“Did you order more shoes?” I asked her.
“Nope,” she shook her head. The driver pulled a crate from his truck, and brought it down the sidewalk. Lily signed for the package and opened it up.
“What the hell?”
“Apricots,” she said, lifting one from the box and holding it between us.
“That’s a shitload of apricots,” I said, eyeing the crate. There were at least three dozen, maybe more. “What are you going to do with them?” Lily wasn’t much of a cook.
“I’m doing a fast,” she said, with a wispy smile, putting the apricot back in the box and picking it up.
“An apricot fast?” I asked. “Never heard of it.”
“I saw it on a commercial,” she smiled.
“What’s it supposed to do?”
She paused and smiled, looking almost serene and young again, if only for an instant.
“It’s supposed to clear energy and open up any spiritual blockage one might be plagued with.”
“Spiritual blockage, huh? With that much fiber, you won’t be blocked at all.”
“Don’t be gross,” she said, shaking her head.
“Apricots,” I replied, shaking my head in disbelief.
“When will you be back?” she asked, turning before closing the front door. I knew she wanted to come with me, of course. But after the other night, I think she also knew not to cross me by insisting.
I was thankful for that, because I didn’t like hitting her. She made me do it, every single time. I always felt bad afterwards. Mostly, I was disappointed she’d pushed me so hard.
If only she’d stay in line…but she didn’t seem to be able to go too long without fucking up. Maybe it’s in her blood, I don’t know. Maybe she can’t change. Once a fuck up, always a fuck up, I guess.
“I’m not sure,” I replied. “A few days, probably.”
She smiled and nodded, before closing the door.
The silence of the car was comforting as I wound down the winding roads that led out of the West Hills, through the offensive stench of wealth, away from the self-righteous condemnation that hung in the air. With each turn, I was able to breathe a little better, my shoulders slowly relaxing, just thinking about the peacefulness that awaited me at the cabin.
I passed by the turn off to the parking lot of the rose gardens, ignoring the sound of Ma calling my name. I didn’t need her darkness throwing a shadow over my day.
Today was all about the good stuff.
I drove down the back way, hoping to avoid the touristy traffic that plagued the park. The scent of roses hung heavy in the air up here, and I smirked when I realized these rich bastards had even managed to buy better smelling air than the rest of the city, passing it off as a tourist attraction.
The weather was cooperating, too. Big, puffy white clouds drifted against a bright blue sky, sunshine pouring over the city. It was a perfect day for a drive, and I was pretty sure nothing was going to be able to mess with my mood today. I knew I’d hit a little traffic on the way out of town, but if that was the worst part of my day, I was fine with it.
There was nothing much more that I enjoyed than being alone.
Maybe I felt that way today because I knew it wouldn’t last. Not because I had to get back to the gym in a few weeks, with all the chaos that brought with it, but because before long, as soon as this fucking investigator did his job — I’d have a son.
I couldn’t wait to hold my boy in my arms, watch him smiling up at me and wrap his tiny little hand around my fingers. I imagined what it would feel like to have him fall asleep on me. How peaceful it all must be, how comforting, how empowering to know that I’d been the one to create such a beautiful boy.
The investigator told me it would take him a few days, so in the meantime, I was ready for the alone time. I sped through the neighborhood, zigzagging down the side streets, the imposing mansions sulking silently as I passed by. Speed bumps slowed me down in the middle of random streets, and as I slowed to a crawl to go over them, I turned my head to gaze at the elaborate yard of one of the houses.
That’s when I saw her.
A flash of red curls, a black and blonde German shepherd circling around her legs. A baby with a tuft of red hair, hitched up on her hip as she stared at my car passing by like she’d just seen a ghost.
The closer I got, the more her features came into view.
The freckles. The upturned nose.
“No fucking way,” I muttered to myself. The woman leaned down, grabbing the dog’s leash and turning to go inside.
That’s when I knew for sure.
That ass.
I’d spent so much time staring at that ass, I’d memorized every delicious curve. She’d given birth, and yet it looked exactly the same. Hell, it looked even better — tighter, harder, rounder.
My cock stirred in my jeans as I shook my head.
“You little bitch,” I said, my heart racing. “You beautiful little bitch! Looks like I found you, Scarlet. Now, what the hell is a whore like you doing at this fancy ass house?”
I passed by the front door, watching as she closed it, looking over her shoulder quickly before disappearing from view. I drove around the block once, noting the address, before I pulled over a block away and out of sight.
Rosen answered on the first ring.
“I found her,” I said.
“What?”
“Yeah, maybe you should be paying me. Listen, the job has changed,” I rattled off the address quickly. “I need you to find out who owns this house. I want to know everything you can find out about who lives there.”
“I'm on it,” he said.
“How long?”
“Give me fifteen minutes. I’ll call you right back.”
“Hurry up.” I hung up, watching the house.
A slow smile spread across my face, all thoughts of going to the cabin fading away.
I’d found my boy.
Daisy
I locked the door with trembling hands.
I knew it was silly to be afraid. It was only a car.
Yes, it was a Bugatti Veyron.
Yes, there are only four hundred and fifty of them in existence.
