“Yeah. So, what is it?”
“Cain Wells.”
My eyes narrow and I look to the floor.
Holy shit.
“You know him?” Ronnie asks me.
I sniff and nod. “Yeah. Psychotic motherfucker likes to beat on women. Don’t let him back in your gym.”
“Wow,” Ronnie says, looking disgusted. “You bet.”
__________
With my gray hoodie on and black leather coat, I leave the gym with a mix of anger and worry. I’ve got to warn the girls, but I also need to meet with Ben and ask him why the fuck Bones and his crew failed at their job. I quickly run back to my apartment to grab my car.
Once inside, I grab my keys from the counter, deciding not to change out of my gray sweats and sweaty T-shirt until I get to my loft at Red. I feel like I need to get this under control as soon as possible. This Cain guy is unpredictable, and him being back in town can’t be a good thing.
I hit dial on K’s number as I head down to my car. She doesn’t answer, so I leave a voicemail telling her what’s going on and to be careful.
I usually work out in the mornings, but here lately I’ve been going twice a day. It helps with my stress. I swear this girl is going to drive me to an early grave, and now I’m having to deal with shit I paid someone to take care of. All of my anger goes toward Danny O’Brien, the one they call Bones. And I don’t care what he’s mixed up with. I want to beat the shit out of him.
Too bad he’s all the way up in New Jersey.
I park my car in the alleyway and jog up the iron stairs that lead up to my loft. Music thumps below my feet, letting me know the club is in full swing. The night air is painfully cold, nearly freezing the sweat on my back.
The enormous wall window presents a picturesque view as the city of Atlanta shows off its beauty. I head over to my dresser, grabbing a new white T-shirt before removing my coat and hoodie. I switch shirts and head over to the door that leads to the private lounge.
No one is up here, so either Jace is down in the basement or at the ranch still. Looking down at my phone as the door shuts behind me, I walk down the few steps and call Ben.
He answers on the second ring. “Yes, boss?”
“Where are you?”
“Basement,” he says. “Your brother’s down here.”
When Ben is not with me, he watches over Jace. Not because Jace needs a whole lot of protecting, but because Jace is also unpredictable and has a tendency to let things get out of hand. His drinking, drug use, women. You name it—he overindulges.
“Come up to the lounge.”
“Be there in a minute,” he says.
I hang up and walk over to the bar. Grabbing a bottle of bourbon, I pour a drink and call Kat again.
No answer.
Jesus, why the fuck doesn’t she pick up her phone? What the hell does she have it for? I toss my phone onto the bar; it slides over cocaine dust and spilled beer.
Why hasn’t anyone cleaned this shit up? Throwing back the amber liquid, I wince slightly at the smoky taste.
I rub a hand over my head, anxious and pissed off. I know we aren’t together right now—well, according to her—but still she could answer the goddamn phone.
I pick up the bottle and pour another round just as Ben walks in the door.
He looks over the room before his eyes land on me. “Boss, everything okay?”
“Nah,” I say. “Look at this fucking mess. Get someone up here to clean it.” I move from the bar with my drink. Walking over to the two-way window, I slide one hand into my pocket while the other holds on to the bourbon.
Red is packed tonight, filled with people who have no idea what goes on beneath this place.
The police could come in any minute and raid it and they would all be clueless. I shake my head at the thought. That would suck.
My mind wanders and I think about the first time I saw K here. Right from this very spot. I was bored that night. Behind me everyone was partying and carrying on, but I was in my head, thinking I’d rather be at the ranch, in the quiet of my barn house.
But that thought also made me feel lonely, and at the time I didn’t know why.
Now I do.
I was missing her, and I hadn’t even met her yet.
Fuck, where is she? I toss the drink back, turning behind me at Ben who’s picking up beer bottles and cleaning off bar tops. The man’s over six-five and has a massive beard. It’s almost comical seeing him do normal shit like cleanup.
“Stop, man.” I place the glass onto the bar. “That’s not why I wanted you to come up here.”
