“I love you too Keith.”
“And I shouldn’t have brought up the baby thing. I know it upsets you and you’re in New York to have fun. I was being an asshole. Forgive me?”
If anyone was being an asshole it was her. “Of course I forgive you. And you aren’t an asshole. Not even close. I’m going to think about it babe. I promise.”
“You don’t have to. We don’t have to rush it. I shouldn’t have asked. I just.”
“Shhh,” she hushed him. “We’ll talk about it when I get back. Tomorrow, okay?”
“Okay, but that’s not why I sent the flowers Annabel. We don’t have—”
“I know,” she cut him off again. “Let’s talk about something else. Tell me some more about this new case.”
They spent the next hour talking on the phone like they used to before they were married. Neither one wanting to hang up, both realizing how important it was for them to reconnect and ironic enough they were doing it while two thousand miles away.
Another knock sounded at the door and Annie quickly said her goodbyes, nervous again it would be Brax. She didn’t know what she was going to do about him. Trevor swung open the door as soon as she hung up the phone and Mandy and Sara walked in, practically pushing him out of the way.
“You guys are not going to believe this! We just got invited to a house party. A real New York house party, holy shit!” This was the most excited and animated they’d seen Mandy since they arrived. “It’s all the way out in Brooklyn, but who cares! Annie, what are you still doing in your dress from last night? Go change. This is happening.”
Annie could think of nothing she wanted to do more. Going to a house party meant she could get away with ignoring Brax longer, or at least try to.
“Actually Mands,” Trevor spoke up, “I made plans to hang out with John tonight. He’s taking me to the Empire State Building after hours. He works security there and can get us up. You guys want to go? Maybe we can do the party after?”
“No,” Mandy said frustrated. “We don’t want to go and you’re not going either.”
Shocking, Sara took Trevor’s side. “Speak for yourself, that sounds awesome! I want to go. Can Max go too?”
“Right?! Hell yeah Max can come.” Trevor was really excited, but Mandy wasn’t letting it go.
“No. I’m so sick of this. We came to New York to spend time together and I’ve done everything you guys wanted to do all week. It’s my turn now and we’re all going together. I’m not taking no for an answer. You’re not all ditching me for guys again.” It was her mom voice. They all knew when she used that voice they might as well get on board; they wouldn’t win the argument.
John hung up with Trevor after learning of their change of plans and immediately dialed Cage. He wouldn’t be happy about this. John was tasked to get them all apart for the night. He paid Max a thousand dollars to take out Sara while he would be with Trevor, though as far as Cage knew it was the other way around. John wasn’t ready to come out to Cage. It was none of his fucking business. This was his first real job. He wasn’t going to fuck it up by telling his boss he was gay. Rich men like Cage, they never like that sort of thing. They all think it makes him weak and he learned early on in life it was better to stand by the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy.
Cage was supposed to be in charge of taking care of Mandy; said he had it under control, but nothing seemed like it was under control. They were dead set on going to the party together. Amazingly, Cage didn’t seem bothered by the change of plans.
“Looks like we’re going to a party instead. I’ll pick you up at eight and we can discuss the details on the way, but this changes nothing. You handle Sara, keep her distracted and make sure that John guy gets Trevor to leave with him. Trevor’s the only one I’m really worried about fucking things up for us. He needs to go. I’ll make sure Mandy needs to leave at some point too. Then you and Sara can take her back to the hotel. It’s as easy as that.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll make sure it’s done.”
“And Stetson. Find out whose fucking party this is and get a copy of the list. Do some recon and figure out what we’re walking into. I need to know what kind of people are going to be there. What they do for a living. If there’s anything we can hold over them if needed.”
“Yes sir, but what do you think’s going to happen? Is that really something you’re going to need? I thought you just wanted alone time with your girl?”
“I know you’re new to this, so I’m going to let that slide, but lesson one Stetson, never fucking question me. And lesson two, always come prepared. You never know what you’re walking in to. You get one pass and that was yours. Don’t ever ask me something stupid again.”
Braxton disconnected the phone without valediction and went back to lifting the three hundred pound dead weights at his feet. After finishing the twelfth rep, his muscles burned, just the way he liked. He dropped the weights, finished for the day and dialed Roland. He was going to do whatever it took to keep her. It’d be her choice though. He’d give her until tomorrow to choose. After that, if she chose wrong, he’d do things his way.
“What can I do for you Cage? How’s Stetson working out?”
“He’s fine. Green, but fine. He’ll get there. I have something for you though. I need you to look into Bethany. Find out everything. Where she lives, who her husband is, where she—”
“Her husband?” Roland interrupted.
“Don’t even get me fucking started on that. It is what it is. I’m taking care of it. Just find out everything.”
“You know I will. You got a last name?
“Yes. Andrews. Bethany Andrews. She’s a psychology professor at Michigan State. That should help get you started.”
“Great. When do you need it?”
“Yesterday. As soon as you can.”
“Not a problem. It will be my top priority.”
“Thank you Roland.” Braxton didn’t make it a habit to thank people, but he held the utmost respect for Roland. He was the best in the business, had a list of clients a mile long, but always put Braxton first.
