“What did the assholes want?” he asked, when I made it into his office and shut the door. He looked at me from behind his massive desk and leaned back in his chair.
I gave him a dumbfounded look. “What do you think they wanted? They questioned me about Ivy’s dead body.”
“What did you tell them?”
“Nothing, except that if they wanted me to answer shit, I needed my lawyer.”
He nodded in approval of my answer. “Good job. Don’t talk to them again, you hear me? I’ve called my lawyer. Everything goes through him.”
I fell down in a chair. “Got it.”
“Did they ask about John?”
“No, but I’m sure they’ll be bringing him in soon, considering she was all over the news admitting to being his mistress.”
“We need to make sure his name is cleared.”
Ivy had been John’s mistress from hell. He came to us when she started threatening him about exposing their affair. We’d attempted to pay her off, but our checkbooks weren’t thick enough. John’s wife, however, did have enough money, and she paid Ivy to out the affair to the media. She wanted a divorce and needed a way he couldn’t touch her money.
Now Ivy was dead. All fingers pointed to John, and we’d been the one to represent him, which would turn fingers our way, too.
“We have another problem,” I went on. He raised an eyebrow. “It’s Finch.”
“Goddamnit. It doesn’t surprise me that the motherfucker took the case. I’m sure he was jumping at the opportunity.”
“And he’s pretty damn adamant on making sure we’re the ones to go down for it.”
“Did you get any information on her death?”
“Her naked body was abandoned in an alley with multiple stab wounds and a gun shot, execution style.”
“Shit!”
“It looked like the DNA had been wiped clean, so they’re reaching for straws. John has big money behind him, so I think they’re hesitant to bring him in without having sufficient evidence.”
“Did they ask you about the girl?”
“Gabby?” He nodded, like it would kill him to say her name. “They have camera footage of us going to see Ivy at her apartment.”
“Have they brought her in?”
“They can’t find her, but they asked where she is.”
“If she talks, her big mouth will ruin everything.” He shook his head in anger. “Where the fuck is she, anyway? You need to get to her before dimwit Harold does and breaks her down. She could be what gives them the information to kill us. She could shoot us and this entire company down.”
“She’s in Miami with Asher. Murphy is booking me a flight as we speak.”
I wasn’t planning on telling him that, but since he agreed we needed to get to her before the police, there was a chance he’d be less pissed about it.
“The hell you are,” he snarled, proving me wrong. “Call the fucking girl and tell her to keep quiet. I know that’s a problem for her, but you need to explain what’s at stake if she doesn’t. Her ass is on the line, too.”
“She won’t answer my calls because she hates me for what you did. And I’m sure they’re going to have our phones tapped soon.” I wasn’t so sure about the whole phone-tapping thing, but it was another good excuse.
“I’ll send someone down there to get her.”
“I’m the only one going to her. End of discussion. When she comes back, you’re going to play nice. You don’t, I’m not stopping her from doing whatever she wants.”
“I’m the one who needs to play nice?” he huffed out. “Didn’t she leave because of you, not me?”
“She left because of all of us,” I corrected.
He whipped his hand through the air. “Doesn’t matter. Take care of it.”
I brought myself up from the chair and left the room without saying another word. I needed to prepare myself for seeing her again. It was time I go get my girl back.
CHAPTER TWO
GABBY
“Mother fucker, that thing is annoying,” a gravely voice grumbled next to me as the ear-piercing sound blared from the alarm clock sitting on the nightstand.
I was laying in a king size bed, the sun shining through the blinds, in a room that didn’t belong to me – although I was surprisingly growing more comfortable against the sheets with each passing day. That contentment was because of him, and I wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing.
Bad.
Most definitely bad.
I was setting myself up for disaster. Nothing would result in this but heartbreak and broken friendship. I needed to get up, grab my bags, walk away, and stop being so damn selfish.
I told myself that every day. Then backed out. I’d re-convince myself that I needed just one more day to get my head straight.
Because I couldn’t go back there yet.
Because I couldn’t face him yet.
You needed a game plan before you faced the man who broke your heart, a moment to pick yourself up and get the, I don’t give a shit, attitude down, even if you were secretly breaking inside. I had to get that front down before I could go home, because I was positive Dalton would be at my door the second he found out I was back.
“Sorry for waking you up,” Asher muttered, rubbing his knuckles against his eyes.
“It’s okay,” I whispered.
I tried to stop myself before it happened, but it was unstoppable. I took a deep breath and lowered my gaze to eye the skin of his bare chest that was only halfway covered by the sheets. My mouth watered. Looking at him like that was wrong on so many levels. I didn’t have feelings for him like that. No romantic feelings – only friendship. But that still didn’t stop my fingers from itching to reach out and touch him.
That was bad.
Real bad.
A loud, exaggerated cough caused me to peel my eyes away from his body and back to his face. A slow, arrogant smile built on his lips, causing me to sigh loudly as my face warmed. I settled my head back down on my pillow, my cheeks blushing in embarrassment. Just because I was checking him out didn’t mean I was going to straddle his cock and fuck him.
