Sweet Retribution, page 8
The idea of killing him crosses my mind. As it has several times since Christmas Day. Hell, if I’m honest, those thoughts started long ago. When I first noticed how he looked at her.
I’ve wanted to murder Charlie Barron pretty much since the moment I returned to Rydeville.
“I love you.” She stretches up, pressing her lips to mine, and I sweep my tongue into her mouth, savoring the taste of her. “And I promise I won’t have sex with him. Like I said, the fact he cheated on me the night of our wedding is a good thing. It gives me ammunition to keep him at arm’s length, and it’s believable.”
When she told me that, I couldn’t believe it. What kind of fucking idiot is he? Or was he so wound up he needed the release and didn’t want to take it out on her like he’s claimed? I wish I knew the truth. But all I know is he’s one fucked-up asshole, and I hate my wife has to pretend to be in love with him.
But this isn’t about me, I remind myself, shoving those thoughts aside.
“I love you so much.” I pull her head into my chest and squeeze my eyes shut as I cradle her against me. It’s killing me to let her go.
She eases out of my arms this time, looking forlorn. “I should go.” She’s as hesitant as me to part.
“If anything changes, or your life is in danger, I’m your first call. You promised,” I remind her.
She bobs her head. “I know, and if it’s something I can’t handle, you’re the first person I want to call.”
I kiss the tip of her nose. “Later, firecracker.” We have a rule about not saying goodbye.
“Later, caveman.”
I’m bereft the instant she steps away from me, and the churning storm in the pit of my stomach is the same one that’s always there every time we are forced to separate.
One day, no one will be driving us apart.
I watch her hugging Drew and Rick but cast my gaze aside as she walks toward the door, already knowing she won’t look back.
The door softly closes, and I drop onto my bed, exhaling heavily.
“It sucks, man,” Drew acknowledges, sitting down beside me. “But at least you still get to see her. I don’t even have that luxury.”
I clamp my hand down on his shoulder. “When this shit is done, we’ll get your girl back.”
He shrugs. “It’ll be too late by then.”
I frown. “It’s not like you to give up.” The Drew I remember from my youth was like a dog with a bone once he got his teeth into something.
He sighs, scrubbing a hand along his jaw, looking world weary.
“What’s up?” I harrumph. “Besides the obvious.”
“I haven’t told Abby yet, but Dad’s found a new fiancée for me.”
“What. The. Fuck?” Rick explodes, almost falling off the couch.
“We wants us both happily married and settled before the vote.”
“He can’t force you,” Rick naively says.
“I had to agree,” Drew says with a loud sigh. “It was that or endure another punishing beating because he’s pissed at me again for defending Abby on Christmas Day.”
Blood boils in my veins, and a red layer coats my eyes. When he told me Charlie had bugged Abby’s purse and he’d seen everything that went down between us that weekend in my house, I wanted to shoot the bastard. Then he explained how Hearst had shown it to the room, on a large screen projector, and how everyone was witness to the first time Abby and I had anal, and I went fucking nuclear. Only the fact I was drugged up and in a shitload of pain stopped me from charging off and riddling Hearst and Barron full of bullets.
That and the fact I don’t want to make my wife a widow so soon after our wedding, because there’s no denying it would be a bloodbath with few survivors.
But I’m wracking my brains now for some way I can protect her. I know she’s tough as nails, smart, and reactive. I know she can take care of herself. But she needs to realize that’s my job now too. And I’m not going to let her do this without additional protection.
I just haven’t worked out what or how I can make this happen.
Getting back on my feet is priority number one. Then finding a way to protect my wife will take precedence.
“I’m sorry, man.” Drew took one for the team, and now, it’s come back to bite him.
“You don’t have to apologize. I was trying to help my sister and I’d do it all over again. It doesn’t matter anyway. He’d have found some way of foisting it on me anyway.”
“Who is she?” Rick asks.
