Where to Belong

by W.J. Smith

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Bank Shot, Left Pocket

  The following days proved to be the most difficult for Madison. She was under strict orders from Skyler to stay within the apartment. She was not allowed to answer the phone. If Chase was there, he was to answer the door instead of her. She was to stay out of sight and be completely unnoticed by all. Cabin fever took hold of her before the second day.

  Tireless housekeeping took the place of her daily runs. She started every day with a detailed cleaning of each room. Within the first several days, she began to wonder how it appeared so spotless in the first place. The two men left their dishes at random places throughout the apartment. Shoes and clothes were rarely found in the same place twice.

  She found out their secret by the end of the first week. They had a housekeeper who paid daily visits to the apartment. She worked for the complex and only cared for the rooms that elected the service. Skyler canceled their scheduled up-keeping, wary of the maid recognizing Madison. Chase didn't take well to his roommate stopping the service without consulting him first. That much was implicated in the handful of words she overheard from the hushed dispute between the two men.

  The on-line shopping was a little unnerving to Madison at first. She had never had a credit card before and was leery of using Skyler's to make purchases. She stuck to stores she was familiar with and places she had visited before. Still, each time she saw the card's number fill the boxes on the screen, she couldn't help but cringe. There were too many stories of shopping-gone-bad from people who had used trusted sites.

  It was mainly clothes she shopped for at first. She eventually expanded to other things such as shoes and make-up, girly stuff as Chase branded it when the boxes arrived.

  As the days stretched into weeks, she did the grocery shopping for the trio on-line. That way she had meals ready for the two bachelors when otherwise they would venture out for dinners to bring home. She began to feel like a stay at home mom or a live-in maid, but she didn't mind. It gave her something to do besides sit and watch the door for Skyler to come home, and she enjoyed it.

  Late one afternoon as she was tidying up Skyler's desk, Madison came across a picture that tugged at her heart. It was of Skyler and Morgan playing pool. The background was familiar to her, but she couldn't place it. It must have been an older picture before Morgan shaved his head. His tight, raven curls aged him so he had begun to shave his head not long after Madison moved in. The two looked happy in the photo. Morgan's wide smile reflected the sparkle in his eyes. Skyler wasn't smiling as much, but then again, he hardly ever did. He was content. It was in his posture.

  She sat in the leather chair at the desk and studied the picture. She hadn't taken any with her when she left Miami, so this was the first time in eight years she looked upon Morgan's face. Her memories of him matched the image in the photo. She could almost smell his cologne and hear his voice as she tried to place herself in the picture. She wondered if she was there, in the background somewhere, or if it was a night she stayed home. The two friends took their pool game too seriously for her taste. She had difficulty understanding the rules and following the points.

  As she took in more of the captured details, her eyes began to argue with her brain. The room looked familiar to her because she had been there. It was not in Miami. The memorabilia on the walls matched what she knew a bar in Chicago to have in North River. She knew Skyler had never been out of Miami as long as she had known him, so they couldn't possibly be in Chicago. Could they?

  The date printed in yellow text on the lower corner added to her confusion. It was three months old. It had to be wrong. Yes, Skyler confessed to being here four months now, but Morgan was dead. There had to have been some mistake. The picture lied.

  She turned it over to see if she could find an accurate date on the back. There was writing but not a date. It was Morgan's handwriting. "Bank shot, left pocket." What was that supposed to mean?

  Madison didn't know how long she stared at the photo, but it must have been for hours. She didn't notice the room gradually darkening as the sun sank into the horizon. She didn't notice Chase wandering about the front room as he jabbered with someone on his phone. What finally got her attention was Skyler standing in the doorway. He had said something to her.

  "I'm sorry," she reminded herself to blink, her eyes painfully dry. "What?" She forced her gaze away from the confusing picture.

  "Dinner," he repeated with a kind smile. "I was asking if you wanted me to go get something. I guess I was getting used to the home cooked meals."

  "I forgot dinner," she muttered to herself. Reality flooded back into her stagnate mind. "What time is it?"

  "Not yet seven." He chuckled at her slowness. "Don't worry about it. It's a pizza night anyway."

  "Skyler?" she called to him as he turned away. "Where is this?"

