by WL Knightly
He suddenly felt like he had messed up showing her. She looked around at it all like it was worthless compared to all she’d been through. And it probably was, but it was all he had to offer her. “So, if anything ever happens to me now, you’ll know where to find my shit.” He gave a shrug.
After a moment, she turned her head and reached out and took his hand. “Wow, you really trust me.” She still looked like she was overwhelmed.
“Relax. I’m not giving you the code or telling you how the keypad is engaged, but at least you know this is here.”
“Money makes me nervous.” She walked over to his file cabinet. “Insurance?”
He wasn’t sure if he should explain that or not. “It’s on my employees.”
“You have insurance on me?” She seemed shocked to hear it.
“Life, yes. I figured why not take out a policy on all of my employees, and if something happened to them and their family couldn’t afford to bury them or they had no family to bury them, then I’d at least be prepared. It costs me a little more, but it’s worth it.”
“Can I see mine?” Her eyes met his with a hint of hesitation.
He hesitated too but wanted her to trust him. “Here. It’s not a big deal.” He opened the cabinet and pulled out a folder.
She ran her thumb across all of the manila folders. The names of every employee were written in black marker. Justin liked to be neat. “There’s one for everyone?” she asked. “Even Corey?” She pulled out his folder. Justin had forgotten that he had done that.
“Yes, even Corey. I had him fill it out when he decided to sleep upstairs at the store.”
“So, you’re going to collect on his death?” Her eyes narrowed.
“I guess so. I’d forgotten all about it.” He had forgotten and felt like a heel for not mentioning it sooner. “I don’t want you to worry, okay? I’m going to take care of everything for you.”
She dropped the folder back into the drawer. “How much on all of us?”
“Fifty-five thousand each. It’s the most affordable.”
“All this money, and I’ve been afraid I’d miss a payment on that damned trailer you bought me.”
He smiled and opened up another drawer. “Here’s that back. I kept it for you. Thought you might want to buy a real house one day.”
“Are you serious?”
He let out a long breath. “I know I might sound like a nut with all of my conspiracies, and while I’ll argue all of that with you all day long, I’m not out of my mind. I just remember what it was like to struggle with my parents. When my grandparents took me in, I saw there was a better way to live, and that life and your circumstances, they’re what you make them.”
“If you have money, it makes them a hell of a lot easier.”
“Then you’d know. You have all of Corey’s money now.”
“It’s not mine. I’m not sure I could just up and take it. I’m not his wife.”
“All you need is a marriage certificate, and we’ll post-date it. I’ll help you. You can go to Phoenix and clean out the bank account and whatever you want from his house. He doesn’t have any family that I know of. That’s why he came here, right?”
“Yes, and he does have a mom, but he’s told me more than once he hates her and that they lost touch. I’m just not sure it’s right to do that.”
“Of course, it is. He loved you. You should be set the rest of your life. You won’t have a need in the world or a care.”
“What are you going to do with his fifty-five-grand?” She narrowed her eyes at him and smiled.
“It’s yours if you want it. As I said, it was just a precaution.” He thought of the store and realized he had to go check it out too. With Jim nowhere in sight, he probably robbed him along with Beth and Lolly and skipped town. But if he had decided to break into the house, he sure as shit tried taking something from the store. “Come with me? I think we should check the office.”
“Shit.” She let out a long breath. “You don’t think they’d rob the store, do you?”
“I never trust anyone not to do anything.” He hurried out, and when she was out of the closet with him, he unlocked the door, and they walked out of the bathroom. He went for his keys. She grabbed her handbag, and they rushed to the store a couple of miles away.
He went in the back, and everything seemed okay, but once he went to this office, he found the safe had been opened with a torch. “Yep, looks like they got me here too.”
“They get a lot?” Brandy’s eyes were ringed dark, and he knew she needed to be home getting some sleep.
“I’ll check the deposits,” he said. “Unlike my personal money, I do deal with the bank when it comes to my business.” He pulled up the account. “Looks like everything is good. I’ll call the bank and talk to the others tomorrow.”
She sat down in one of the chairs and let out a long breath. “I need to go in the trailer and get a few things to take back to your house. I should probably call his work eventually and let them know he’s passed away.”
“Yeah, eventually, but no rush,” said Justin. “I’m sorry that our homecoming was overwhelming, and I just made it worse showing you all of my shit. I guess I took what you said to heart and realized you were right. If something had happened to me, no one would know what all I’ve got. It would be a shame to let it fall into the wrong hands. Besides, you’re in the will, so it seemed like you should know.”
“Wait, what?”
He realized he’d just dropped another bomb. “You’re in my will. I had it changed years back. The house, the stores, all of it. It’s all yours. You’re the only thing I’ve got like family. I wasn’t kidding, Brandy. I’m going to take care of you.”
She walked over and kissed his cheek. “You sweet man, I believe you. You’ve done more for me than I deserve. My mistakes have always made me feel unworthy. You and Corey have been the only people I know that made me feel human.”
He understood what she meant. Guilt could take away one’s feeling of humanity and self-worth. He’d learned that lesson years ago at Camp Victory.