Drew shrugs. “Who cares?” His Adam’s apple bobs in his throat. “The only woman I want to marry is Jane, and she’s gone.”
Gloomy tension hangs in the air, and I’m grateful when Lauder bursts through the door without knocking.
“Abby’s gone,” he confirms. “Xavier has gone after her to ensure she gets back okay.”
I nod, slowly warming up to the quirky tech nerd.
“What’s going on?” Hunt asks, leveling us with his sharp, observant eyes.
“Hearst is forcing Drew into marriage too,” Rick supplies, as two sets of eyes flit to Manning.
“Is she hot?” Lauder asks, and I roll my eyes.
“Have you been smoking again?” He promised he was going to lay off that shit. Because we need everyone with full working brain cells.
“No.” He frowns.
“Then engage your brain, fuckwad.” I jerk my head in Drew’s direction. Lauder isn’t known for his tact, but he could cut the poor guy a break.
Funnily enough, the strain that’s been evident between Lauder and me since Abby appeared on the scene is gone now. Allowing him into our bedroom confirmed what I’ve known all along.
Abby is mine.
For now and always.
Deep down, I know Lauder knew that, but he needed something visual to confirm it.
It’s weird that that broke the ice.
But it did.
I still can’t fucking believe it went down.
I mean, we’ve done shit with chicks together in the past.
But Abby is different.
She has always been the exception to every rule. And I’m not sharing her with anyone. Ever.
My dick stirs in my pants, reminding me it’s been six days since I was buried balls deep in my woman. At least I know that part of my anatomy is still in full working order.
“Manning knows I’m joking.”
Drew slants him a deadly look that confirms he knows nothing of the sort.
Hunt and Lauder are still suspicious of him, and I know it’s in part tied up with the renewal of our friendship. They still don’t trust him one hundred percent and until he has completely proven himself to them, they will continue to hold back.
Can’t fault them for that.
“Was anything else agreed with Abby before she left?” Hunt asks. He can always be counted on to refocus any conversation.
“No. We pretty much already agreed to the plan,” I say. “You and Xavier will continue to dig into Hearst’s background and work on hacking into the basement security system. Drew will get Abby those names, and she’ll get her crew to start digging for dirt on the board members and the few elite members we target. Drew will set up meetings with the board members so him and Abby can get them on our side. And Abby will work on being the perfect wife, while manipulating Charlie into getting him to bring her to the dungeon.”
Lauder arches a brow, and I shake my head. I’m not getting into another discussion about it because I’m liable to hit one of my friends if all this pent-up anger doesn’t find an outlet soon.
“I’ll repair my relationship with Charlie too. Pull the brother-in-law card.” Drew’s eyes flit to mine, as if it’s only just occurred to him that that’s what we are to one another now. “I need to stay close to him and that asshole Montgomery.”
“Good call.” If I can’t protect Abby in person, I’m comforted knowing Drew can. An idea pops into my head. I can put a guy on Charlie. Someone to shadow him discreetly so I can see what he’s up to. And who knows? Maybe we’ll find some dirt we can use against him. While I’m at it, I’ll put someone on Abby too. They won’t be able to guard her too often because they won’t be able to shadow her in school or at Charlie’s house, but I like the idea of someone being close by in case I need backup, and he can tail her whenever she leaves the house.
I make a mental note to chat to Lauder about it in a while. His father has an expert team at his disposal. He got himself in deep with the wrong crew a few years back, and he’s had to watch his back ever since. The Lauders are well versed with taking protective details with them whenever they step out into the public domain. Lauder’s old man wanted to sic someone on him when we moved here, but it was too risky in case it gave the game away. I know Lauder has enjoyed not feeling someone breathing down his neck or watching him twenty-four-seven. Even though it would’ve come in handy when we were attacked at the airport.
“What about me?” Jackson asks. “I want to be involved.”
