Research Required

by Amber Skyze

  The reality of his situation was, he couldn’t stick around. It was too dangerous for both Jenna and Bailey. He didn’t want to do anything to hurt either of them. But what if he could stick around? What if he made good on his debt?

  “Well, are you going to take my offer?”

  He smiled at her. She was hot with anger at him for bringing his troubles to their doorstep and he didn’t blame her, but he wanted her. God, he wanted to whisk her off to the bedroom one last time before leaving.

  “Ethan!”

  “No, I won’t take your fucking money.” He stormed toward the door. There was no way he could take money from her. He liked her too much. He had to get out of here before he did something he regretted.

  “Don’t you go running off on me.” She grabbed his arm, attempting to stop him.

  “What do you want from me?” He didn’t hide his frustration—frustration that came from his desire to fuck her, hard.

  “I want you to take my offer and beat it before Jenna finds out.”

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  “No.” It wouldn’t be fair to her to take the money. If he could find a way to stick around and pay her back it would be one thing, but the reality of his life was he might not be able to.

  A knock at the door startled them once again.

  “Who is it?”

  “Jenna. What the hell is going on in there? I can hear you two arguing across the way.”

  “Fuck,” Ethan cursed under his breath. The last thing he needed was his sister finding out any of this. Now he had no choice but to make up something. He didn’t want to hurt his sister. He couldn’t stand the thought of her thinking him a loser. Bailey whipped the door open.

  “Hey, Jenna. What’s up?”

  “That’s what I want to know,” she said, storming through the door. “I can hear you guys in my apartment. Granted, I had the windows open, but seriously. You two hardly know each other and you’re arguing like an old married couple?”

  Ha. Not a chance in hell they’d ever be an old married couple. Ethan didn’t do married. He barely did couple. He wasn’t going to heed the feelings tugging at him. He couldn’t allow Bailey any closer. Oh Christ, who the fuck was he trying to fool? She was already too close and he actually liked it.

  “We were disagreeing on my article,” Bailey said.

  Relief washed over Ethan. He wouldn’t have to make up an excuse or tell the truth.

  “Thank you,” he mouthed.

  She rolled her eyes.

  “It seems your brother here is a player after all.”

  “Ethan?” Jenna looked between the two. “I know I haven’t seen you in quite some time, but I’m positive you are not a player.”

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  He shrugged indifferently. He couldn’t admit he was in deep shit to some mob guys, but he could let her believe he was a player. Anything was better than telling her he was in danger. He didn’t want his sister worrying about him.

  “Maybe we should go get dinner,” he suggested. “I think Bailey’s seen enough of me for one day.”

  “Is that true, Bailey? Have you seen enough of Ethan?”

  Ethan watched her features soften from totally pissed to he didn’t know what.

  “Actually I’d love to join you guys for dinner. Just let me freshen up.”

  Now he didn’t know what to think. This vixen was too unpredictable. What if she told Jenna while they were having dinner? It was a definite possibility with the way things were going.

  “Shouldn’t you get that article finished? Don’t you have to like write it or something?” He was grasping at straws here, but Bailey coming along for dinner was no longer a good idea.

  “Nope, I have time. If I get it to her by midnight I’ll be fine.”

  Ohh, she was looking smug. He wanted to kiss that smugness off her face.

  “We’d understand if you couldn’t go.”

  Come on, Jenna. Don’t just stand there watching us like a tennis game. Say something. Anything. Just be on my side.

  “Ethan, why are you being like that? Don’t you want Bailey to come with us?”

  Jenna asked.

  “I don’t care if she comes along. I just thought this article was very important to her and she’s on a deadline.”

  “Bailey’s a big girl. She knows what she can and can’t do.”

  “Thanks, Jenna,” Bailey said, looping her arm through Jenna’s. “I couldn’t agree more. Give me a few minutes to change my clothes and do something with this hair.”

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  Ethan clapped his hands together. “Damned if I’m going to argue with two women.”

  They both laughed.

  Ethan wasn’t laughing. He cringed inside wondering what Bailey was up to. She had an ulterior motive for tagging along. He felt it in his bones. She was up to no good. Most likely she was going to expose him to his sister.

  They arrived at the local bar-restaurant. The atmosphere was charged, just like Bailey. She couldn’t believe he wouldn’t take her money and run. He was being pigheaded and she wasn’t about to let him stay around. She didn’t care that her libido was off the charts. Ethan’s ability to supercharge her body wasn’t going to win him points. He needed to take her money and get the hell out of here, quick. She twirled the tiny umbrella from her mai tai between her fingers. Jenna and Ethan were talking about childhood things while she just listened. She was waiting for her chance to interrupt and bring the subject to the present. She was sipping her fruity concoction when Jenna finally spoke to her.

  “I’m sorry, Bailey. We must be boring you to tears with our reminiscing.”

  “Quite the opposite, but wouldn’t you love to know what Ethan’s been up to now?”

  His nose flared and his eyes pierced her. If they were daggers, she’d be dead.

  “I’m boring to say the least,” he countered.

