Caged

by Shanna Ehrlich

  “It wasn’t a segue, and it’s not what I want you to move, it’s who.”

  Trevor knew what he meant without needing further explanation and his face paled. “You want me to get her to move here?” It wasn’t going to happen. He knew Annie too well. He just signed his death certificate without even realizing. “And if I can’t?”

  “That’s not an option for me. You’ll keep trying until you do.”

  “You don’t get it. She’s all about appearances and impressing her family and shit. She’ll never go for it. Fuck,” he cursed quietly and his leg began to shake.

  “Calm down Trevor. All I’m asking is for you to help change her mind. I’ll do what I can tonight, but if she still leaves tomorrow, then it’s all you. I’d do it myself, but leaving right now isn’t an option for me. That’s why I need you. She trusts you. I’m sure you’ll be able to talk her into it eventually. You might have to partake in some unethical behavior, but it will be better than the contrary.”

  “Which is? You’re going to fucking kill me if I don’t get her to move.”

  “No. That’s not how this agreement works. I told you I need you to be my right hand man. I’m not just going to off you if you can’t make things happen. If I did that to all my men, I wouldn’t have any. No, the contrary is that I kill her husband, which I really don’t want to do. She obviously cares about him, and while I’m an asshole and that option was originally my first choice, I don’t want to hurt her like that. I promised I would never hurt her, and I don’t intend on breaking that promise. That’s why I need you. I need you to keep an ear out for opportunities and take them when they arise.”

  “What kind of opportunities?”

  “I don’t know,” he ran a hand threw his hair. “Get creative. If they have a fight, maybe hint that she should leave him. If you want to get more creative, slash his tires before he’s due for a big day in court. Try to get him fired, give them money problems. That always seems to murky things up.”

  Trevor finished off his second drink, now thoroughly tipsy, but still had the common sense to understand that the carefree, loving and happy person he used to be was out the window. He traded those traits in for money and a life, and there was no going back. “She’ll never find out, right? Even if I pull it off?”

  “She better fucking not. That’s what I was referring to about loyalty. If you’re loyal to me, I’ll be loyal to you. If anyone even remotely figures out what we’re doing and tries to tell her, I’ll fucking kill them. Wouldn’t hesitate for a second.”

  “Okay,” Trevor said, starring down at his shoes while thinking; wondering if he could ever forgive himself for what he was going to do. “So what happened at the police station tonight? She’s going to assume we talked about it. You might want to tell me quick.”

  Braxton hesitated. His confident stature turning to one of unease. “Bethany doesn’t want you involved. She feels it’s unfair to bring you in without knowing the consequences, her words, not mine, but since we’ve established our arrangement, I think you absolutely do know the consequences. However, I promised her I wouldn’t tell you the truth, and I won’t break that promise. So you can feel free to read between the lines of what I’m about to say and draw your own conclusions, but when she comes back down, you will only know what I’ve told you, and will undoubtedly believe me.” He stopped for a sip of his drink before continuing. “The police suspect I’m involved with a local crime syndicate called the Em Oh Three. Which is absolutely not fucking true. They took Bethany in because someone at the party last night claimed I raped her, which made them think she would easily roll over on me. Too bad for them, their source was a lying little prick just looking for revenge.” He took another sip of his drink, swirling the liquid around in what looked like an effort to get the bad taste out of his mouth in reference to the prick he had just mentioned. “When they realized they brought her in under false circumstances, they showed her pictures of things they claim I did in an effort to scare her into talking. She didn’t believe any of it, and swore up and down they had the wrong guy.”

  Trevor decided it was time to jump in, there were things he didn’t buy. “Okay, as best friend here, who still thinks you are an upstanding, New York businessman, I would have some issues believing this. I assume An— um, Bethany,” he corrected, “knows the truth about everything, which is fucking weird by the way. I can’t even imagine how that topic of conversation comes up, but whatever, somehow she knows, but she doesn’t want me to know, so if I just heard this story, my initial reaction would be to wonder how well she really knows you. Can she guarantee with her life that you didn’t do what they said you did? I might act like everything is all hunky dory in front of you, but I would absolutely freak out on her and ask if she knows for sure. I’d be worried she was too smitten with you to see the truth.”