“You’ll act as back up to all of us, slotting in wherever you’re needed.” I’ll ask him to keep tabs on Abby in school, because I can’t risk being seen looking at her or engaging with her even if Abby threatens the other students into silence.
“In other words, you’ll be our bitch,” Rick jokes. Lauder flips him the bird, but he takes it in his stride.
“Rick and I will work on the plans for Atticus,” I confirm. I refuse to call him Father. He lost that right when he murdered our mother, brainwashed me into believing Abby was the devil’s spawn, and gave up our two youngest brothers for adoption.
Hunt shifts, his eyes narrowing. Dude never misses a thing. “What don’t we know?”
“Atticus killed our mom,” I say, forcing the words out of my mouth. “It wasn’t Hearst; although, he set the whole thing in motion.”
“What the fuck, bro?” Jackson’s jaw slackens.
“What are your plans for him?” Drew asks, his gaze dancing between Rick and me.
“We haven’t worked that out yet. We’re still processing.” Both our initial instincts were to end him, as soon as possible, but neither of us will do anything to jeopardize the main plan.
“Good.” Drew straightens up, adopting a grave expression. “I know what you’d like to do, but you need to hold back. Your father is a necessary cog in the wheel. We need him to continue to exert pressure on my father. He’s stressed with the upcoming vote, so let’s give him something else to worry about. We need him distracted enough not to pay attention to us so we can get to his board and get into the vault. If he’s preoccupied with other shit, we should pull it off.”
“You want us to play Atticus,” I surmise, and he nods.
“In what way?” Rick asks.
“You need to manipulate him. He thinks he’s square now with Hearst because he’s given him back everything he stole. You two need to convince him it’s not enough. There should be compensation. He should suffer for all the years you’ve suffered.” He smooths a hand over the top of his head. “Make it clear that Atticus has not gone away as a threat, so Father is looking over the other shoulder. I’m sure you get the gist.”
“We know what we need to do.” Rick and I exchange a knowing look. I’ll enjoy screwing over my father. He’ll think we’re completely on his side. When we’ll be setting him up for a fall.
And when the day of the vote arrives, he’ll see what happens when you cross family.
He will regret killing our mother.
And if he thinks he lost everything before, he’ll realize it’s fucking nothing compared to what we are going to take from him now.
Because he will have nothing and no one once we are through with him.
And D-day can’t come fast enough.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Abby
I tiptoe into my bedroom, holding my breath, almost collapsing with relief when the sweet, soft rumbling sounds of snoring tickle my eardrums. Charlie is still passed out on top of my bed, oblivious to the fact I’ve been gone for hours.
I sneak into the bathroom, shed my clothes, and grab a quick shower, trying to pretend like my heart doesn’t feel like it’s been cut up with a machete.
I love spending time with Kai, and I was relieved to see he was okay, but it was painful too. Because every time we part, it gets harder and harder.
The truth is, Kai makes me weak.
Because I can’t shield my emotions around him. He knows me too well. Plus, I want to give in to them when I’m with him. I want him to cradle me in his strong arms, whisper reassurances in my ear, and let him carry some of the burden. But that is a luxury I can’t afford to indulge, and it’s the sweetest form of torment.
The other truth is, being with Kai makes me stronger. When I’m with him, I feel invincible. Like I can achieve anything with his hand in mine. With his infallible belief in my abilities.
And then he’s ripped away from me, and doubts creep in again, when I can’t allow them to. One false move is all it will take to bring everything tumbling down around me. And then we’re all up shit creek.
So, in a way, it’s best we’re apart. Even if it feels like I’ve lost half of myself.
Until we win this battle, I need to act like I’m a lone island.
It’s the only way I can harden my heart to do the things I need to do.
Doesn’t mean I won’t miss my husband like crazy, because I will. School doesn’t start back for a week, and it will be at least that long until I see him again.
