about. Getting her to help me sneak back into the country was like taking candy from a baby. Even now, she has stars in her eyes as she looks at me.
“It’s good to see you too. Next time we shouldn’t wait so long to get together.”
“I’ve been so busy lately. This is the first time I’m getting to kick back. I barely have any time for a social life,” she says as she clicks away on her keyboard.
I’m used to this. She’s a workaholic computer geek. All the better for me as I’m able to get so much over her head. I don’t have to put in much effort with her.
She talks a lot, but I ignore most of it as she has a habit of talking out loud to herself. I fuck her, give her a little attention and she’s off like a little kitten. Whenever I need anything, I call, and she comes purring for a little more.
“Oh my God. This is so crazy,” she gushes, suddenly pulsing with excitement.
“What’s that?”
I look at her face to find it all lit up with joy. She’s not a bad-looking woman. She had a glow-up after college. I’m actually curious as I wait for her to explain.
“It’s my college roommate. I heard she started a podcast with her college boyfriend. They were such a cute couple. He just gave her a new house.
“Oh, he had it built for her. I knew he was always crazy about her. They were so in love back then.
“I felt like I was broken up with when they split. I was so heartbroken for both of them. Look, here’s the last episode of their podcast. He proposed. I’m so happy for them,” she rambles.
“Oh, congrats to them,” I mutter.
“You have no idea how big a deal this is. He’s actually Bentley Coswell. He just won the championship with the game-winning touchdown. That game was freaking amazing.”
“I’m sure this is exciting for them. You want to get something to eat?”
“You still don’t get it. Let me finish. Zah was a track star.
“I was there when she injured her knee and it ended her career. They went from the happiest couple in the world to … they just fell apart.”
“Robin.”
She ignores me and continues. “First, her injury, then they both lost their dads in a car accident, then they broke up. Seeing them back together and engaged, that’s so awesome.”
“Robin, be quiet.”
She sighs dreamily. “I spoke to Zah not too long ago. She sent me a pic of their son. He’s so adorable. They should absolutely have more bab—”
“Shut up. Shut the fuck up,” I snarl with my hands around her neck.
“Gil, stop, I can’t breathe,” she pushes out.
She’s clawing at my hands, trying to pry me off her. I straddle her body and keep tightening my hold, refusing to release my grasp. Her face turns red, and her eyes widen.
“I told you to shut the fuck up. I don’t want to hear about Zahirah and Bentley Coswell. I don’t want to think about him with his hands on her, you stupid cunt,” I snarl in her face.
I snap out of my rage as she stops struggling. Looking down at her lifeless body, I frown. She wouldn’t shut the fuck up and I lost it. It wasn’t just the talking.
It was the subject. She kept going on and on about Zah and Coswell. Gushing over him giving Zah that house and proposing.
The last straw was when she suggested the two would have more babies together. That’s the last thing I want to hear.
“Shit, fuck, fuck, shit,” I groan.
I wasn’t done with her. I needed her help to find out why my assets are frozen. She wouldn’t have questioned why I didn’t just call the bank and find out for myself.
Suddenly, the sound of someone slow clapping pulls my focus. It’s not Robin. Her eyes are vacant, and her chest isn’t moving. Besides, the sound is coming from behind me.
“Would you look at this. Nothing has changed with you, old friend. Still leaving a trail of bodies. You might want to make sure this one is dead before you cut out this time.”
I jump from the bed to my feet. My mouth falls open as I look at Hamilton glaring back at me. No wonder there was never any news of his body being found.
“Why, Gilbert, you look like you’ve seen a ghost. You’re so pale. What’s the matter? Aren’t you happy to see me?”
“Ho … how are you still alive? How are you here?”
“Patience, my friend. One question at a time. I’m alive because someone found me before I bled out, saving my life. Next time, I suggest you go for the head or heart or something with a better rate of success.”
“Someone found you alive? Who?”
“You don’t need to know that. You’ll never have to worry about them. Now to answer your other question. How am I here?”
“You had a habit of telling me too much. All the details of your plans. The pawns you kept in your back pocket.
“It didn’t take me long to figure out Robin would be your ace for getting back in the country and moving around to get back to Arizona.
“Once I found out she had a property here, I knew exactly where we would find you. So predictable.” He clicks his tongue and sighs.
“What do you mean where we would find you?”
“Oh, you still think you’re off the hook? News flash, Gilbert. I’m not dead. I also no longer have any reason to protect you or cover for you.
“You still owe, and my partners plan to collect. It was in my best interest to help them find you. You’re about to learn what it looks like to do a job and make sure it’s done.”
I scoff. “Hamilton, this was all a misunderstanding. I wasn’t thinking that night. I panicked and overreacted. Why do you think I didn’t try to dispose of your body?” I say.
“Bullshit,” he bellows. “You thought killing me would get you off the hook and you’d be able to walk away scot-free. You overplayed your hand, bro. Now you’re going to pay.”
“You don’t want to do this. I got the money. I just need to figure out why the accounts are frozen.
“Then I can pay the money. We’ll all walk away the way we planned,” I say.
“Fuck you, asshole. Me, I’m the reason your shit is frozen, you dumb fuck. I made sure the feds had the right information to start digging into you and your family. You’re fucked, Gil. No matter what, you’re fucked.”
“The feds? But—”
“Trust me, I won’t be implicated in anything you’ve done. I’ve known for years you’d stab me in my back one of these days. I’ve been building my get-out-of-jail-free card all this time.
“Although they’re not going to find you in time. You’re not going to jail. You don’t deserve that mercy,” he seethes.
“How much do you want? Help me clean this mess up and we can undo whatever you’ve done and split the money,” I say.
Hamilton throws his head back and laughs. “There’s nothing you can pay me even if I wanted to help turn this around. You’re done, Manning.
“You tried to fuck over the wrong people. Your money isn’t going to save you from this. I wish you could see your face right now.
“How does it feel to know you’re never going to get your revenge on Coswell? He has the money, the girl, and the dream. You have nothing,” he chuckles and wipes the back of his hand across his mouth.
I glance out of the corner of my eye to where my bag is. My gun is inside. I think over my options.
“Do you mind if I put some pants on for this conversation?”
“Please do. I see the rumors were true. No wonder you’ve always led with your family’s wealth.
“Damn, so much is starting to make sense. Shit, that’s fucked up. That was her last dick before she died.” He nods at Robin.
He snorts. “I wouldn’t take Zah’s rejection too hard if I were you. I was on the football team.
“Coswell makes your shit look like a Tic Tac. Sucks for you,” he roars with laughter.
I frown and grind my teeth. However, I allow him his laugh as I move to grab my pants. I’ll have the last laugh when I blow his fucking head off.
I fake like I’m going to grab my pants, but reach for the handle of my gun in my bag instead. However, before I can turn and fire, the sound of a gun goes off, and I know it’s not mine. Suddenly, I feel a burning sensation tearing through my shoulder.
“You caught me by surprise the first time. It will never happen again. Thanks for confirming I’m doing the right thing. You can take him, the boss is waiting to see him,” Hamilton says to the two guys who rush into the room.
I pull my hand from my shoulder, and it’s covered in blood. My hand is shaking and I’m still standing here naked. The two guys come over, and one throws a bag over my head.
My hands are tied behind my back, and I’m shoved from the room. Hamilton’s words ring in my ears.
How does it feel to know you’re never going to get your revenge on Coswell? He has the money, the girl, and the dream. You have nothing.
This can’t be how this ends. If I have nothing, Coswell should as well. I’m going to get out of this, and I’ll get my revenge.