Hanging up he walked to his closet, opened the hidden safe and used the burner phone to send a quick text. In the short time it took for him to shower and change the call he was expecting sounded. Without checking the caller ID, he answered, knowing who it would be.
“An inmate is attempting to contact you from Attica Correctional Facility. Press one if you would like to accept the call.” Pressing one, he waited for the line to connect.
“I wasn’t expecting this from you,” Cole’s voice could freeze air. He wasn’t happy to make this call. It would bring unwarranted attention. Cole had a cell phone smuggled in to be used only in the time of an emergency. If Ax was texting, he assumed it was one hell of an emergency. “Tell me.”
“I may need a leave of absence. I’ll know for sure tomorrow, but if I do it will happen quick and I need to make sure everything is in place. I’d like to ask Benny to take over while I’m gone.”
“Are you fucking kidding me Ax? Why?”
Braxton knew the question would come, of course it would, but he hesitated answering. “I have business in Michigan. I need to get something and bring it back. It may take a while.” When he got there he’d look into setting up a second branch. If she ended up wanting to stay, he wouldn’t deny her, but didn’t want to jump the gun and bring it up to Cole either.
“What are you talking about? What kind of business?”
“Personal.”
“No. We don’t have time for your personal bullshit. How could you even ask after the other night? Someone is trying to fuck us over and you want to run off to Michigan to take care of some personal shit. Hell fucking no. We come first. Always have, always will. I’m guessing this has to do with the slut you met?”
That took Braxton by surprise. “How do you know about her?”
“Word travels fast. Especially on the inside, and just so you know, I’m not going to war over some p
iece of ass you’re fucking. Fuck ‘em and dump ‘em. Remember? If she’s leaving for Michigan, then let her go. I need you here, in New York, with a clear fucking head.”
“I’m not letting her go.”
“Fine, then don’t, but you’re not going after her. You want her to stay, have her jumped in. She’ll be Emmo territory then, but she’ll be around and you can have her anytime you want. Or fucking leash her in your house like a goddamn pet. I don’t fucking care. But trust me, you will not go after her. You’ll stay here and figure this stuff out or I will make your life a living hell. You think I don’t have power from in here? Just fucking test me. One call. That’s all it would take. Do you know how many guys would kill for your position? I could give it to them, be done with you in the blink of an eye, but I don’t because you’re the fucking best, except when you’re being an insubordinate prick. It’s your choice, but if you do it, you’re done.” He hung up the phone, not giving Braxton the chance to respond. And now Cole knew where Bethany lived, couldn’t sneak away and go to her even if he wanted. Fuck.
Braxton stewed about it longer. Drank a beer alone at his dining table, thinking of a way to get her to stay. Having her jumped in was out of the fucking question. It’s not even something they did. They didn’t jump people in against their will, how could Cole have suggested that? The other idea was semi plausible if it weren’t for her friends. They knew who he was. He couldn’t keep her in his loft, would have to keep her somewhere else and then what, pretend to search for her? It would draw too much unnecessary attention and that’s not how he wanted her. Something like that would only make her hate him. Whatever he did, it needed to be subtle, under the radar to make things go his way. She needed to be further enlightened and tonight was his last night.
The girls and Trevor stepped into the elevator, excited for the night ahead of them. The doors opened to the lobby and Annie asked the bellman to hail a cab for them. She had considered calling Greg to pick them up, but knew he reported back to Brax on her whereabouts. There was no doubt in her mind he would show up at the party if she took a ride from Greg; whether he was invited or not. Her friends however, didn’t know her dilemma and verbally expressed their disinterest in taking a cab.
“Brax needs the car tonight. There’s nothing I can do.” From the disappointment on their faces she knew she couldn’t tell them the truth. They wouldn’t care if Brax showed up to the party. He’d been around all week, what’s one more night. They’d think it would be worth it for the free ride, especially Trevor who didn’t want to pay for a cab ride all the way to Brooklyn, even if it was split four ways. But Annie knew better. Once she saw him, all the emotions she spent the last couple hours suppressing would come right back to the surface.
Before the party they stopped at a bar just off the Brooklyn Bridge; a cheap place with fried food and affordable drinks. It was exactly what they were hoping for, but dressed to impress, they looked out of place.
“Do you ever notice how we always go to places where we don’t fit in?” Trevor asked as they sat down in one of the green booths up against a window. “Think about it. The bar in the hotel, the underground club, the biker bar, and now here. I’m beginning to think we just like feeling uncomfortable.”
“Maybe we just like the attention Trevor, ever think of that?” Sara asked. “Every time we go to a bar where we don’t fit in we always end up meeting people and having a good time. The only person who hasn’t met someone is Mandy.”
“And there’s a reason for that. I’m happily married thank you very much.” The awkward silence to follow had Mandy wondering what she said and it didn’t take long for her to realize. “Oh shit, I’m sorry Annie. I didn’t mean anything by that.”
“It’s okay,” she pressed her lips together and smiled. “I know you weren’t saying it toward me.” But fuck if that didn’t hurt.