  Braxton contemplated that for a minute. “What if the situation were different and the police were asking you if Bethany had killed those people. You would absolutely know the answer to that question is no, would know it in your gut. That’s how it was for her. She knew they were lying. She knows me that well. I’ve told her every detail. She knew I would never do anything like that.”

  “Wait, I’m confused. Did you really not do it?”

  “No. I didn’t. Well, there was one thing. That’s not the point though. I’m going to need you to get behind the fact that Bethany knows me well enough to know what’s true and what’s not.”

  “I can’t,” Trevor wiped the sweat from his palms on his pants. Braxton still made him nervous. “If the police told me Bethany was a murderer, then yes, I would know they were lying pieces of shits. But I’ve known her almost twenty years. She’s known you less than a week. I have a hard time believing she would vouch for you and tell the police you were innocent after only a week. I’m just being real with you.”

  “Doesn’t she assess criminals for a living? She would know right off the bat if I were like them.”

  “Yes, she does, and that’s probably how she’ll spin it, but I’m just saying, from your story alone, I would bring it up again when you weren’t around. I think she’ll be suspicious if I don’t, and it’s going to be really hard to talk her into staying tomorrow when I’m going to have to have a little freak out moment on her.”

  “Fuck,” he cursed to himself. “I should never have promised her I wouldn’t tell you. It’d be a lot more explainable if I could.” He thought to himself for a minute, spinning the near empty glass in his palm. “Fine. You question her. If she comes back here tomorrow intending to leave or not, you—”

  “She will,” Trevor interrupted. “She will leave tomorrow. I guarantee it.” Braxton’s eyes met his and a flash of anger shot through them. He looked like he was about to throw the glass at his head and instinctually Trevor cringed and put up his arms.

  “What makes you so sure?” His voice was a lot calmer than his demeanor.

  “Please don’t kill me when I tell you this, but she hasn’t been entirely honest with you and I know her too well. She’ll never tell you now. Even if for some crazy reason you were able to talk her into staying, into leaving everything, she wouldn’t because that would mean she holds you in a higher regard than everything else in her life and she wouldn’t want to admit that she’s been lying to you from the beginning.”

  “Spit it the fuck out.”

  Trevor couldn’t believe what he was about to say. He was going to sell his friend out for the money. Money he didn’t even have yet. What if this was a set up? What if Braxton never planned on giving him the money at all? Was going to have him sell her out and then tell her all about it. About how her friend is a backstabbing asshole and she was better off without him. Would he do that? Trevor looked up at him and the answer was clear. Absolutely. He was trying to get her husband out of the picture, why not Trevor too? Or maybe, he would have been taken out of the picture if he hadn’t agreed to be his fucking dog. Maybe that’s what saved him. Shit shit shit, he cursed to
himself, not knowing what to do. He had only seconds more to make a decision. Braxton looked like the Incredible Hulk who was about to explode and pummel him. He was truly damned if you do and damned if you don’t. At this point he could only trust Braxton would be true to his word. Would give him the money and never mention it to Annie, because on the other hand, if he was true to his word and Trevor didn’t tell him her secret, he was going to end up in a morgue when he finds out. Which he will. It’s not that hard to get ahold of somebody’s name. The police station has it, the lawyer probably knows it. He’s going to find out sooner rather than later.

  Decision made, he turned toward the stairs, a precautionary measure to make sure she wasn’t there and thank fuck he did because she was walking down. Turning back to face Braxton his eyes widened and his heart pounded harder, worried he was caught. Did she hear him? How long was she standing there?

  Braxton acted like nothing happened and stood to greet her, his indifference too natural for Trevor’s preference. He was obviously well versed in deceit.

  “You guys are quiet,” she said, pushing a strand of wet hair behind her ear. “Did you get a chance to talk about everything?”