  He came to her side and looked down at the picture she held out for him. "Some bar, I think. Why?"

  "When?" She choked some on the question, hating herself for even asking. It had to have been an old photo. Her thumb covered the printed date. It was wrong.

  With a barely audible groan, he shuffled back and sat on the edge of the bed. He took the picture from her and clenched his teeth as he peered at it. His finger tapped the printed text on the corner. "The date is right," he said quietly.

  Her head shook involuntarily, "But ... Morgan ..."

  "He's alive."

  The words rang in her ears without registering in her head or heart. It would be a beautiful reality if he were alive. But she knew he wasn't. She saw the explosion. She heard the report of no survivors. If he were alive, why wouldn't he have searched her out? If he were here in Chicago, why hadn't he come to her? Wouldn't her heart know if her soulmate was so near?

  She looked to Skyler and let the storm of emotions show on her face and tell of her torture. He seemed to be right there with her. He was telling the truth. She finally found her voice. "Where is he?"

  "Don't do this, Madison," he shook his head at her, tossing the picture away as if it would undo the old wound that was about to rip open.

  "Don't do what? How could you keep this from me? Why would you do that?"

  "Listen to me," he steadied and leaned in to force her attention. "He's not what you think he is. He's a monster. You were better off without him."

  "You had no right ..."

  "I had every right," he broke in. "If you knew half the stuff I did, you'd understand." He didn't give her a chance to counter him. "What did he tell you about that last job?"

  "He said it would be the last one we needed to do." She bit her lip and wondered what that had to do with anything. "He said we wouldn't have to take any more jobs after that one."

  "That's because he set it up. He faked his death to get out from under his handlers. He hadn't paid what they demanded, and they were coming after him. It was all a part of his plan.

  "He was furious that you left and wanted to track you down and drag you back. I tried to leave after that. I only lasted six months. I got into some trouble that I couldn't get out of. He came without my asking and got me out. He told me I owed him for the debt, and that he now owned me. The guys that were after me at the time said they would break my legs for the trouble I caused them. Morgan paid them off and took me home. I didn't trust him, and I was right not to. He had his guys rough me up to teach me a lesson. I tried to fight them off, but three to one isn't the best of odds.

  "I tried a few more times after that to get out. I only found a good bruising each time. Morgan went on like we were best friends. He told everyone I was his partner. He took insane jobs and stuck me with them. I did all his dirty work and he got the pay. My debt has only increased according to him.

  "He offered me this job eight months ago. I turned it down. He sent for me six months ago and demanded my involvement. I only took charge of it when I found out you were with the
company we were going after. He knew who you were, and he never flinched. I was assigned to Bradley. Levi had you. I persuaded Morgan to let me take your detail. He made it clear that you were to be considered just another pawn in the game. He didn't care what happened to you.

  "The night we moved against Lake View, Morgan made one more adjustment to my team. I picked certain men to go in with me that I knew would follow my plan without question. No one was to be harmed. Morgan pulled a guy and put Levi in his place. I didn't want him going in because I knew he was uncontrollable and trigger happy.

  "After it was all said and done, I didn't report back until after I had you settled in here. Morgan was fuming by the time I got there. He wanted to see your body. I told him I dumped it in the river, and he took it like I had just wrapped up a present and handed it to him. He went back to planning our next move. He couldn't care less.

  "So yes, Madison, Morgan is alive. But not the Morgan you knew. He goes by Geoff now, and he's ruthless. If he knew you were still alive, he'd come kill you himself and probably me for the attempted deceit."

  His story was just that, a story. She refused to believe him. Morgan would never hurt a fly. He loved her, and he wouldn't do anything to put her in danger. He took care of her and Skyler. She couldn't understand why he would weave such a preposterous tale. She glared at him and seriously tried to find what had him so against Morgan.

  But his tone, his body language, and the look in his eyes were honest. He looked as if he physically hurt to tell her all this. It was sobering to hear the fear in his voice. He appeared scared and brave at the same time. Even so it was all too much. Her mind tried to shut it all out in desperation to avoid any more of the maddening topic.

  "Talk to me," Skyler's timid voice snuck through the nauseating silence. "Tell me what you're thinking. Please."