  “I highly doubt that. What is it you do for work?” she challenged.

  “I’m currently unemployed.” His voice dripped with venom. Score one for Bailey.

  “Unemployed? Wow, that sucks. What do you do for money?”

  “Yes, Ethan. What have you been doing to stay afloat?”

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  Bailey saw the worried look Jenna gave her brother and immediately regretted baiting him, but Jenna’s life could be in danger if he stuck around. That wasn’t something she wanted her best friend exposed to.

  “I’ve been taking odd jobs here and there. Picking up a little work whenever and wherever possible.”

  She watched him swallow back his ice-cold beer. He slammed it on the table a little too hard.

  “Now, I’m starved. Let’s order some food.”

  Bailey decided to let the conversation drop. Jenna didn’t push either. It wasn’t until they were halfway done with their meal and Ethan’s phone rang that Bailey had second thoughts.

  “If you’ll excuse me, I have to take this call.”

  Once he was out of earshot, she turned to Jenna.

  “He’s been getting all kinds of crazy calls today.”

  “Crazy? What do you mean?”

  How did she explain without actually telling her what she knew?

  “I don’t know. It’s like he’s fighting with an ex or something. He keeps getting angry and hanging up on the person.”

  “I must say I’m very surprised by the things you’ve been saying about Ethan. He’s not the person you’re describing. In fact it sounds like you dislike and distrust him.”

  “Whoa! Where is this coming from?” Bailey couldn’t believe how upset Jenna was.

  “Just be honest with me, Bailey. You don’t like Ethan so you’re trying to get me mad at him.”

  “I am not. I’m only suggesting there might be more to him showing up on your doorstep than you realize.” She threw her napkin over her plate. There wasn’t any way she’d be eating any more food.


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  “For your information I knew Ethan was coming a few days ago. This wasn’t a surprise visit and by the way, he’s not a player.” Bailey watched her dig in her pants pocket and pull out a bunch of bills. She threw them on the table. “This should cover dinner and a cab home.”

  She stormed off, leaving Bailey sitting there both stunned and hurt by Jenna’s reaction. She was trying to help her friend and it turned into a full-blown nightmare. Not having the strength to fight with Jenna, she waited until they were long gone before paying the waiter. She used her own cash. She’d return Jenna’s to her when things cooled down. She hailed a taxi and wearily jumped in the back. All the way home she replayed the night over and over in her mind, trying to figure out where she went wrong. She was dumbfounded. She couldn’t fathom why Jenna got so upset. It didn’t matter anymore. Maybe Ethan would hit the road now that he knew she wasn’t afraid to expose him.

  The cab pulled up in front of the apartment complex. Bailey noticed Ethan’s car immediately. A strange guy was lurking in between Ethan’s car and the one parked next to it. Bailey had never seen the guy. Immediately she wondered if she should call the police. She took her cell phone out of her bag and kept her finger on the number pad just in case she had to call 9-1-1.

  “Lady, you getting out?” the cab driver asked.

  She could hear his frustration, but she was worried about the guy hanging around Ethan’s car.

  “Sorry,” she mumbled as she opened the back door and stumbled out of the cab. She kept her eyes on the guy, trying to figure out what he was doing. Was he trying to break in? Would he hurt her for catching him snooping around?

  He looked her way. She nodded and called, “Hello,” having heard if you speak to a possible attacker they will think twice because you can identify them. He grumbled something incoherent and moved away from the car. Luckily he headed in the opposite direction from her.

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  Bailey quickly ran up the stairs to her second-floor apartment. She let herself in and slammed her body against the closed door. Letting out a heavy breath, she tried to relax.

  Once her breathing resumed to normal, she bolted and chained the door. Paranoid? Maybe, but she wasn’t taking any chances. The guys Ethan had after him meant business. She’d seen it all before with her sister.

  “Fuck!” How did she get herself in this mess? She led a simple life. She wrote her articles, worked out and occasionally went out on dates. In a few hours she’d managed to get herself mixed up with a guy who had the mob after him. Never mind that she was fucked senseless, which she rather enjoyed.

  She threw herself onto the couch. She had to stay away from Ethan, but she had to warn Jenna. She didn’t want to see her friend mixed up with all this craziness. She didn’t deserve it.

  Staring at the laptop, she realized her article hadn’t been sent yet. It was just the distraction she needed. She quickly finished it and sent it off.

  “There. At least my editor won’t be pissed at me,” she said, pressing the send button.

  The article hadn’t helped keep her mind off Ethan. Not when he was her resource. It only made her think of him more.

  Oh shit it. She was going to bed. Tomorrow was another day. She’d worry about Ethan and how to protect Jenna in the morning.

  Halfway to her bedroom there was a knock at the door.

  “Omigod,” she whispered. Had the guy watched her go to her apartment? Was he aware that Ethan was there earlier? Maybe she could pretend she was sleeping and he’d go away.

  Another knock.

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  No such luck. She looked toward the kitchen and contemplated grabbing a knife. What if he turned it on her and stabbed her? Damn, she didn’t like the situation she was in. It was times like this when living alone really sucked. The knocking grew louder.