Turning off the shower, I get out, dry myself with a large, fluffy white towel, and slip into my sleep shorts and top. Then I brush my teeth, clean my face, and comb my hair back into a ponytail, staring blankly at my reflection in the mirror as I prepare to face my first test.
I tap out a quick text to Kai on my burner cell, confirming I got home safe, telling him I love him. I switch it off before he can reply and conceal it in the hidden bottom panel of my bag. Then, I ease out of the bathroom like a sneaky thief in the night.
Charlie hasn’t budged in the last few minutes, and he’s sprawled across the bed, taking up most of the space. I lift his arm, very carefully, hoping not to wake him, placing it across his stomach. Then I peel back the covers and climb in.
He’s on the top of the bed, and no part of his body is in contact with me, but it still feels like such a betrayal to be lying in bed with another man. My chest heaves as I glance sideways at him.
He looks like a fallen angel in sleep. His jet-black hair has flattened out, falling across his forehead, brushing the tops of his strong brows. His full lips are slightly parted, and his chest rises and falls as he languishes in slumber. I watch him for a few minutes, still trying to figure out how we got here.
How someone I once considered one of my closest friends could seemingly switch personalities overnight.
Or has he always been like this?
Have those dark glimpses I’ve caught on occasion been the truth, and he’s become adept at disguising his true self?
One thing is for sure—I’m about to find out.
For a brief instant, when I wake the next morning, I believe I’m protected in Kai’s arms. Until reality comes crashing down upon me.
At some point during the night, Charlie must have undressed and climbed in underneath the covers with me, because his bare leg is sandwiched between mine, and his large hands are resting on the exposed skin of my tummy. My top must have ridden up in sleep. Acid snakes up my throat, and a sob rips from my mouth as I stare, horror-struck at the place where his hand is.
Memories of waking up with Kai’s hand in a similar place return to haunt me, and it’s no act when I wrench Charlie’s hand away and scramble out of the bed, hitting the side of my head off the bedside table in the process. I cry out as stinging pain zips along my skull.
Charlie bolts upright, his wild eyes instantly alert as they latch onto mine. “Shit. What happened?” He crawls across the bed toward me.
I lift my hand up to halt his forward trajectory. “Don’t fucking come near me.” I wince as I dab at the sore spot on the side of my head, silently cussing when my fingertips come away red. Great, I’ve broken skin, and I doubt it’ll be that easy to disguise in such a prominent place. If Drew or Kai see it, they will go fucking apeshit.
“Did I do something wrong?” he asks, his brow puckering.
“Who said you could strip to your boxers and get into bed beside me?”
And who said you could put your hand there.
You motherfucking asshole doucheface fucktard bastard.
“Abby.” He swings his legs over the side of the bed, and I purposely avoid staring at his carved abs and broad chest until I remember it’s what someone in my shoes would do—sneak peeks at the prick even though I’m still furious with him for screwing someone else. I’m coy about it, glancing quickly at his hot body before averting my eyes. But not before I see a glint of pleasure light up his eyes. “Darling.” He sinks to his knees beside me.
“Don’t call me that. Save it for your bit on the side,” I hiss.
“You know there’s no one but you. That was an error in judgment, and I already promised it won’t happen again.”
“As if your word means anything.” I glare at him before deliberately softening my look and sighing. “Look, Charlie.” Forcing back bile, I gently cup his face. “I’m trying, but you can’t expect me to be happy about you sneaking into bed with me. You fucked someone else the night of our wedding. That’s not something I can forget overnight. Or even in a week or a month. You have a lot to do to prove to me it was a onetime thing. To prove I mean what you profess I mean to you.”
“Abby.” He leans into my hand, rubbing his face against my palm, and he reminds me of a newborn puppy, nuzzling into his owner, desperately craving attention. If Charlie hadn’t been brought up in a loving environment, with two parents who worshiped each other, and him, I’d say he was starved for affection.
But that simply isn’t true.
“I mean every word of it. I love you, and I will prove it to you. Just give me a chance. Please.”
