Rough Edges

by Shannon K. Butcher

  The pain of Lila’s betrayal nearly drove the breath from Bella’s body. She still couldn’t wrap her mind around how blind she’d been. How foolish she’d been to trust someone she barely knew. It shouldn’t have mattered that Lila tugged at Bella’s heartstrings. She should have questioned her more carefully, screened her better—something to uncover the truth.

  “Stynger knew your history, Bella. She knew you’d be drawn to Lila’s story of abuse—that your shared past would connect you and make you sympathetic. Stynger threw Lila in front of you so she could get someone in the door here.”

  “It was all lies?”

  Victor shook his head. “Not all of it. Lila was running from a nasty ex. Stynger used that weakness to gain Lila’s trust and steal her baby away. I know she did bad things, but I can’t honestly say I would have done anything differently if it had been my son at stake. Can you?”

  Fury blazed through Bella’s system, helping her shed every last bit of remaining lethargy. “I would have killed Stynger.”

  “Can you really see that as an option open to Lila? She’s not as strong as you—either physically or mentally.”

  “Stop making excuses for her. I know she was up against a wall, but she could have come to me and told me the truth. I would have moved heaven and earth to find her baby and take him back.”

  “Lila has seen the kind of destruction you leave in your wake. It’s not fair of you to ask a distraught woman to put her child at risk like that.”

  “I never would have let anything happen to him.”

  Victor got right in her face, forcing her to look him in the eye. “You can’t make guarantees like that. You know as well as I do that bad shit happens. Even to babies. It doesn’t matter what Lila should have done at this point. All we should worry about is where we go from here.”

  “You say that like you already have a plan.”

  “We do.”

  “We?”

  “Payton and I have discussed our options. We need an edge, Bella, and you’re not going to like where we get it.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  He took her hands in his and held them tight. She wasn’t sure if it was for comfort, or if he was trying to keep her from striking out at him.

  “We need you to play dead,” he said. “Let Payton take over the operation. And the company.”

  “Not only no, but hell no. You can’t ask that of me.”

  “We have no choice. If Stynger is to believe you’re dead, it has to look real.”

  “I’m not going to sit on my hands while everyone else is out there working. Have you forgotten that one of my best friends is still a prisoner of that psychotic bitch?”

  “You have to let us handle it. We can consult with you in secret, keep you hidden, but nothing we do can have your signature on it.”

  “My plans are solid, Temple. They’ve gotten you out of more than one messy situation alive.”

  “I’m not questioning your ability to lead, Bella.”

  “Then what? Why do I have to play dead?”

  “Because it’s the only way you’re going to survive this mission. Stynger wants you out of her way, and if we’re spending precious resources watching your back, then we’re not using them to take her down.”

  Bella let her head fall back against the pillows. She’d never considered she might be slowing them down, making it harder to find Gage. But now that she saw it from Victor’s viewpoint, she could see just how much effort was going into keeping her sorry ass alive. All the manpower to keep her house safe. All of Leigh’s efforts to patch up Bella after she was injured.

  “You’re right,” she said. “There’s far too much manpower going into guarding my back. If I’m out of the way, you’ll be able to work faster.” She pulled in a long breath, hating what she was about to do next. “But I’ll chop off my own hands before I’ll give my share of the Edge to Payton.”

  “Now, Bella, you need to look at this—”

  She cut him off before he could piss her off more. “I will, however, give it to you. Draw up the papers if you want. I’ll sign them before I ‘die.’”

  Victor rocked back on his heels. “Are you sure? Payton’s a better choice.”

  “Payton is not an option. Anyone who knows me would see right through that. And when you have the papers drawn up, you’d better make sure they’re legit. Stynger probably has an army of lawyers working for her. She’ll spot a scam in five seconds flat.”

  “You realize that if something really does happen to you, the deal will be binding.”

  “I’m aware, Temple. Now go and get your fancy lawyers to work their magic before I change my mind.”

  He leaned down and kissed her forehead with such tender sweetness it made her eyes prickle with tears. “I know how hard this is for you. The only consolation I can give you is that it will all be over soon and you’ll be back behind the wheel, steering the ship.”

  She grabbed his shirt and held him close. “Just be sure you don’t crash it on the rocks, honey. I need her back in one piece.”

  “I swear on my life that I won’t betray you.”

  She almost laughed at the ridiculous nature of his vow. She apparently invited betrayal. Her father betrayed her. Her husband. Payton. Even sweet Lila. Trusting that Victor would be different was simply asking for pain. “I’m satisfied with you knowing my true nature. You’ve seen what I’m capable of. That should be motivation enough to be smart about how you behave. I still have that C4, you know.”

  He grinned. “Such a violent creature.”

  “Aww, sweetie. You say the nicest things. Now go and take Stynger down like a good boy.”

  He winked at her and hurried out the door to take away the thing she’d worked for her whole adult life. All her blood, sweat and tears were in this company, and she was about to sign it over to a man who might betray her as easily as Lila did.