Chapter 13
Bay
Bay was glad to be back home to finish healing, and though he’d taken time off from court, he still had a load of paperwork waiting for him. He’d spent his first full day back home trying to catch up with everything and wishing he’d found a different career path. Dr. Bay Collins had a nice ring to it, but he hated hospitals and people, so there was that.
The house was quiet. Mia had gone to bed early, and his coffee had turned cold because what he really wanted was a glass of bourbon. He scrubbed his face with his palms and winced at his shoulder that was still bandaged as he leaned back in his chair.
Bay’s phone lay on the desk, and he picked it up and turned it on, going immediately to his text log. There, several messages down, was the killer’s number along with their last message. It had been weeks since he last heard anything, and with the shooting and Corey’s death, he was curious to know why.
It couldn’t be because the killer had been arrested. But with that zealot Ken Sin sitting in lockup, he needed to be sure. He still knew he didn’t have any ties to him or the Zodiacs, but with all of the court cases he’d won and people the Slayer had left slaughtered on the courtroom floor, there was no telling who might have an agenda, especially if someone talked.
While the others were certain they hadn’t spilled information to anyone, he had no way of grilling the dead members for their missteps. He had considered meeting with Ken Sin just to clear his mind, but he wondered if reaching out to the killer was a better way.
He hit the comment bar, and the keyboard popped up. What the hell. He let his fingers dance across the letters. He wrote, “I know you’re still out there. Clever move you’re playing.”
With any luck, the killer would give him some kind of response. He wondered if Darek had done the same.
Before he could ask, he heard the gate alarm sound. Someone was entering his private compound
. He turned his phone over to the security camera and saw a dark SUV in his circle drive.
He got to his feet and found his gun. He wasn’t expecting anyone, and Mia wasn’t allowed to have company that time of night, nor was any of the staff. Whoever it was, they knew the code or had managed to get past needing one.
He crept down the stairs and hurried across to see out the window. A guy dressed all in black got out of the driver’s seat and reached back into the car. Bay waited until he got out, and then he walked around to the back, but because of a large topiary, he didn’t have a good view, and since something blocked his front door camera, he had no clue what was going on. Fucking Alan Lowe and his shitty, outdated security.
He walked to the window on the other side of the door to get a better look, but before he could get in position, he heard a rattle on the knob. He’d missed whoever had come to the door. He felt his heart began to race, and he readied his gun, training it on the door to shoot whoever came through it.
The door opened slowly, and footsteps sounded on the tiled entry. When the lights came on, he moved forward and stuck his gun right in Lila’s face.
She screamed, her shrill voice sounding like a squeaky toy. “Jesus, Bay!” She dropped her bag and put a protective hand on her stomach and one in the air.
“What the fuck are you doing home?” He looked down at her little baby bump and put the gun down on the nearest table.
Her shoulders slumped, and she stepped into the house and shut the door. “I’ve been so worried. I convinced Rose Marie to let me come, and while she said you’d be livid with me, I don’t care. I was almost a widow.” She broke down into tears.
“And I nearly just shot my wife’s face off and killed my unborn child. Could you not pick up a goddamned phone?”
She wiped her eyes and then held out her arms. Bay welcomed her with a hug and then planted a soft kiss in her hair. She was a welcomed sight, even though he hadn’t wanted her to come home.
“I’m okay, just like I told you on the phone.” He pulled away and placed his palm flat on her belly. “How’s my baby?”
“We’re fine, thanks for caring. But I’ve got to pee. That long trip from the airport was unpleasant, and since you scared me to death, I nearly tinkled in my pants.”
“Sorry, but you shouldn’t sneak up on a man who has recently been shot. Especially when you show up unannounced. I’ve been jumpy.”
She walked across the room to the hall and then disappeared into the bathroom. Bay remembered Mia was still in his bed. Shit.
He walked to the kitchen and dialed her number. He had a feeling a deep sleep wouldn’t stop her from taking a call. The phone was like a permanent accessory, like a vacuum cleaner attachment, and sure enough, after one ring, she answered.
“Hello?” Her voice was anxious.
“Your sister is home. You might want to go to your own room.”
“Shit!”
He hung up the phone as Lila opened the bathroom door, and by the time she stepped back into the front room, he had made it to the kitchen. “Have you eaten?” he called out to her.
She joined him. “I had something on the plane, but yes, I’m starving.”
“That’s because airplane peanuts are not a sufficient meal for our unborn child. You know I want you to keep eating regularly.” He walked over to the fridge and took out some meat and vegetables. Then he walked over to the counter to find a loaf of bread. “Sit. I’ll feed you.”
Lila sat quietly as he made her a sandwich and then he brought it over and placed it in front of her. “Thank you,” she said.
“You’re welcome. At least if your mouth’s busy, I know you won’t argue with me when I tell you that you can’t stay here. It’s still not safe. My getting shot is proof enough of that.”
She picked up the sandwich and put it to her lips. “I’m not going to fight you. I just missed my home and my husband.” She took a bite.
Bay rolled his eyes. He should have known stuffing her face wouldn’t shut her up. “You can’t miss me if you’re dead, Kitten.”