  “I know you’re in there, Bailey. Your lights are on. Open the door.”

  It was Ethan. The rotten bastard had come back again. For what?

  “Go away, Ethan. I’m done with you and your problems.”

  “I need my backpack, Bailey.”

  Her eyes darted to the side of the couch where Ethan had placed his backpack earlier. Sure enough it was still sitting there.

  She stomped over to the door, unlocked it and swung it open.

  “Grab your bag and get the hell out of my life.”

  He stepped over the threshold and went directly for his bag.

  “I’m sorry my sister left you high and dry at the restaurant. If it’s any consolation I feel horrible I involved you in this mess.”

  She shrugged. “No big deal. I’m a big girl. As you can see I managed to get home safely.”

  “Still, it wasn’t right. You were only trying to protect her.”

  “Yeah, well I didn’t see you sticking up for me at the restaurant. Why didn’t you just tell her the truth instead of making me look like an ass?”

  Someone walked by the apartment and Bailey slammed the door shut. The last thing she needed was for her neighbors to hear her personal life. She’d gone down that road once before. She wasn’t ready to repeat that any time soon. Ethan threw his bag over his shoulder.

  “Look, I told you I’m trying to protect Jenna. To do that I need to keep her out of my mess. It’s for her own good. You know too much as it is. I regret showing up at your door.”

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  “Does that mean you’ll take my offer and hit the road?”

  Before Ethan could answer a knock came at the door. Not a knock, more like pounding. Someone wanted their attention.

  Ethan lunged for Bailey and pulled her close.

  “I think we have trouble,” he whispered in her ear.

  She attempted to pull free, but Ethan’s grip was binding.

  “I know you’re in there, Ethan. I’ve been watching you. I’ve seen your car too.”

  Bailey swallowed. Her heart pounded in her chest. She thought for sure the guy at the door could hear it.

  “Is there a way out of here other than the front door?”

  “There’s a fire escape outside my bedroom window.” Dear God, please don’t tell me I’m going to have to climb down it. Her fear of heights had her wondering if there ever were a fire if she’d make it out alive. She didn’t believe she could climb down the fire escape.

  The pounding at the door became kicking.

  Ethan pulled Bailey.

  “There’s no time to stand here waiting for him to break down the door. He’s not going to ask for tea if he does. He’ll likely shoot first and ask questions after.”

  Just fucking great. She was really in deep shit with this situation. Reluctantly she followed Ethan. He climbed out the window first and shimmied down the ladder. Bailey closed her eyes tight and inched her way down.

  “Move it, Bailey. There’s no time for being slow. This guy means business,” he hissed.

  As she neared the bottom he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to the ground.

  “Where’s your car?”

  “Out front, but my pocketbook is in my apartment.”

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  “What’s that got to do with your car?”

  “My keys are in my purse.”

  “Oh I’m not worried about that. Lead the way.”

  She should have known someone like Ethan wouldn’t need the keys. Bailey wondered how many times he’d hotwired a car before.

  She led him to her car, where thankfully no one was waiting for them. Bailey wondered if the guy had broken down her door or if he’d given up. Guess it didn’t matter at this point. She was at Ethan’s mercy and would have to find a safe place for them to stay.

  Her foot tapped nervously against the floor of the passenger’s seat. Great, so Ethan could open a locked car door with no problem. A talent he’d probably picked up when on the run. This wasn’t what sh
e called fun. It took Ethan a few minutes, but he finally got her car started and off they went peeling out of the apartment complex parking lot.

  “Do you have somewhere we can go?”

  “As a matter of fact I do.” She was reluctant to offer up the house on the lake, but what other choice did she have? Her life was now in danger too.

  “What about Jenna? Do you think she’ll be okay?”

  He shrugged.

  “I don’t even have my phone to call her.”

  “Let’s worry about that once we get out of town. Which way?”

  Bailey directed him onto the highway headed north toward the small town where her family still had a house. It hadn’t been used in some time. She wasn’t even sure the electricity would be on, but they had nowhere else to go. Once they were far enough away from her apartment and pretty certain they weren’t being followed Bailey settled into the seat.

  “I take it that was one of the thugs looking for you?”

  “What gave you that idea?”

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  She didn’t like his arrogant attitude. She didn’t need his crass bullshit. He put her life in danger.

  “I’m getting tired of your smartass remarks. I could make you turn this car around and go back to face that asshole looking for you.”

  “You could, but you won’t.”

  “And why’s that?”

  “Because you’re worried about me and you won’t put that kind of risk on Jenna.”

  “If she’s not already in danger,” she added.

  Ethan punched the steering wheel. He didn’t want to think about the possibility of Jenna being in danger—all because of him. He should have listened to Bailey from the beginning. He should have taken her offer and hit the high road immediately, but he thought he was safe. He thought they’d never find him up north. How fucking wrong he’d been. Now he’d put Bailey’s life in danger and he didn’t like the way it tore at his heart. He felt the need to protect her.