by S. M. West
“Hey, slow down.” Red lips curl into a smile. “You’re talking like I’m already pregnant. I want some time for us first.”
“Me too.”
Epilogue
Tommie
I rub at my eyes and yawn, stealing a look at the time in the bottom right-hand corner of the computer screen. Max should be back any minute now; he just stepped out to talk to Tate, and I’m near done.
Unexpectedly, I ended up working late tonight, covering for one of my team who was out sick. I had promised to drop by the hospital with hot dogs for dinner as Max was working, but he got off early and surprised me.
Tonight, he came to HC with takeout from our favorite Thai restaurant and we’d dined in my office, gorging on green papaya salad and panang curry. I can still taste the rich savory broth of the red curry and coconut milk. When done with our meal, I still had to document the final minutes of a surveillance tape.
“Hey, you done?” Max stares at me, eyes shimmering, as he walks to my side and bends to lightly kiss the curve of my neck.
I brighten, the corners of my mouth lifting at the sight and scent of him. “Yup. I just need two more minutes. Do you mind sticking this in the fridge?”
He takes the box of spring rolls. I’d been too full to eat mine and while we could take them home, HC is a twenty-four/seven shop, and someone is always hungry. I like to do my part in keeping our crew fed.
My phone pings on the desk beside me and I glance down at the screen.
Zero: Boo
Sighing, I pick up my device and tap out a response.
Me: What do you want?
Zero has taken to texting me randomly since Ash’s death four months ago. Interpol, FBI, and who knows who else are still looking for the hacker extraordinaire. They’ll never find him. And even though I don’t owe him anything, I won’t help the authorities catch him either.
He will always be Ash’s guy, even after his death, but he also helped keep me sane all those years in captivity. And while we never spoke of it, I know he tried, in the ways that he could without suffering Ash’s wrath, to limit my pain.
Zero: How are you doing
Me: Fine. You?
Zero: Okay. Are you going to give me more than that?
Me: Where are you?
I ask every time I get a text and it isn’t because I’ll turn him in. I’ve reassured him that I won’t. It’s more out of curiosity. I don’t fully get why he maintains contact with me. Max would prefer I get another phone or ignore him.
If I’m being honest with myself, I stay in touch to keep an eye on him. I wonder if he’ll come after me for the death of his master. He’s a cocky bastard and we were never enemies, in fact the opposite, and while I don’t know how he came to live with Ash, the man was the only family Zero had. And now, thanks to me, he’s dead.
He could hurt me without ever leaving whatever hole he’s hiding in.
Zero: That’s not a question I’ll answer. Try again.
Me: What do you want? I can’t help you.
Zero: This is the last time we’ll text. Promise.
Me: Then what?
Zero: Then nothing. I’ll leave you alone. I believe you.
Me: What are you talking about?
Zero: I believe you aren’t going to turn me in. You haven’t mentioned our contact to anyone but Max.
His knowledge isn’t surprising, but it chills me nonetheless. He will always be able to get to me. If he so chooses.
Me: Told you I wouldn’t and so long as you don’t give me a reason to, I won’t.
Zero: I’m busting a gut over here. you’re adorable and gotta give you props. This is goodbye Tommie. As a parting gift, I thought you might enjoy this.
I wait for his response and it takes longer than normal. Seconds later, he drops an MP3 file.
Me: What is this?
Zero: Have a listen
Me: I’m not doing your dirty work so don’t even ask.
Zero: Just listen.
Me: What am I supposed to do with this?
I’m filled with apprehension. There has to be something of meaning to it.
“You ready now, babe?” Max stands at the door and my phone pings again.
Zero: You’ll know what to do.
“Um, I just need to have a listen to something.”
“What’s wrong?” He comes into the office, concern now creeping across his brow.
“Nothing, I think. Just give me a sec.”
I download the forty-five second clip and pop in my earbuds. I could just hit play with Max in the room, because I will share it with him. I just… I just need to know what it is first. Because it could be a recording of so many things. Ash was my captor for five long years. It could be so many ugly, vile things that I never want Max to have to hear.
“Okay.” He nods, eyebrows still pinched as he kisses me one more time.
He plants himself on the edge of the desk and leans down to give my thigh a reassuring squeeze. I don’t have to tell him I’m troubled, he just knows.
Hitting play, I listen, and at first, my heart violently jerks at the sound of Ash’s voice. It’s eerie and unnerving to have his deep, commanding voice in my head again.
I don’t think I’ll ever forget his face or his voice, and I’ve come to terms with that. Long before he came for me here in New York. But in this moment, with his voice in my ears, I wish I could.
The tape is a recording of Ash and Taya. From the sounds of it, it’s recent, or at least in the past six or seven months, during the time he was here and in business with her.
The air is sucked from my lungs and Max straightens. “What is it? What are you listening to?” His hand now rests on my shoulder. “Are you okay?”
I nod, unable to break my concentration and I shift the mouse pointer to bring the recording back thirty seconds so I can listen again, unable to believe what I’ve just heard.
The second time is no less surprising.
“Holy shit.” I yank out my earbuds with a shaky exhale.
“What’s going on?”
“One sec.”
I furiously text Zero, needing more answers.
Me: Is there more to this recording?
Me: When was this recorded?
Me: Tell me what you know.
Me: Zero answer me.
I wait for what feels like a long time, but nothing.
“We gotta talk to the guys.” I pull the cord from the outlet and press play from the beginning.
Ash’s and Taya’s voices fill my office. Max frowns, stiffening as he gives all his attention to the recording. I watch his features morph from confusion to awareness to alarm with his realization.
“Shit. Where did you get this?”
“Zero.” I needn’t say more; we both know the recording is authentic.
“We gotta call the guys,” he says, fishing out his phone as I press stop on my laptop. “You call Van and I’ll call Ry.”
He stops, lifting his head from his phone screen, and we share a look as we say, gravely, at the same time, “Someone has to tell Tripp.”
Note to Readers
Want more New York Knights?
In the final NYK book, Tripp comes face to face with his past. Mia St. John walks into his life once more, and she has a secret that threatens to destroy him.
Grab your copy of Broken Night!
Other Books by S.M. West
Standalones
Made to Love
Clutch
Prophet
Real Liars
Reverb - Fall 2020
New York Knights Series
Reckless Night
Fallen Night
Captive Night
Relentless Night
Broken Night
The Love Lock Duet
Love Block
Love Lock
About the Author
S.M. West writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and whatever her heart desires. She's a self-professed junkie
of wine, chocolate and travel. She always can be found planning her next adventure!
www.smwestauthor.com
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