Yes, there was a chance it could be Luke was behind the wheel, but there was also a chance that it was one of four hundred and forty-nine other people.
Besides, if it was Luke, if he had recognized me, there was no way in hell he would have kept on driving. Unless he wasn’t alone.
Due to the heavy tinting on the windows, it was impossible to see the features of who was inside that car. But the gold chain hanging from the rearview make my stomach flip.
But, I told myself, trying to calm my racing heart, the Bugatti that Luke had taken me for a ride in was white. This one was black.
Surely, he wouldn’t have spent another two and a half million dollars on a second Bugatti, no matter how much money he’d earned.
Who needed two Bugatti’s?
Right?
The chances of Luke being behind the wheel of that car was slim to none. I had to believe that if I wanted to keep breathing. Because if I let myself believe it was him, I’d have to allow this panic attack that was creeping up to blossom into a full on freak out.
“Don’t freak out,” I told myself, as I peeked out the window. The car kept driving, disappearing around the corner. I took a deep breath, and then another, shaking my head.
It was this neighborhood.
Everyone probably had Bugattis.
They were common up here.
I was just being silly.
No reason to be scared.
Not even the right color.
I checked the locks on all the doors and windows, putting Alex down for his nap. Chester sensed my mood, I think, and he followed me through the house, staying right at my heels.
I grabbed my phone, suddenly feeling the urge to hear Jason’s voice. I waited in the kitchen, my fingers drumming on the black and gold marble of the kitchen counter a
s his phone rang and rang.
No answer.
I sighed when I heard his voicemail answer. I waited for the beep and tried to control the shaking in my voice.
“Hey, it’s me. Um. Daisy. Everything’s fine. I just saw this car. I mean, I know it’s nothing, probably nothing, at least. I mean, we’re safe in the house and all. I think it’s just me, I don’t know. Anyway, I just wanted to hear your voice. See what time you’d be home today. You’re probably in surgery, saving someone’s life or something. Shit, I hope I didn’t interrupt. Anyway, like I said, we’re fine. Locked in the house. Just call when you can.”
I hung up, shaking my head. I’d sounded like a blubbering fool.
I looked around the kitchen, doing an exercise that my therapist had taught me to do when I was panicking.
“Look at five things,” I said, doing my best to breathe deeply. “Table. Chair. Fridge. Dog. Dishwasher.”
Everything was in its place, everything was calm and orderly.
I was okay.
I put my hand over my racing heart, my breathing slowly returning to normal.
“Everything’s fine,” I said. Chester looked up at me, cocking his head.
“We’re fine,” I repeated, my head spinning as the memories washed over me. “We’re just fine…”
“Want to go for a ride?” Luke asked me.“I got a new car. It’s pretty cool.”
Looking up in surprise, I crossed my arms over my bare breasts. We’d just had sex and he stood over me, sliding his jeans over his hips.
“What kind of car?” I asked.
“Does it matter?” he asked, lifting an eyebrow. “Besides, you probably never heard of it. You want to go for a ride or not?”
“Sure,” I shrugged off the sheets and stood up. He came up behind me as I grabbed my dress off the chair beside my bed. His arms circled my waist and he pulled me into him. The rippling muscles of his chest pressed against my back, the rough denim of his jeans scratching against my bare ass. He reached up, gripping a handful of my breasts and pressed his still hard cock into me.
“You’re really taking care of yourself, Scarlet,” he murmured.
“Thanks,” I replied. “I try. I have a lot of time to exercise.”
“I’m sorry I’m not around much,” he said. “I don’t have enough time to give you the attention you deserve.”
“It’s okay,” I said, silently saying a prayer of gratitude for that very fact.
“Don’t you miss me?” he asked, turning me around. He reached up, pinching my nipple playfully.
“Of course I do,” I said. “But I’m glad I have so much time to take care of myself properly for you.”
“Good answer,” he winked. I smiled, complacent as always.
“Let me get dressed,” I said, pulling away. His pinching hurt and I’d had enough of his creepy hands on my bare flesh for one day.
“Let’s go somewhere nice. Wear your highest heels and your shortest skirt. Get dolled up a little for me.”
“Okay, sure. Give me a few minutes.”
“No panties,” he said, winking. “I’m not done with you today.”
“Promise?” I asked, flirtatiously.
He laughed and slapped my ass as I walked away.
“That’s a threat,” he growled.
My skin crawled at his words.
He was rough. Sometimes, he was too rough.
When I complained to Ruby, she told me that was what he paid so much money for. I didn’t dare complain to him, or let him know he was hurting me. Maybe if I had, he would have stopped or at least lightened up a little, but I was too proud to complain to him. I didn’t want him to know how much he hurt me.
It was obvious he enjoyed it and I didn’t want to give him that pleasure.
He was buying my body, not my soul.
After I got dressed in a sparkly silver mini-dress and a pair of sleek black pumps with heels so tall I could hardly walk, we walked out to the parking garage.
I couldn’t suppress my squeal when I saw the car.
“A Bugatti Veyron!” I shouted. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“You know your cars, Scarlet?”