He tosses empty bottles into the trash, quirking a brow at me. “You don’t think I know that?”
I look at him in question before grabbing another glass and filling both of them up. Ben’s worked for me for a long time. I’ve never really thought about it before, but besides Jace, he’s the closest thing I have to a friend. I guess it’s only natural he picked up on some of my tendencies. Obviously, I’m uneasy hints why I’m being a dick.
I slide the glass to him. “The man I got into a fight with at the gym. That was Cain.”
“What?” He stops midway from taking a sip of his George T. Stagg.
“Yeah. He’s back in town. Can you explain to me how I paid Bones a busload of money and yet, I’m still having to deal with the problem?”
Ben shakes his head and runs a hand through his beard. “Fuck, Bryce, I don’t know. Bones told me they slit his throat. Left him bleeding out in an old warehouse outside of town.”
Damn, they slit his throat? I’d assumed they killed him, but that’s pretty hands-on. I figured they shot him and walked away.
“Well, he fucking survived and I’ve got more scars on my hands to prove it.”
Ben tosses back his drink. “I’m going to call them now. This is unacceptable.”
“Do that.” I reach over and grab my phone, seeing if K has returned my call.
Still nothing.
It’s after ten at night.
Maybe she’s watching a movie with Claire or some shit.
Damn, I need to talk to her, though. As Ben gets ahold of Bones, I decide to call Austin. Maybe he can at least talk to Claire and tell the girls to be cautions.
I scroll through looking for his number. The boy’s still working on a car for me. The parts to this one were hard to come by, so it’s taken some time, but I can’t wait to drive the 1966 Ferrari 275.
“Hello,” Austin answers, and I look up when my brother walks through the door.
I hold up a finger to him, signaling for him to keep quiet. He looks from me to Ben who has a deathly expression. Ben’s just as pissed about this situation as I am. And from the looks of it, he’s not having a good conversation with Danny.
“Hey, man. Have you spoken to either one of the girls?”
“Um, yeah. About an hour ago, why?”
I hear the sound of a sander in the background, and I wonder if this guy ever takes a day off.
I rub the back of my neck. I know Austin has feelings that run deeper than friendship for Claire, so this isn’t going to go over with him well.
“I’ve got some shitty news. I ran into Cain not too long ago.”
“Cain?” he asks. “I thought he was gone?”
“Yeah, I did, too, but he was at my gym. We got into a fight. I didn’t recognize him, but the gym confirmed who he was.”
“Fuck, this can’t be good. I need to tell Claire.”
“Yeah. I was hoping you’d get in touch with them. K won’t answer my phone calls.”
“You two having problems?” he asks.
I chuckle. “Don’t worry about it. Just call Claire, yeah? Shoot me a text when you hear from her.”
“All right.” Austin hangs up before I do, and I look over at Ben who’s already off the phone.
“So?” I ask.
“So, Bones and his boys are headed back down here. They should be here in two hours.”
“Two hour
s?” I question. “What? They got a private jet?”
“Yeah,” he says.
Damn. I’m impressed. The boys look like they come from rough living. Danny O’Brien is more than he seems.
“They said the guy was barely breathing when they left him. They’re just as baffled as we are.”
I shake my head.
“What the hell are y’all talking about?” Jace asks.
I look down at my phone, hoping Austin has sent me a text. Still nothing. I try K again as Jace lights a smoke. Ben reaches over and grabs an ashtray for my kid brother.
I exhale angrily when K doesn’t answer for the millionth time.
Something isn’t right. I know we aren’t on good terms, but she can’t ignore me. She may be pissed, but I know she’s got it bad for me, just like I do her.
She’s being a little stubborn right now, but this is too far. She would have answered just from curiosity if anything. I mean, I’ve called more than several times.
“The guy I got into a fight with at the gym.” I look over at Jace. “It was Claire’s ex.”
“Oh shit. That crazy fucker?” Jace asks, taking a drag from his smoke.