She took a napkin from the counter and wiped her mouth. “Do you think it was an angry client? Someone who followed you to the New Orleans? Or maybe they called ahead to some bad people who did it for them. They might be a mob family or angry bikers.” She took another bite, scarfing the food down like she hadn’t eaten in days instead of hours.
“I don’t know, but it’s good to know that all of your Netflix binging has turned you into a detective.” His phone sounded, and he took it out, frowning when it was just an all-clear from Mia.
After another two minutes of stuffing her face, Lila gave him a hard look. “Where is my sister?” She ate the last bite.
“She’s upstairs asleep. Safe and sound.” He didn’t want to get into a fight with her over her sister. If he had, he’d have left Mia where she was and not made the warning call.
Lila nodded and wiped her mouth. “I’m going to bed. Will you join me?”
“Yes, I’ll just go and shut things off in the office. I’ve been working all day.”
“I’ll be waiting.” She got to her feet and stepped over to kiss him. When she pulled away, she gave him a longing look.
He followed her up the stairs, and when they got to the top, he turned and went into his office and Lila went on to their room.
His phone sounded as he reached for the light switch, and he stopped to see if it was Mia again. But this time, it was from the killer’s number.
; )
Never before had one of those stupid winking texts given him that much satisfaction. But now that he had the killer talking, he wasn’t going to let them disappear so quickly.
He sat on his couch and typed another message. Talk to me. Tell me what’s on your mind.
Even though he was prepared to wait a minute, the killer shot a message right back. Eats you up inside that you can’t control this, doesn’t it?
“I have you talking now, motherfucker. I know you’re still out there.” He typed another message. Did you shoot me?
Did I? You have more enemies than me, Slayer.
About that time, Lila’s screams of anger and Mia’s defensive pleas echoed down the hallway, followed by a loud boom. “Shit!” He hurried down the hall and followed the commotion, which came from Mia’s room instead of his own.
“You little bitch!” screamed Lila.
“What the fuck is going on?” Bay shot into the room to find Mia was on the floor, trying to cover herself as Lila kicked the shit out of her. He hurried over and pulled his pregnant wife away. “Stop it, Lila!”
“That slut was in my bed! The goddamned covers were still warm, Bay. And my pillows smell like that little cunt’s cheap perfume!”
Mia got to her feet and lashed out, slapping Lila across the face. “It’s not cheap, you clueless bitch. Your man only buys me the best!”
Bay’s blood boiled, seeing Mia attack the mother of his child. He grabbed Mia and slapped her so hard her lip split open. “Are you out of your mind?” He shook her hard, and for a moment, he thought he might kill her. “That’s my fucking baby in there, you spoiled cunt.”
Mia’s eyes were wild with fear, and when Lila finally pried his hands off of her, Mia fell to the floor, crawling away from him and into the corner.
Bay spun around on Lila. “Are you insane? Lashing out and getting into a physical battle with her while you’re carrying my child?”
“I want a divorce,” cried Lila, who turned and ran to her room.
Bay turned to Mia and walked over, slowly approaching as he tried to control his anger. “I hope you’re happy with yourself.”
“I’m sorry.” He hoped the guilt ate her alive. Without another word, he left to smooth things over with his wife. She needed to be reminded there was no way out too.
Chapter 14
Darek
After taking some much needed time off, Darek was glad to see his desk again, and while he walked across the room toward it, Ma
x stepped in his way, and he bumped into him. “Good to have you back in one piece, man.”
“I guess everyone has heard?” He knew once the rumor mill got to running, everyone would be privy to what happened on his trip. He wondered if he’d heard it from Mia but thought better of bringing her up unless he did.
“Yeah, the chief told me the other day. Said you needed a little extra time. We wondered if you were lost on a gulf beach somewhere and didn’t want to return to this heaven.”
“Nah. I wish.” Darek gave a half-hearted smile, wishing things had turned out differently.
“You’re a lucky, SOB. I heard it was a real firestorm. Others were wounded.” Max followed him to his desk.
“Yeah, one of the others on the scene didn’t make it. Died of a blood clot.” He didn’t have to tell Max other details. With the shooting being public, it wasn’t like Darek had to know the other victims.
“Damn, man. I’m sorry to hear it. What the hell happened?”
Darek still couldn’t believe that he wasn’t talking to Mia about it. He thought for sure she’d called Max during her free time at Lane’s, even though it had been brief. “Some assholes just drove by and started unloading bullets into the crowd. My girl took a shot to her wrist.” He let the words fall stale on his lips. She wasn’t his girl anymore. He tried to remind himself that he was better off, but considering the way things had gone down with Lizzy, he wasn’t sure about that either. He looked over to her desk. “She in?” He knew it would be awkward seeing her but hoped at the very least to put everything behind them.
Max’s expression faded. “Yeah, but with the DA holding strong on Ken Sin, she’s already spending more time at her other office.”
Darek knew their partnership was only because of the case, and he’d always known once it was over, she’d go back to her normal routine. He had only hoped that perhaps he’d get to go with her, but he grew less and less certain of that by the day.
