She'd find it, but I wanted her to have mine first.
Finished, I left the door open and headed back to the front - before I pressed my face to the pillow in search of her scent. Better that I wasn't here when they got back. Not when I needed to leave. If I saw her, I wouldn't go.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out.
Liam: Leave the package. It's safe.
It didn't need a response, so I didn't send one. The next message flashing across my screen pulled a smile.
Freddie: Is she okay?
How long had he fought against asking, I didn't want to imagine. He had his own struggles. I gave him a thumbs up then turned off my phone and slipped out, securing the door behind me. The package was right there, and I ignored it. taking the stairs rather than the elevator.
The cops were still out there and at least one of the car's passengers was now in the back of a black and white.
I'd reach out to one of our contacts and get that report. I wanted to know who was watching Liam's and who left the package. I didn't think they were the same person.
No.
I had a feeling there were new players on the board.
Two blocks away, I put the call through to Kellan. He answered on the first ring. But I didn't wait for him to say anything before I told him, "We may have another problem."
What Happens Next
Emersyn
Every few months, I never knew exactly when, Uncle Bradley showed up to take me shopping. It was always amidst a flurry of business calls or meetings. He would pick me up in a limousine where we would have privacy in the back. Then he would take me to the most expensive boutiques in whatever town we were in. He preferred New York, where he could take me straight to a designer, but he always wanted to buy me a nice dress.
I had reams of clothing in the closet at his home, in the room they called mine. I tried not to chew the dried bit of skin on the corner of my nail. The last thing I needed to do was pull it until it cut all the way back and bled. Especially if I needed the distraction of the pain later. I’d been standing in the lobby when his limo pulled up to the hotel.
I’d known it was him, even before my phone buzzed to alert me. Eric was also in the lobby and he tossed me a smile as I passed him. I wanted to smile back, I really did. But he was still new and it was hard to smile about anything on days I had to spend with my uncle. He hadn’t stopped talking on the phone, even when I slid into the car.
Though I’d intended to sit opposite him, he’d caught my hand and tugged me to the seat right next to his. When he leaned forward, I gave him my cheek for the quick brush of his too warm lips, and then he went right back to his conversation about contracts and negotiations.
No, he wasn’t satisfied with their progress. The problems were supposed to be eliminated and the fact this was still ongoing meant he might need to bring in a new company. His silence in between these ominous threats were not friendly. Even though it was quite possible to hear the voice on the other end of the phone, I tuned it out.
Uncle Bradley did not approve of my involving myself in business. From a very young age, I’d learned to be seen and not heard at any type of meeting, whether it took place in a conference room, his office, the back of the car, or when he was in bed. He settled his hand on my knee as I stared out the window. I’d dressed appropriately, but at least it was just chilly enough that I could get away with tights under the skirt.
“Just handle it,” he said abruptly. “If you can’t, then you will be replaced.”
He hung up the call and glanced at me.
“Sorry, Princess, duty often calls.” He gave my leg a squeeze. “We may not have as much time on this visit. So I’ve called ahead to have them pick out four dresses for you to try on for me.”
I swallowed. “Four? You usually are only looking for one or two.”
“True, but the season will be busier coming up and three of your shows will be in cities where I have business to attend. I need my favorite companion to attend a number of functions with me. And did you think I’d forget your birthday? You’re fifteen now. Practically a grown woman.” My skin crawled as he ran his fingers up and down my thigh. “We saw too little of each other last year, and I wasn’t happy to hear about you drinking or passing out.”
“Nothing happened,” I assured him. “I made it back to my room and slept. It was fine. I know better than to drink like that again.” The hangover the next morning had half-killed me.
“Hmm,” was his only comment. We pulled up to one of the finer boutiques with a French name. It was one of his particular favorites because they always had exclusive, expensive clothes. “I’ve missed you the last year or so, Princess. Too much time apart.”
He caught my chin as the car stopped and turned my face to him.
“We’re correcting that this year. I don’t want you to forget me.” This time I had no choice but to hold still as he brushed his kiss to my lips. The rigid tension in my neck threatened a headache. If I didn’t relax soon, this would get worse.
“I promise,” I whispered, all too aware of how close he was. “I could never forget you.” No matter how hard I tried. “I had a brutal day at rehearsals and I’m sore, do you mind if we have a little drink before we go in?”
He tilted his head.
“Just one.” Licking my lips when he focused on them for a moment, I fought the sick surge in my stomach. “It’ll help.”
“Take us around the block,” he informed the driver, after pushing the button to begin sliding the privacy shield closed. “In fact, take us for a ride around the city and let them know we’ll be back in an hour.”
I closed my eyes when he continued to hold my chin and then let him turn my face so he could press a kiss to my ear. Shivers raced over my flesh as he prepared the drinks. Whiskey. He made mine neat, and filled his with half as much. I knocked it all back in one long swallow.
The heat hit my system like a thermal bomb, and it sent a wave out to all the knots in my muscles, loosening everything.
“One’s enough,” he asked, swirling his own drink as he watched me from beneath his lashes.
I licked my lips again. “May I have one after?”
“You may have anything you want, Princess,” he crooned, and I slid off the seat and onto the floor of the limo, turning to kneel in front of him. He’d already unzipped his pants. If he didn’t have much time, then maybe all I’d need to do was gargle tonight.
A lot.
The drive took far longer because he canceled his meetings. The dresses in my size had been sent back to the hotel. I never got to see them and Uncle Bradley insisted on seeing me to my room.
He didn’t leave until the next morning.
There wasn’t enough hot water on the planet.
But I made it to rehearsals by nine, and when Eric flirted with me, I tried to find a smile for him. When I couldn’t and he pulled me aside, I told him I wasn’t feeling well. The last thing I expected was for him to show up at my hotel room with ice cream later and a friendly smile.
He didn’t stay long, but when he left and brushed a kiss to my cheek, I didn’t shudder. When I saw him the next day, I smiled for real.