  “We did,” Braxton replied and gave her a peck on the lips.

  Trevor just continued to sit in the chair, staring off into nothing. What would you say if you didn’t know anything? Think damn it, think. What were you thinking before she left to take a shower? He could barely remember, it felt like days ago. Oh yes, he was pissed she acted like a fucking twit and did whatever her dickwad boy toy told her to do. The Annie he knew would have told him to go to hell.

  “Trevor,” she looked over to him, “You’re being unusually quiet. Are you okay?”

  “Oh me. I’m fine,” he shrugged. “I had to hear about what happened from him instead of my best friend, but whatever. All good. Glad to know it was all a bunch of lies. I’m sure if it were true he’d be jumping at the chance to tell us, seeing as though we all know each other so well.” He glared at her, daring her to say otherwise.

  She walked over to the couch and sat down next to him with a sigh. “I fucked up, didn’t I? I should have told you myself.”

  “Yes, you should have. Do you mind,” he rudely looked toward Braxton. “Maybe you should go call your lawyer and make sure he got everything cleared. I would really fucking love to go home tomorrow.”

  “Trevor!” Annie yelled. “Brax, please give us a minute.”

  The hate in Braxton’s eyes made Trevor think he was considering shooting him on the spot, damn the consequences. If their arrangement were further along, maybe he would have realized his demand for him to leave, was really the answer he was looking for. The lawyer. The more Trevor thought about it, the more he realized the lawyer knew the truth. That’s what he was so insistent to talk to Braxton about before they left. It only made sense. Braxton must have told the lawyer to go into the station for a girl named Bethany. Bet the lawyer wasn’t too happy about looking like a total idiot when the girl in question turned out to be named Annabel. And if he had a loyalty to Braxton, like everyone he surrounds himself with, he most definitely would have pushed to tell him.

  “Sure, no problem. I’ll just,” he looked around, “be upstairs. Take as long as you need.”

  He played the part of thoughtful boyfriend well, but Trevor knew better. He’d likely stand close enough to hear the whole thing. Annie probably knew better too.

  Braxton walked up the stairs cursing Trevor the entire way. That fucking homo prick. If he tells her he’s fucking dead. I will slit his throat before he can even get all the words out. Stopping at the top he stood still and listened.

  “What’s going on Trevor?” she asked. “It’s all lies. He didn’t do any of it.”

  “And you’re sure about that? You don’t even know him. I highly doubt the DA would take the time to stop you from getting on the plane if they didn’t have any real evidence.”

  “Trust me, they didn’t. I deal with this stuff every day. It was all circumstantial. Did he tell you where they’re getting their information from?

  “No.” Trevor took a second to think. “Well he mentioned someone from the party.”

  “Yes. Mike.”

  “The guy who drove us home?”

  “That’s the one. His dad’s the DA. Brax pissed him off at the party and he basically just made up a bunch of shit to get him arrested.”

  Trevor whistled a sound of shock. “Well if he isn’t really a murderer, he might be soon. Fuck. Mike? Really? Why couldn’t you have told me that?”

  “It wasn’t my story to tell. This is his life and Mike just spread a bunch of lies. If he wants to be the one to tell you the truth, I wasn’t going to stop him. I’m sure he was embarrassed. Wanted to talk man to man and not have a girl defend him. You know how guys are. I was just being considerate.”

  “Okay, I get it, but you’re definitely sure it’s all lies? Cause I’m not sure how I feel about hanging out with a guy who may or may not be a murderer. Jesus girl, have I ever told you, you know how to pick them?”

  “I know, right?” she laughed. “But yes, I’m positive. He didn’t do it. You don’t have anything to worry about.”

  “Okay, but if he did, you know you could tell me right? I wouldn’t freak out or judge you or anything.”

  “I know. I’d tell you. Of course I’d tell you.”

  It was quiet for a moment and Braxton struggled to hear what was happening. A rustling on the couch, the sound of a peck, and then a knock at the door.