“Yeah,” I reply evenly, looking to the floor. I narrow my eyes as my thoughts start to run wild.
Austin said they went to a Christmas party. That could be why K isn’t answering, but still. How much fun do you really have at work parties? Enough to ignore your phone?
“What’s on your mind, boss?” Ben asks, cutting through my thoughts.
“I’m worried,” I confess. I look at my phone as it vibrates. “Yeah,” I answer.
“Claire isn’t answering either. I’ve called a few times.” Austin sounds like I feel.
“What time was this Christmas party?”
“It started around nine, I believe, but you know they didn’t get there on time. How long have you been calling?”
“I don’t know. A little before ten.”
Austin is quiet for a moment, but then he says, “I don’t have a good feeling about this.”
“Me either. Where’s Claire’s work?”
He shoots off the address to me. “I’ll meet you there,” he says.
We hang up. “Come on,” I say to Ben. “We’re going to this Christmas party.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Kathrine
We’re dressed in our best to head to Claire’s work Christmas party. Atlanta traffic is busy as always, and to keep my mood up, I’ve had two shots of Fireball and a beer before I left the house.
“What time did this thing start?” I ask, shifting in the leather seat.
“Nine-ish,” she replies with a shrug.
“So, we’re thirty minutes late?” I say.
“Who cares. It’s not like I’m clocking in.”
I laugh. “Guess you’re right.”
I pull a small liquor bottle from my purse. “Take a shot with me,” I say, handing her one also.
She takes it from my hand and my eyes shoot up to the rearview mirror, wondering if this guy cares if we drink in here. He doesn’t say anything, so I guess not.
“To yet another Christmas together,” I say, tapping her plastic bottle with mine.
We both drink the bottles the fastest way we can, but it’s a struggle coming out of a tiny hole. I wince and she makes a face. “Well, that was gross,” she says.
“Yes, it was,” I agree. I take her bottle and put it back in my purse. Smoothing out my wavy hair, I exhale and look out the window.
“You need to eat more,” she says.
I turn back to her. “What?” I reply, wondering where this is coming from.
“You’ve lost weight, and I know it’s not because I haven’t been trying to feed you.” She looks down at my dress-covered body.
“I eat,” I defend.
“Not hardly. We’ve got a shit load of leftovers that I’m going to have to toss.”
I exhale, knowing she’s right. I haven’t been eating much. Food has just lost its appeal. “I’m just not that hungry, I guess.”
“Yeah, I’m sure that’s it.”
Most people would find it odd that their best friend is paying so much attention to their eating habits, but most people don’t have a chef for a best friend. Claire’s a great cook, and great cooks take offense when you don’t eat their good food.
“What are you saying?” I ask.
“I’m saying you’re putting yourself through all of this for no reason. I’m not blind, Kat. I see the way you’ve been moping around the house. If it’s hurting this bad, why are you doing it?”
“Because I can’t live my life like that. You’ve seen how he gets.”
“Kat, he’s not perfect, but he loves you.”
“So what? You think I’m fucking up here?” I can’t help but get defensive. Claire should be on my side, and from the looks my two best friends gave me the night Bryce beat that guy up, I thought they were.
“I think you’re scared. I think you’re running away from someone you love because you think he’ll eventually do that to you. You can live life like that. Not everyone is like your mom.”
“Let’s not call her that. Her name is Bethany.”
“Okay.” She shrugs. “Not everyone is like Bethany. The woman did a stupid thing. You shouldn’t have to keep paying for her mistakes.”
The Uber pulls up to the curb outside of her restaurant. “Look, maybe I just don’t want to fight all the time.”
I don’t know why everyone thinks I’m scared.
Okay, maybe I am.
Maybe going back to my hometown reminded me of what it was like to live in a broken home. And then right when I got back to Atlanta, Bryce and I started arguing. Everything leaves eventually.
Bethany’s words from so long ago still affect me.
