AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“If only she’d gone into politics,” I sigh forlornly and smirk. “I’m sure I’ll think of something in the coming days. Heather will try to run once she’s not so skittish. That’ll be my chance.”
“Boss,” I look over at the driver as he twists, holding up his phone. “We got an issue at Neon Green. The manager there just texted me.”
“Tell him we’ll be there in a few days anyway and to wait until then,” I reply, arching a brow quizzically. “If he texted you, it’s not terribly important, is it?”
“He said one of the bartenders is skimming.” The driver confirms, and I nod, gesturing to him with a wave of my hand.
“Tell him to compile evidence discreetly. I’ll take a look at it when I’m there Saturday before opening. You usually handle the discipline of employees, right?” I ask. He grunts in agreement, shooting a text out before tossing his phone into the cup holder. “So, what’s your take on it?”
“If Hustler’s telling me about it, that means he’s sure it’s intentional stealing. He wouldn’t involve me otherwise,” He says, the wisdom of experience in his voice. “Neon Green is the second busiest club you’ve got, Boss. What are you gonna do?”
“That’s fine. Let him figure out the particulars by Saturday. I’ll trust his judgment if you do. It gives me something else to think about, at least, than letting myself be consumed by whatever Franny has got going on.” I snort a laugh, nodding to myself. That’s right. Fran Shaw will have to be taken care of, and I have just the woman in mind to do it.
CHAPTERNINE
Heather
I shuffle into my brownstone and shut the door behind me, only to pause as a familiar prickle creeps up my neck. Looking around, I tightly clutch my grocery bags to my chest. There is no noise, and there is no man in the living room waiting for me. I turn to squint at the new locks I'd installed, looking over my shoulder.
“God, the anxiety is making me paranoid,” I grumble to myself and lock the deadbolt firmly. Jack hadn’t contacted me in days since sending me that text; is he watching me? Did he install cameras in my house or something while waiting for me? I look around, grimacing as I make my way toward the stairs. “If he did, it wouldn’t be obvious. Stupid me.”
When I get to the kitchen, I dump my armful on the counter and begin picking through the bags absentmindedly. My thoughts return to Jack, and I can't help but wonder why he wanted me to visit his mansion. Was it a test? In that case, I probably failed. I mutter softly under my breath as I shove a half-gallon of milk into the fridge.
The air ripples around me, and I twist as fear worms its way into my gut. My stomach clenches as I scan the empty kitchen, still the same as when I left for work this morning. My arms and chest are covered in goosebumps, and the grip on me tightens as phantom hands wrap around me.
I rub my shoulders and close my eyes, unwanted memories of Jack's embrace flashing through my mind. He's dangerous, but oh, so smooth and attractive. I inhale deeply through flared nostrils and hold my breath as heat spreads through my abdomen.
“Ican’tbe that damned desperate,” I whisper hoarsely to myself, shaking my head. I put the rest of my groceries away hurriedly, flames licking my cheeks. “He threatened to kill me.”
However, the thought only fuels the flames coursing through me. I grab my purse and proceed to my room. As I approach the living room, I notice the front door is unlocked, and the blood drains from my face. Looking around, I quickly pull out my phone.
“Hello!” I call, my voice cracking. “Who’s in my house!”
“It’s just me, Heather,” Liam calls from the top of the stairs, and my apprehension morphs into irritation. Sluggishly plodding down the steps, he frowns at me before I turn to lock the door. “You get anything to eat?”
“Liam,” I say, turning to him as he drops onto the living room sofa. “You need to lock the doors! We just had a break-in a week ago!”
“The locks didn’t stop them then,” He remarks casually, and I roll my eyes.Yeah, because your dumbass let them in!Pursing my lips, I fight a grimace when he looks at me expectantly. “So? Did you get food?”
“Not for you, and if you eat it, I’ll be pissed,” I warn him, but Liam clearly doesn’t take me seriously. Carrie's words reverberate in my head as I make my way upstairs to my bedroom. Liam is a slacker, a freeloader who refuses to leave on his own. Not when taking advantage of me is so much easier. Maybe I should accept her offer to come up here and help me. I quickly shake my head as I enter my room and lock the door. “I can’t do that and risk her finding out about Jack.”
I walk over to my dresser and take out the box hidden under my underwear. I sit on my bed to grab my phone, and the soft silicon is smooth under my fingertips. My vibrator feels familiar in my palm, but now that I'm single, I don't have to feel embarrassed about using it. As I unlock my phone, I grimace down at it.
I received an email notification and set down my vibrator to open it. The email address alone is suspicious, but the body is blank. There isn't even a file attached.
“Scam spam?” I question before deleting the email. Opening my anti-virus app, I run a scan and throw myself back onto my bed. Staring at the ceiling, my mind turns back to Jack. My blood sings at his very idea, and I blush fiercely. He’s so unlike Mike; I know it’s wrong, but the unease flooding my veins at his thought is thrilling.
Jack stared straight into my eyes and told me with no uncertainty what he wanted. He was confident and willing to do whatever was needed to achieve his goal. The power he wielded was evident in his home and the way he carried himself.
My phone pings to break my taboo thoughts, and I sit up. Surprise raises my brows.
Carrie:do you wanna come down to New York City this weekend?
My thumbs hover over the screen as I gnaw on my lower lip at the proposition. But before I can finish my thought, a notification appears on my phone. It's Jack, and my heart is racing as I open the text.
Answer me:Come to my place Saturday night.
It's not a question, and heat engulfs my face. He thinks he can just demand things from me likeI'm a puppet to be manipulated?Returning to Carrie's text, I send her an affirmation and sigh heavily.