“I know a Bugatti Veyron when I see one, that’s for sure,” I said, quickly trying to hide my shock. Luke was the most famous MMA fighter in the country, of course he’d buy a car like this.
“I just bought her,” he said, lifting his chin proudly. I cringed at his sentence, the words hitting a little too close to home.
“She’s beautiful,” I said, running my hand along her sleek all-white curves.
“Well, get in,” he said, pushing a button. The doors opened smoothly and I sank into the black and white leather seats. I raked my eyes over the dashboard, watching in awe as Luke started it up with a loud, powerful whir of the motor.
Hanging from the rearview mirror was a gold chain with a pendant hanging from it. I reached up and inspected it.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“St. Michael, patron saint of warriors. He’s my good luck charm.”
“Does a man like you need luck?”
“Not really,” he laughed, shaking his head. He pulled the car out of the garage and within seconds we were flying down the streets.
“Where are we going?” I asked. Rarely did we leave my apartment. I hated the fact that I was happy to be dressed up and going out, but I did, even if it was with him. This car made it a little easier to digest.
Luke was in a rare good mood, too.
If this wasn’t all so twisted, it might appear as if we were just a normal couple out on a normal date. I longed to experience normalcy, but I’d mostly given up on it a long time ago. Ruby kept me under her thumb and somehow she knew each time I left home without telling her. I’d even tried to run away twice, but both times, she’d found me, had her goons beat me up and locked me back in my apartment within hours.
These days, I didn’t dare leave.
These rare dates with Luke and weekly trips to the grocery store were the only time I stepped out at all anymore. It was easier that way.
“Do you like sushi?” he asked.
“I’ve never had it.”
“No? Well, let’s fix that.”
He drove into downtown, his two and a half million dollar car slinking past the endless homeless camps that lined the sidewalks of steel and glass skyscrapers. My mood fell immediately as I gazed out the window, my heart breaking for each of the clearly physically and mentally ill people we passed. Suddenly, I wasn’t hungry anymore, but I didn’t dare tell Luke that.
I’d have gone anywhere with him, I was that desperate to get out of the house, but witnessing all of the misery on the streets was giving me such a mind-fuck, and I found myself thankful for what I had, which was even more of a twisted thought.
I had nothing. I owned nothing, outside of that one stupid plastic glass slipper keychain my mother had bought me at Disneyland. I’d kept it, unable to throw it away, even if it was basically rage-inducing at this point. It was the only thing I had to tell me I was a real person, that I had a life before being auctioned off to the highest bidder as a slave, basically.
And here I was thanking my lucky stars I had a roof over my head, at least.
Maybe these people were happier than me, I thought. They had freedom, in a sense, something I never had.
I couldn’t help but wonder what that felt like…
A few minutes later, Luke pulled up to the valet in front of the Nines Hotel, near Pioneer Square.
“We’re going to Departure?” I asked, my eyes wide.
Departure is the trendy restaurant on top of the hotel and I’d seen pictures of it online, never expecting I’d ever have the opportunity to eat there.
“Have you been?”
I burst out laughing.
“No, of course not,” I said, shaking my head.
“Great. You’ll love it,” he said, as he slipped out of the car. He ran over and opened my door, reaching for my hand a
nd helping me out of the car. The valet reached for the keys and Luke shook his head.
“No fucking way, mate,” he said. “Leave her right there.”
“Yes, sir,” he nodded, backing away after Luke slipped him a hundred dollar bill. He grabbed my hand and we headed inside.
The elevator was mirrored and we stood next to each other, staring at our reflection.We both had red hair and while he was dressed much more casually than I was, it didn’t matter. Wealth oozed off of him and as soon as the elevators opened, and we were greeted by the hostess, it was obvious that his demeanor, not to mention his fame, demanded respect.
“Welcome to Departure,” the hostess said. “We have your table waiting, Mr. Sullivan.”
He’d not even told her his name, but with an unforgettable face and an undefeated record as the world’s most famous MMA fighter, I guess that wasn’t necessary. They sat us at a table by the window and I did my best not to gawk.
The tall vaulted ceiling was mostly windows. Lining the entire south side of the restaurant, floor to ceiling glass doors opened up to two huge balconies, with low-slung seats gathered around various fire pits outside. All of the customers, inside and out, looked as if they’d just stepped out of a fashion magazine and when my eyes turned to the staff, I wondered if they’d been recruited from model agencies.
Everyone was perfect.
Perfectly groomed, perfectly dressed, with perfect smiles and perfect bodies.
I marveled at their flawless appearances, wondering what was really going on inside each of them. Did they think I was one of them?
I was just as perfectly groomed, perfectly dressed, Ruby made sure I only bought the best clothes and insisted I kept every inch of my body well-maintained. When you had money, it was easy.
The one thing I didn’t share was the careless smiles dancing across their faces. I sat stone-faced, taking it all in. I may look the part, but rarely did I encounter a chance to walk the walk.
This place was way out of my league.
I sat with my hands in my lap, taking cues from Luke. I’d always imagined him as having unshakable confidence, because I’d never seen a crack in his armor.
BONES: GODS OF CHAOS MC Page 12