“Screw it. I’m going to pick up a guy too. Why not? Different zip codes and all, right?” Watching Mandy try and talk herself into picking up a guy was funny enough, but then watching her look around the bar filled with overweight, drunken slobs to find one she could possibly see herself with was hysterical.
“Maybe it can be my turn at the party instead?”
They all laughed uncontrollably. Mandy wouldn’t pick up a guy at the party either, no matter what she said to the contrary, she’d always find a reason not to. She’d been infatuated with her husband ever since he spilled a Slurpee down the front of her shirt when they were just fifteen. From then on she only had eyes for him. Annie knew the feeling, it’s just too bad the feeling wasn’t with her own husband.
The rest of dinner was amazing. Everything seemed back to normal with the four of them. The four hussketeer’s together again. Brax called Annie four times and each time she let it go to voicemail. After they paid their bill he called again. She stared at the glass screen as it lit up, silently buzzing in her hand. Braxton Cage. She debated on answering. It would be easier to tell him over the phone. Her thumb hovered over the green answer button, but by the time she decided to press down, the call had ended. An icon noting five missed calls displayed across the screen; another icon below indicated four new texts. She dreaded reading them, afraid of what they would say, but she couldn’t not look.
Braxton Cage:
What’d I tell you about not answering your phone? Going to make you pay for it later ;) 7:15pm
I’ve been waiting for you to call me for over an hour and I really fucking hate waiting. You’re the only one who can get away with it. Not much longer though B. Call me.
I just broke that stupid fucking vase. Glass is everywhere and my house cleaner isn’t scheduled until tomorrow. I think I have anger management issues. Seriously though, please call me. I just used the word please. I think you’re making me go soft.
Two hours and counting. You know how Newton said every action has an equal and opposite reaction? Well he was fucking wrong. If you don’t call me right now, I can guarantee my reaction will not be equal. 9:28pm
It wasn’t fair for her to string him along like this, but she couldn’t call him, didn’t know what she would say. She took the cowards way out and sent him a text message.
We can’t do this anymore. I shouldn’t have kept you waiting to tell you that. I care about you. So much. Please don’t be angry, but this isn’t going to work. I know you’re going to try and talk me out of it, but don’t. Just let me go. 9:41pm
Braxton read the text over and over again, not fully believing what it said. We can’t do this anymore? Just let me go? Hell no. Instead of feeling rage, an eerie calmness took over his body. It was a feeling he knew well, one of clarity and strength. He experienced it every time he made a million-dollar deal, every time he exchanged drugs that could land him in prison for the rest of his life and every time before he pulled the trigger to kill a man.
He zoned out in his kitchen, thinking about what he was going to do. He never came to a decision before, and her text made it even harder. At least before she was teetering on choosing him, now she seemed to have fallen off the ledge and needed to be put back in place; to remember that he and she are one in the same.
A new cab dropped the girls off at the house that took up a better part of the block. A metal, black, slatted gate enclosed the property and two men dressed in suits guarded the entrance. A slew of people aging from twenty-five to forty were disembarking their fancy cars and finding their way inside, making Annie and the girls long once again for their driver.
“Your name please ma’am,” one of the men asked as they approached.
“Oh that’s me, Mandy Christianson.” The man scanned the list, finally finding her name and nodding his approval for them to continue forward.
Once inside, the party was everything they expected: bartenders in each corner, a DJ, passed hors d’oeuvre’s and everything else parties back home didn’t have. They were in heaven and stopped only to get drinks before making their way to the dance floor, better known as the gigantic, o
pen-space living room with hard wood floors. Moving along with the hundreds of other guests, they laughed and enjoyed themselves, but by the time they were on their second round of drinks, Trevor was on his phone more than dancing.
“Get off your damn phone!” Mandy yelled.
“John’s here. I have to go get him.”
“Fine, whatever. You better freaking come back.”
“I will,” he called over his shoulder, already halfway off the dance floor.
Half an hour and two shots later, Trevor and John finally got around to showing their faces. Trevor reintroduced him to everyone, though Annie needed no further introduction. She already knew John way to well.
“Nice to see you all again,” he waved to no one in particular before directing a question toward Sara. “Where’s Max? You finally tame him enough to get you drinks?”
“No,” Sara replied with a groan. “I told him to fuck off. He kept insisting on being here. It was weird. No one else was bringing a guy so I decided I wouldn’t either. Trevor apparently didn’t get the memo.”
“Oh,” his voice cracked a little, and he ignored the comment about Trevor not getting the memo, too focused on what she said about Max. Cage was going to fucking kill him. “Well there’s plenty more guys here, right? Who needs Max if he’s going to be weird.”
“Exactly,” Sara agreed while guzzling the rest of her drink.
The girls started gossiping about the rich, slutty chicks they left behind on the dance floor, but all John could think of was getting to Cage, coming up with another plan. He dropped him off and had the car circle around to keep them from being seen together, but John needed to tell him the new intel before he arrived.
Waiting what he felt was an appropriate amount of time, all the while trying to stand still and pretend to enjoy the conversation, he finally interrupted. “Hey, has anyone found a bathroom in this place yet?”
Caged Page 20
