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“I do, but—”
“Then enough with the talking.”
I throw her over my shoulder and start heading up the stairs. I take her all the way to my bedroom, which has a ten-foot wide fireplace and expansive windows looking out onto the Sierra Nevada.
“You had me sleeping in the basement while this was your room?” Casey exclaims.
I set her down in the bathroom. “You can take a bath or shower. Your choice.”
She practically drools as she looks at the giant bathtub set in an alcove with floor-to-ceiling windows. I throw her a towel, then step out, closing the door behind me. I could use a shower, too, and a shave. But if I stick around, she’s going to throw a bunch of questions at me. I can see the wheels in her mind turning. I head to my closet.
“It’s me,” Andy says through the door after knocking.
“Come in,” I respond as I pick out a button-up shirt, black pants and matching jacket.
Entering, Andy closes the door behind him. He sets down a tray with tea on the dresser. “Andrian’s pissed as hell you broke his phone. Kept asking me what was wrong with you, if maybe you were on drugs or something.”
TheJing Sandeals plenty in drugs, but I’ve never touched the stuff.
“What’d you tell him?”
“‘Or something.’”
Andy eyes me carefully as I dress. I know what he’s assessing me for.
He glances toward the bathroom. “She in there?”
“Taking a bath. She’s going to need some clothes.”
“For what?”
She would look more pathetic in her torn schoolgirl-slut outfit, and I do want to inflict pain on Callaghan. But Casey’s been through enough. I say to Andy, “We’re not handing her back to her father butt naked. You’re the smallest among us. You have anything she can wear?”
“I’ll check.”
“Then get ready for the call with Callaghan.”
“What about her?”
“Bring up some breakfast. She can stay in my room. Put Tao or someone at the door so she doesn’t go wandering.”
Andy nods and heads out. I stand there listening to the water running into the bathtub. It would have been nice to join her in the bath, but I’ve got to stop thinking like that. She can tell something is off, and it’s time her fantasy bubble got popped. If all goes according to plan, she’ll be back with her father in less than twelve hours.
Only she won’t have a father for long. And she might end up collateral damage herself.
Chapter twenty-five
Casey
AsIsitinthe tub and stare out the window at clear blue skies—a gorgeous day to hit the mountains—I think back to when I first saw Jack. He felt mysterious and a touch dangerous. Most women can only fantasize about being with a man like that. I made it happen.
But now that he feels a tad less mysterious and more dangerous, I wonder if maybe I made a mistake. I’m grateful he stopped his friend from taking pics of me. I was surprised he broke Andrian’s cellphone and didn’t seem the least bit remorseful. It’s not that I mind having pictures taken of me naked. I’ve sent several to past boyfriends. But I don’t like having them taken without my consent.
And what had Andrian said he was going to do with the pics? Send them to my dad? Why? He spoke with too much earnestness for me to think he was just goofing around. And it didn’t sound like some weird kink he had. It was like he wanted to make my dad miserable, like he knew my dad. But that would be a crazy coincidence, right?
After getting out of the tub, I wrap myself in a plush towel. I don’t feel like blow-drying my hair at the moment, so I step into the bedroom to see if Kai is there. He isn’t. Instead, I find a serving cart with what turns out to be breakfast accompanied by a note.
Help yourself to food and clothes on bed.