I sigh. Claire is right, like always. Why can’t I get over this?
Why can’t I move on?
I’ve tried. I’ve tried so hard to be better.
I know I’m hurting myself, but isn’t that better than him doing it?
Claire scoffs “Yeah. We’ll go with that.” She looks to the front. “Thanks for the ride,” she says to the driver.
“Sure thing. Enjoy the party,” he replies as we climb out.
The shades are down on the front windows, but it looks dark behind them. “Don’t forget to rate him,” I say to her.
Pretty in a red dress looks down at her phone, and I pull my coat tighter. Christmas lights are wrapped around lamps down the street and cars zoom past us, splashing up water from the rain we had earlier.
“Why are there no lights on?” I ask as I pull the door open. The handle is icy cold, and once we step inside we find the place empty.
The door suctions closed, slicing the cold wind off behind us. I sigh and my eyes look up at the ceiling. “Claire, are you sure this is where it’s supposed to be?”
I pull my phone from my coat pocket, seeing it’s nearly ten. Just as I go to put my phone up, it vibrates. My heart swells in utter joy when I see his name pop up on the screen. It lifts its shoulders and clasps its hands together with a closed-lip smile. We haven’t spoken in three days.
A short text from him here and there, but I haven’t heard his voice. I miss the sound, deep and raspy like he’s had a few shots of bourbon. I miss his smell–– smoky-spice. The feel of his rough hands on my skin and the softness of his short hair beneath my fingers.
I exhale. Right now isn’t a good time, though. My heart stomps its foot and gives me an eat shit look. I ignore the pang in my chest and hit the shady button with my thumb before sliding it back into my pocket, already feeling the ache in my feet from these beautiful, ridiculous shoes Claire forced me into.
I think she’s forced me into every pair of heels I’ve ever worn. Except for the ones I wore the night Bryce showed up to that club and got on stage, declaring how much he was torn up about us. He cleared the whole place out.
“And you left him there alone,” my he
art tosses out.
“I’ll never get over you.” I shudder, thinking about the words he said to me.
Man, that guy.
I’ve yet to meet anyone like him.
He constantly surprises me. In the best and worst ways. I should have answered his phone call.
“Yeah. I got a text yesterday saying we were going to have it here because the other place had a water problem.”
“Well, seems like no one else got that text,” I reply, expressionless. “Call someone.”
Cool, cool wind bellows in behind us, and goosebumps mingle with hair that stands. We both turn around when the door opens, and needles chase each other down my spine as panic soaks me to my bones.
Instinct tells me to step back and I do, bumping into a table, causing it to screech across the floor, knocking off a small vase of poinsettia flowers. Glass connects with tile, and water pours onto the floor.
My pulse hammers as I swallow alarm. My heart, no longer angry at me, cowards in fear.
“I didn’t expect both of you to be here, but I guess I’ll go with it.” The beard changes his whole look, and flashbacks of a man with a hoodie in the dead of summer bumping into me on the street crosses my mind.
“Some guy almost knocked me down out there, and get this, he was wearing a hoodie.” She reaches for her cone, and I lift my locks away from my sweaty neck. She has a newspaper in front of her and a red marker between her teeth.
“Did you dropkick his dumb ass?” she asks.
I laugh. “No. I’m a little rusty. Didn’t wanna embarrass myself.”
Shit.
That was him.
The day I got Claire and me an ice cream cone when she was looking for a job at the shop.
“Cain,” Claire says as casually as one can during a time like this. This dude is crazy, and she’s got the restraining order to prove it. “We were actually just leaving.” She looks at me, pupils wide and a fear I’ve never witnessed from my best friend before.
Eyes are words from the soul, and if you pay attention, you can read almost anyone just from looking at them. “I’ve already called our ride.” It happens so quickly, I don’t even have time to blink. Cain grabs her by the throat and shoves her so far back she slides across the floor, hitting the wall.
Give Me Perfect Love (Give Me Series Book 2) Page 14