  At least with Lila, Bella only got her feelings hurt. With Victor the stakes were much, much higher. The man had the power to break her heart in a way she wasn’t sure she’d survive. She’d promised herself she’d never again give a man that kind of power over her, but as she listened to Victor’s heavy steps echo down the hall, she knew that was one promise completely shattered.

  She’d gone and fallen for the man, and there wasn’t a damn thing she could do to catch herself.

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Norma Stynger watched her daughter snuggle up against Gage Dallas. It was strange that she’d created such a close bond with the man in the little time they’d had together.

  As Norma made notes in her journal about the odd observation, she wondered if there was some instinct that drove Jordyn to bond with the man whose offspring she was carrying. It was an interesting question—one that bore further research.

  Next time Norma bred her daughter, perhaps she’d pick a different man to lend his DNA, just to see if the effect moved from one man to the next. Of course there was only one more man alive that Norma knew had the right genetics to be worth nine months of waiting: Gage’s brother Adam.

  Once Bella was out of the way and the Edge crumbled, perhaps Adam would reconsider his employment with Norma. She’d be safely out of the country by then and able to spend less time and money on evading notice and more on actual research. A man as skilled as Adam could come in handy.

  “Do you want me to separate them?” asked the guard on duty.

  “No, my daughter needs to rest before we relocate. I don’t want her falling ill.”

  The guard looked at Norma like he didn’t recognize her. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Don’t let him leave this room,” she ordered.

  “No, ma’am.”

  “And when Jordyn wakes, let me know. We still have to discuss her punishment.”

  The beefy guard paled and swallowed hard.
“Yes, ma’am. Would you like me to escort her to the White Room?”

  “That won’t be necessary. I have something else in mind.” Something far worse than the physical pain of the White Room—a punishment her tenderhearted daughter would never forget.

  * * *

  Payton had lied to a lot of people over the years, but this lie was going to be hard. There was no telling how many people Stynger had working for her. Or where. Lila was proof of that. The fact that Payton hadn’t seen through the lies and known what she was proved he was rusty, because a sobbing mess like Lila simply wasn’t that skilled.

  She was, however, highly motivated.

  Norwood picked up the phone after about ten rings. “Norwood here.”

  “Bella is dead,” Payton said, letting his voice catch with emotion.

  Silence echoed on the other end of the line for a long minute. “Confirm that. Bella Bayne is dead?”

  “Yes.”

  “When? How?”

  “A few minutes ago. She was poisoned. We tried to save her, but . . .” He trailed off, remembering how she’d looked in that bed, pale and lifeless. It wasn’t much of a stretch for him to get choked up.

  “I’m sorry, Payton. I know she was like a daughter to you.”

  Payton cleared his throat. “We’re postponing the funeral for a few days so her employees have time to complete their jobs and come back to the States.”

  “I’ll be there,” promised Norwood.

  “No. It’s too dangerous. Stynger could use it as an opportunity to reach you. We can’t forget that both of us are high-risk targets right now.”

  “I don’t care. I’ll still be there. But I’ll be careful. Tell me you will, too.”

  “I will. But there’s so much to do. No one knows yet.”

  “Are you keeping it under wraps?”

  “You can tell your staff, but let’s not spread the news too far until I have time to let our people here all know. I want them to hear it from me.” Which, while true, was not what would happen. Word would spread fast. Payton was counting on it.

  “Understood.”

  Payton didn’t have to lie about this next part. “I don’t know what to do now. We still can’t find Stynger. Gage is still missing.”

  “Do you have any leads?”

  “Bella was working on something when this all happened. I’m going to sort through her work and see if it sparks anything.”

  “What about the person who poisoned her?”

  Payton hesitated. He really didn’t want anyone to know that they were still holding Lila in a locked room at the Edge. Once she was toted away to the secure facility, then it would be safe to mention her name. Until then, it was better to keep that part to himself. “We’re working on it.”

  “Let me know if I can help, okay?”

  “This doesn’t change anything with Temple’s assignment, does it?”

  “It will, but I can hold off on that for now. With Bella gone, there’s no one there leading the charge except you. And unfortunately, the higher-ups here don’t trust you.”

  Payton grunted in mock amusement. “I can’t say I blame them.”

  “My suggestion is to do what you can as fast as you can. I know it’s hard to carry on with a man down, but you’ve got to try. We’re both running out of time and options, old friend.”

  “What have you heard?”

  “Nothing directly. But we both know how it works around here. Results speak loudly, and right now, you guys are barely a whisper. That needs to change. Fast.”

  They were going to lose their funding and support. That’s what Norwood was trying to warn him about without saying it directly. “How fast?”

  “Red tape is thick, but someone’s got a machete.”

  “Stynger’s influence?”

  “Suggesting something like that could get a man like me in hot water up to my neck.”