  “Oh, that’s probably room service. Lover boy ordered a bunch of food.”

  “Thank god. I’m starving. I’ll go get it.”

  Braxton heard her jog to the door and wondered if it was an appropriate time for him to go back. Not caring either way, he stepped down the stairs in time to hear Bethany call out to Trevor.

  “Well it’s not room service, but you might think it’s good enough to eat,” she laughed to herself, but Trevor didn’t seem to think it was funny.

  “John? What are you—” he cut himself off, glancing at the duffle and recovered faster than Braxton could give him credit. “What are you doing with a duffle? Pretty presumptuous huh? Maybe I wasn’t planning on having you stay the night,” he winked.

  Stetson was one step behind Braxton in figuring out what was going on. Stetson was John, John was Stetson. One in the same. No wonder he left out the part about a guy staying over in Bethany’s room. It was him. He didn’t feel the need to mention it because it wasn’t some random fucking Joe. It made so much sense now.

  “John was it?” Braxton asked. “Why don’t you go put the bag in Trevor’s room. Trevor show him where it is. I ordered a ton of room service and it should be here any minute. Come back when you’re done and eat with us,” he smiled, patting Trevor on the back as they walked away.

  Trevor led John down the hallway toward the bottom level master, paling in contrast to the upstairs master, which seemed important when he first searched through the hotel, but now he could care less.

  John was a fucking asshole. He was working for Braxton the entire time. It wasn’t hard to figure out. Trevor hadn’t called him to tell him to come over. Too focused on all of Annie’s drama he never even mentioned to him they missed their flight. As far as John should have known, they were back in Phoenix, so when he saw him standing in the doorway with the duffle, the bag of cash meant for him, everything clicked into place. Was any of what they had real, or just a way for him to keep tabs on Annie? Fuck. This was another person who knew her real name. Why hadn’t he mentioned it to Braxton yet?

  “I thought you went back home today,” said John.

  “Well we were supposed to, but ran into some complications. What the fuck do you care anyways? Were you ever going to tell me the truth? Was it all just an act?”

  “No. Of course it wasn’t an act. I meant everything I told you. At first it was my job, yes, I had to get close, but it was only a one-night job. I didn’t have
to stick around, but I did, because of you,” John pushed a finger at Trevor’s chest. “Now it’s your turn to explain. What’s with the fucking cash? You working for him now too?”

  Trevor was going to have to lie again, but the bag of cash sitting on the bed helped resign him to the idea. “No. I’m not. It’s a little embarrassing, but I’m short on cash and he offered to loan me the money to get me back on my feet and I’m not above taking it from a rich guy who probably won’t even remember he gave it to me. I just didn’t want Annie to know, hence the duffle and secrecy.”

  Trevor walked to the bed and unzipped the black bag. Inside, hundred dollar bills were banded into ten stacks. Huh. He would have thought one hundred thousand dollars would look like more, but it was all there. Ten stacks of ten thousand each.

  “Speaking of your friend Annie, is she ever going to tell Braxton she gave him the wrong name?”

  “I’m guessing she’s going to tell him tonight. Why didn’t you tell him?”

  “Honestly, I tried. I’ve called him several times today and the only time he even acknowledged my existence was to send me to my boss to pick up a bag of cash. The way I see it, he doesn’t deserve to know now. Fucking asshole.”

  “Well, in his defense, it’s been a busy day.” Was Trevor already defending the guy? Why did he care if one more person hated him? It’s not like he could tell John about what happened. He shouldn’t have brought it up. “We had some issues at the airport and he was a big help. And if it makes you feel any better, I didn’t see him take anyone’s calls. He just sat with her all day. I think he wanted to make up for the fight they got in last night.”

  John looked down at him sitting on the bed. “What about us? Are we going to make up?”

  “I think we’re going to have to. Braxton asked you to join us for dinner so it’s probably in your best interest to do so, and Annie thinks I’m the one who invited you here so it looks like it’s in mine as well.”