23. Ghosts Of The Present
23
GHOSTS OF THE PRESENT
Blood thunders in my ears as I’m driven across the grounds of the Palmetto Grande Resort. Since collecting me from the basement and taking me to get cleaned up, Merrick hasn’t said anything other than barking short commands.
Now, it’s only birds and the whir of the golf cart providing the soundtrack to our ominous journey. One guard sits beside me in the back, while the other is up front with Merrick. Their guns are hidden this time, so as not to draw any attention. My hands are free for the same reason, which is a nice change.
It’s still morning, but the sun is already scorching the landscape. The air is thick with heat and salt, making each breath feel like a marathon. I don’t bother asking questions. There will be no answers. And Merrick doesn’t need the script others do.
By the time we pull up to one of the luxury villas overlooking the ocean, my heart is pounding and my mind is a mess of memories and imminent pain.
I battle trembling limbs as we climb out of the cart and parade toward the exclusive villa reserved for the most VIP guests. It’s one of the nicest rentals the Palmetto Grande has to offer, which can only mean one thing.
Merrick knocks, the door opens, and my breath catches in my throat.
Our eyes lock on each other at the same time. It’s a moment that hasn’t happened in over three years.
“Mr. and Mrs. Dylan,” Merrick says, nodding to the couple. “Mr. McArthur.”
Gerardo Dylan steps back so we can enter. “We can take it from here,” he says to Merrick. “We have our own security.”
Merrick’s gaze skims my face. His promise to me lingers between us as an imaginary hourglass drains its last few grains of sand.
Once we’re alone, Gerardo motions for me to follow. His wife Madelyn won’t look at me, while McArthur’s expression holds an unreadable edge.
“Montgomery gave us the unfortunate news about the wedding,” Gerardo says as we turn the corner to a spacious sitting area. It overlooks a veranda with a postcard view of the ocean.
He directs McArthur toward a chair in the sitting area, then sits beside Madelyn on a white leather couch. I’m left standing in front of them like a school boy in the principal’s office.
“It’s an unfortunate development, but these things happen. Love is fickle, no?” McArthur says to me.
I don’t respond, directing my gaze back to the couple. Their faces give nothing away, but I know the truth. The air bleeds with our violent history. For once, I have no idea how this will play out. What they know. What they want. Who will be left standing at the end of this farce.
“Looks like you had a rough night,” Madelyn says, scanning my face.
“Bar fight, wasn’t it?” McArthur interjects before I can respond.
“Ah.” Gerardo nods, but his gaze lingers on the rings around my wrists.
My pulse picks up. They know the truth. Of course they know. McArthur is an idiot to think he has any control over this “negotiation.”
I can’t stop my gaze from drifting toward the glass wall overlooking the ocean. Foreboding seeps through my stomach. A wave of dizziness overtakes me, but I can’t look away. Watching my death glisten in the radiant sun is a cruel distraction. If Merrick doesn’t keep his promise… If someone else is given the job…
I force down the terror creeping up my chest. My throat burns with the memory of muddy lake water. Salt water will burn even more as it rages toward my lungs.
“Shaw?” Gerardo says. By his expression, he’s waiting for an answer.
I blink back to the present. “Sorry, can you repeat the question?”
His brows pinch in irritation. He always hated how I’d get lost in my head. One of the many things that made me “weak.”
Gerardo and Madelyn assault me with disapproving stares before they turn to McArthur.
“Montgomery, would you allow us a few minutes alone with him? We’d really appreciate it,” Madelyn says.
McArthur’s expression sours, but he doesn’t have much of a choice. He knows by her tone, this is not a request. For once in his life, he doesn’t hold the power.
“Of course,” he says with a stiff smile. “I have a few calls to make anyway.”
Gerardo and Madelyn nod as the lesser man pushes up from the chair and heads toward the veranda. We wait in silence while he opens the glass door and closes it again. With the symphony of ocean sounds out there, he won’t be able to hear our conversation.
Blood is racing through my veins.
“What really happened?” Gerardo asks once we’re alone. “You clearly fucked up. How bad is it?”
I wince at the familiar criticism. “Scarlett exposed me to the Hartfords. They did this.”
Gerardo and Madelyn release a breath and exchange a look. I force down the instinctive panic rising within me.
“And the Hartfords traded you back to McArthur in exchange for what?”
I lower my gaze.
“Tell us. I know you know.”
“Twenty percent.”
They snort a laugh.
“ Twenty percent? ” Gerardo huffs. “How does it feel to finally be worth so much?”
I flinch from the blow. I can’t look at them. I’m seven years old again.
“You fucked up, Jonah,” Gerardo continues. “We always knew you would, but at least you went down swinging for once. Thank you for La Quinta Muerte. That was valuable intel and the missing piece we needed.”
“When will you do it?” I ask, meeting their gazes again.
The familiar disdain in their eyes slices through my gut.
“Soon. Once we iron out the details and solidify our relationship with La Quinta Muerte.”
“And the Hartfords?”
“What do you think?” Madelyn says. “We’ll keep one of them for now. Until we get a handle on their operation since you fucked that up too. Maybe the girl.”
“Julia?” My voice contains too much hope, and I immediately regret it.
Their eyes widen. I shiver at my mistake.
“I don’t believe it. You care for her, don’t you,” Madelyn grunts. “After everything. How could you still fall victim to your soft heart? This was your last chance and you blew it.”
I look away. There’s no point arguing.
“We’ve decided not to interfere with McArthur’s plans for you,” Gerardo says in a stiff tone. “We’re going to tell him you’re no longer necessary for this negotiation. We’ll let him handle you before we handle them.”
“You’re a lost cause, Jonah,” Madelyn continues. “And now you’re a liability. You’re no longer useful to us. It’s become clear you’ll never be cut out for this.”
Their words slice into me. Emotion beats on the backs of my eyelids, but I blink it away.
“You understand,” Gerardo says. “You were always weak, but you were never stupid.”
I nod and grip my trembling hands behind my back. “And Razor?” I ask quietly.
They exchange a look. “Is also no longer useful,” Gerardo says in a matter-of-fact tone.
My world goes dark. A plea rises in my throat, but I manage to swallow it. It won’t do any good, and I know Gramps won’t expect anything different. Once Julia tells him what happened, he’ll know he’s next and will accept his fate with open arms. It’s why I fought so hard to shield him from the truth.
I wipe at my eyes, but more tears take their place. I flinch at the storm I know is coming for showing weakness.
But this time they say nothing. This time they’re silent as my heart leaks onto my face. No jeers. No harsh punishment or indignant lectures. Just quiet resignation that we’ve reached the end of our decades-long impasse.
“We’re sorry, son,” Madelyn says in an even tone. “We were hoping for a different outcome.”
I bite my lip and nod, willing the tears to stop.
It’s the nicest thing my parents have ever said to me.