  That wasn’t a no. “I see. I’ll stop trying to scald you, then.”

  “Let me know about the funeral arrangements as soon as they’re made. I will be there.”

  “Will do. Until then, watch out for yourself. You don’t want to be the next victim of poison.”

  “Neither do you. Seems like a good time to go on a diet to me.”

  “I was just thinking I needed to lose a few pounds myself. Talk soon.”

  Norwood hung up, leaving Payton feeling queasy. He hated lying to his oldest friend, but he knew there was no other choice. Bella’s life depended on them selling this lie, so Payton would use every ounce of experience he had to make sure everyone he knew believed it. Even if they never forgave him.

  After everything he’d done to Bella, it was the least he owed her.

  Chapter Thirty-six

  Bella waited until she was sure Victor and Payton were both occupied before she left her room. Leigh had said Lila was nearby, and there was something Bella needed to do before that changed.

  She pulled her IV stand along, not even caring that her ass was hanging out the back of her hospital gown.

  The small office across the hall—the one Leigh used when she was here—was serving as Lila’s holding cell. Clay stood outside, visibly armed.

  He held up his hand. “Payton said no one was allowed inside. He’s arranging for her to be moved to a secure facility.”

  “I don’t give a shit what Payton said. Move aside.”

  “I can’t let you hurt her.”

  “I have no intention of hurting her.”

  “Right now,” he finished. “Ten minutes from now you might feel very differently.”

  Bella got up close to Clay. “Please don’t make me get ugly. I’m too tired for ugly. All I want to do is talk to her.”

  He let out a heavy sigh. “You and I have been through hell together at least three times. I love you like a sister, but I know you. You’re not so good with talk. You prefer action.”

  “I’m sick. Weak. Hell, as far as the world is concerned, I’m already dead. There’s really not much I could do to her before you could stop me. Unless you’ve gotten soft since hooking up with Leigh.”

  He lifted a brow in amusement. “Does that kind of obvious baiting normally work for you on fully grown men?”

  “You’d be surprised how often, honey. Now step aside and let me have a chat with my secretary.”

  “I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?” he asked.

  “You’re going to regret trying to stop me more. I know you’ve got a great health plan, with your own personal doctor, but that doesn’t mean you should take chances.”

  Clay shook his head and stepped aside. “Go for it. But if I so much as hear you raise your voice at that woman, you’re out of there. You’re supposed to be playing dead, anyway.”

  “I’ll play dead when I’m done. Once Payton trucks her off, we’ll never hear from her again. I have a right to ask the woman why she tried to kill me.”

  Clay opened the door. Bella stepped inside and closed it behind herself, turning the lock.

  “That won’t stop me from coming through the glass,” promised Clay from the other side of the door.

  Bella ignored him and faced the woman she had thought was her friend.

  “I’m so sorry,” Lila said, breaking down into tears again. Her nose and eyes were already red and swollen from the sobfest she’d been having. There was a mostly empty box of tissues beside her and a trash can full of the refuse.

  Bella felt a moment of pity for the woman. Like Victor had said, what person wouldn’t do just about anything to protect their child? Bella could only imagine the havoc she’d wreak if someone tried to hurt her baby.

  “I’m not here for apologies. I don’t care why you did it. I need answers.”

  “What answers?”

  “I want you to tell me every encounter you had with anyo
ne associated to Stynger. Start with the latest one and work your way back.”

  Lila wiped her eyes and sniffed. “His name is Randolph.”

  “I know him. He used to work here. Did you meet him?”

  “Not this time. He called me. They gave me a special phone to use—one that couldn’t be used to trace back to them.”

  “So there was more than one person you took orders from?”

  “Yes. Whoever called, I did what they said.”

  “Stick with Randolph. When was the last time you saw him?”

  “In person?”

  “Yes.”

  “A few weeks ago. He wanted the key to your house. I knew you kept one in your desk. I made a copy for him.”

  The idea of that man roaming around her house was almost enough to set her off, but she held it together and focused on the task at hand. “Where did you meet?”

  “A grocery store.”

  “Which one.”

  “The one down the block. I was on my lunch break. We met at the salad bar. He was in line behind me. I set the key down. He picked it up. We never spoke.”

  “Did you see what kind of car he drives?”

  “A black truck.”

  Probably the same one he’d had when he worked at the Edge. “Have you ever seen Norma Stynger in person?”

  “No.”

  “Spoken to her on the phone?”

  “No.”

  “Do you know where they’re keeping Gage?”

  Her face crumpled and tears streamed off her chin. “No. But I know they have him at the same place they have my baby.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Because of something Randolph said.”

  “What?”

  “He was upset that they were stuck in one spot now, getting ready for some big move. He said there was barely room to keep my son and that if I didn’t cooperate, they’d get rid of him to save space.” She sucked in a huge breath of air to steady her voice. “This was right after Gage went missing. I kept thinking that if Gage saw him, my baby would be safe. Gage would protect him.”