  She put her face in her hands and held her breath. There was nothing to say, nothing to think. What was the point? Nothing made sense. "I can't," she choked when his warm hand brushed her arm. "I think I need to lie down."

  There was no protest from Skyler as he held his place and watched her fumble around to the other side of the bed and lay on her belly. She buried her face in the mass of fluffy pillows and wished she were alone. Tears stung her eyes and threatened to overflow with each breath. The rhythm of her racing heart sounded in her ears and kept beat with the pounding of her head.

  Madison trusted the stillness around her and tried to wrap her head around the idea of misplaced grief. Her body ached as she tensed up with the determination not to cry. A few tears escaped, and she didn't know if it was out of heartache or anger. Maybe it was for the pain emitting from her chest or the idea that Morgan didn't truly care for her. She had mourned for him all these years and thought she was cried out. It might have been because it hurt less to think he was actually dead. She hated herself for that thought which added to the pain in her chest. She wanted to hate Skyler for telling her and for hiding it from her. But she knew he was the most innocent party involved.

  She held her breath at the sound of movement. She had assumed Skyler had left, but she was wrong. He scooted closer and put his hand on her, turning big, silent circles on her back. Calmed breaths returned to her. She shifted to look at him. He was leaning against the headboard with his head back and his eyes closed. "I don't believe you," she stated to his quiet presence.

  He peered at her for a moment and acknowledged her spoken words then let his head back against the headboard. "I'm still going to fix this," he said as he stared at the ceiling. "You'll be able to move on from all this and start over somewhere nice and never revisit this mess. I'll find a way for you to walk away and forget Morgan, myself, everything. Leave it all behind and live for yourself. You will find peace, Madison. This I promise you."

  She watched him after he went quiet again. He was wrestling with something. His promise to her would cost him. If all he had said about Morgan was true, and Morgan owned him, Skyler's assistance would not go unpunished. There's no telling how far Morgan's wrath would reach if he learned of the ruse.

  "I don't want to forget you," she whispered, not really meaning for him to hear her.

  He looked to her. "I think you need to, for your own good."

  Madison swallowed her tears and reached for him, curling up against his chest. Crying accomplished nothing. She held tight to him and hoped she could shield him from anymore trouble or hardships. "I can't forget you. I just got you back."

  She matched his breathing as he wrapped his arms around her. He didn't hold her as tightly as he did last time. It was more passive. She knew he was distracted. "Why did you keep the picture if you dislike him so much?"

  His chuckle rumbled in his chest under her ear. "I won that game. And when I finally get a way out, I was planning to give him the picture back as a reminder that he doesn't always win. A bit childish, I know, but still ..."

  A strange smile came to her face as he trailed off, retreating back to his thoughts. There was a note of determination in his tone. He was planning to win. She found herself rooting for him.

  Skyler eventually excused himself and went his way to find a pizza for dinner. He left her alone in the dark room. She didn't mind it, though. Hugging her knees to her chest, she did her best to stop thinking. It didn't happen. Her mind wouldn't stay idle. There were worries hidden at every turn. Her thoughts looped in a vicious circle, winding from her shattered existence to Skyler's bold risks, Chase's unknowing involvement, and the fear that Morgan was the monster Skyler painted him to be.

  He couldn't be a monster. He was good to them both. He loved her. The person Skyler described didn't match anything Morgan had done in the time she knew him. Did it? She remembered his temper flared occasionally, such as after the job they took before their last one.

  "I said it doesn't concern you!" Morgan's raised voice surprised her. He sounded upset.

  Heading into the kitchen, Madison turned the corner in time to see Skyler walk into his room and slam the door. Morgan stood beside the table where the night's earnings was neatly stacked.

  "What was that about?"

  His eyes flashed to hers and narrowed. "It doesn't concern you either."

  She wanted to question him more so, but the look on his face made her nervous. So she lowered her gaze and went to Skyler's door.

  "You're wasting your time," Morgan growled from his place in the kitchen.

  There wasn't an answer to her knocking. She cracked the door open and peeked inside. Skyler was standing at the far side of the room. His glare softened when she let herself in and closed the door.

  "Are you all right?"

  He nodded.

  She wasn't convinced. He was sick earlier in the week and she was afraid it was too early for him to take on a job. "How are you feeling?" She walked over and felt his forehead. It was a little warm.

  "Just tired."

  "We don't have to go to the movies tomorrow. I'll bring one home instead."

  "No," he backed up to the bed and sat on the edge. "I think I need to get out for a while. I've been stuck in the house too long."

  She sat beside him and offered a smile. He didn't give much of one in return. "Can I ask what happened?"

  Skyler wiped his hands down his face stared at the floor. "He took more than he was supposed to." He paused and looked to Madison, "He took twice as much as we agreed on and tried to hide it. I confronted him about it and he accused me of trying to take it. I don't want the money, I never have. But my name is linked to this job, not his. My name is on the line, and he didn't care."

  She nodded and let out a sigh. "I know. I saw him do it. He asked me to open the second safe and I didn't question it. I knew it was more than we agreed on, but I didn't stop him. I don't blame you for being irritated. You have every right to be. I'm sorry."

  He puffed out an unamused laugh. "You're not the one who shoul
d be apologizing."

  "I'll talk to him," she said in hopes to comfort him. "I'll see if there is something we can do to fix this."

  He only shook his head weakly in response. Madison felt his forehead again, "Are you sure you're feeling ok?"

  "I'm fine."

  "Can I get you anything?"

  He shook his head again and gestured towards the bathroom, "I'm just going to take a shower and go to bed."

  "Ok," she stood and gave him some space. "I'll see you in the morning. Maybe we can go try that new coffee house for breakfast."

  Skyler looked to her and gave a nod, "See you in the morning."

  Stepping out of his room, she eased the door closed and turned away, running right into Morgan. She didn't expect him to be standing there. It startled her. She didn't pull away when he took hold of her and wondered how long he had been waiting outside the door.

  "I told you it would be a waste of your time. You need to quit babying him."

  "He's still not feeling well," she said as he released her. He followed her as she headed for the kitchen. She knew he was still in a sour mood. "Why did you have me open the second safe?"

  "It's not like I forced you," he quickly countered. "Why are you two judging me?"

  "We're not judging you. It was just more than we agreed on, and that isn't right." She could feel his eyes on her as she moved about the kitchen and poured a glass of milk.

  "You are constantly reminding me that what we are doing is considered wrong. What is the difference if I took a little more? And who are you to decide what is acceptable or not?"

  She walked over and stood beside him, keeping her voice in a near whisper so she wouldn't be mistaken as arguing. "You know that's not what I'm saying. You also know that Skyler likes to know all the details for a job so he is better prepared to handle any complications along the way, that his name is connected to each job and so his reputation is at risk."

  "He is my employee and he shouldn't concern himself with my affairs. He needs to stick with the duties I give him, nothing more." Morgan looked to the closed door down the hall and shook his head, "He didn't complain when I got him out of that ratty apartment or that run down car."

  Madison put her arms around his waist and pulled herself to him. "We are not in this for the fancy house or new cars. We are only doing this to help you. You said you wanted to get out of this work. That's why we are here, to help you reach that goal."

  He calmed and returned her embrace, holding her snug in his arms. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gotten upset with you. Thank you for reminding me. Another reason why I love you, you keep me in line." He kissed her and wound a spiral of her hair around his finger. "I hope you'll forgive me, but I need to get going. There are still a few more things to finalize before we can call this job completed. I'll be at the office late tonight, so don't wait up for me."

  Morgan released her and went his way, leaving her in the kitchen. She glanced around at the dark living area and hallways, instantly feeling lonely. She usually didn't mind the quiet, but it was different this time. Twirling the ring on her finger, she decided to blame it on the long day. Everything would be back to normal in the morning.

  Madison played the scene over and over in her head. Could that night have been a glimpse at what her fiancé truly was? She had trouble believing it. Everyone has a bad day at times. No one's perfect. But what if that was the real him? What if he didn't want to change what he did for a living? Was she and Skyler just an easy way to get to the next level of a bigger plan?

  The ring hanging from the delicate gold chain suddenly seemed to weigh as much as a train. She found the clasp and thought to take off the haunted piece. But, instead, her fingers trailed down to the ring and wrapped around it.