It wasn’t the first time I’d been busted checking him out, and I was sure it wouldn’t be the last, either. Asher had one of the best bodies I’d ever laid eyes on. He was fit from years of playing football. He had an eight-pack, yes an actual eight-pack, and his arms were all muscle. Not an ounce of fat anywhere.
He brought himself up, only torturing me more, and looked down at me. A light scruff was scattered along his tan cheeks.
“For someone who loves to check me out all the time, you sure suck at using it to your advantage,” he said, grinning wildly. “You know you can have your way with me anytime you’d like, right? I’m always at your disposable.”
“Yes, you’ve mentioned that a few times,” I said, slowly.
I tried to tell myself he was joking every time he said something like that, but I knew better. Asher had confessed his feelings for me, and I walked away from him because I didn’t want to ruin what we had. He continued to remind me of it over and over again since I showed up at his doorstep. He was ready for a relationship whenever I was. He was all in.
The problem was that I wasn’t. I was still in love with someone else, and I couldn’t push those feelings away, no matter how hard I tried. I didn’t want Dalton to mean a damn to me, but I couldn’t elude every memory of him – of why I’d fallen so hard for him. I wished I could change it, but not enough time had passed. I wasn’t sure if it ever would. There was something so rough about being hurt by the first person you loved. That hurt put a barricade around your heart and hindered you from allowing anyone else that opportunity.
Asher gave me a look, expecting more to my response. I hated this part. It was like I was punching him with my words every time.
I rubbed my eyes and let out a deep breath before replying. “Asher, you know how I feel about Dalton. It would be unfair for me to say anything else when my he
art isn’t in it.” The only relationship I wanted right now was with my broken heart as I tried to mend it. If that could even happen.
He tried to hide it, but I didn’t miss his face fall. “Have you talked to him?”
I shook my head. “I blocked him from calling or texting.”
That had been step one in my Dalton Detox Plan. If he tried to call, I’d never know. I’d also flagged his email address as spam and blocked him on every social media account I had. He had no way of contacting me. I had no way of hearing his excuses.
“He tried calling me last night,” Asher said.
I shut my eyes, contemplating whether or not I wanted him to go any further. “Does he know?” I asked.
Asher’s long fingers ran over his face. “I’m not sure. I couldn’t understand a damn word he was saying. It was drunken rambles. But since he called me, I’m guessing he knows something. The man has access to stalking people. I’m sure he used it to his advantage.”
“I guess it was pretty obvious if he found out I wasn’t staying with Cora or Daisy.” I didn’t have too many friends to take me in around there.
His face went soft. “I’m glad you came to me.”
He’d been my first phone call when I had to get out of Atlanta fast. The two people I trusted and loved had betrayed me. I’d been fed lies, and I wasn’t prepared to hear their justifications yet. I needed time. I needed space before that could happen. So I turned off my phone, turned up my radio, and drove to Miami.
The white sheets rustled when he stretched out his legs. “A bunch of us are going out tonight to watch the fights. You want to come?”
Asher played football for the University of Miami. So far, I’d met a few of his teammates when they stopped by after practice. They were constantly inviting him to go out with them, but he kept declining because he didn’t want to leave me. I didn’t want him missing out again.
“You go. I’ll be fine,” I replied.
“I’m not going out and leaving you here by yourself.”
“Did you forget I’m only eighteen? I can’t even get into bars.”
“And I’m only twenty, kitten. But being on the football team has its perks.”
“I guess that gives you preferential treatment, huh? You don’t have to obey the laws because you can catch a ball and let other men tackle you?”
He shrugged. “Pretty much. That also means your lucky ass gets to come with me. ID or no ID.”
He chuckled when I rolled my eyes. “Oh yay, I get to be one of your groupies who’s allowed in the club because she’s with the hot, douchebag football player,” I said, feigning excitement.
I knew what it was like getting invited to things because of what your profession was, or whom you were related to. Lane and Cora got invited to everything because his family was loaded, and I always got to tag along with them.
“Awe, that’s sweet babe,” Asher replied, grabbing my side and pulling me into his hard chest. “We’ll have to work on the douchebag part, but I’m glad you’re finally admitting you’re attracted to me. I knew you’d eventually let your honest feelings out that you want to jump my bones.”
From the night I’d met him, I always thought he was attractive. I probably would’ve been all over him if he weren’t my stepbrother. But I only saw him as a friend now. I couldn’t lose everything we’d built by getting into a relationship that ended up not working out. There’d be some very awkward Christmases.
He kissed the top of my head before sliding out from behind me. “I’ve got to shower and then get to practice.”
He yawned and headed towards the bathroom, wearing only his boxers. I didn’t look away until he cut off my view by shutting the door. I twisted around and grabbed my phone at the sound of the shower starting.
I had two missed calls: one from Cora, the other from my mom. I hit Cora’s name and listened to ringing come alive on the other end.
“Hey girl,” she answered.
“Hey, what’s going on?”
“Nothing too exciting here …” Her voice trailed off. Something was up. I knew my best friend well enough to know when she was hiding something from me.
“Okay, what are you not telling me?” I asked, impatiently.
“Nothing.” Her answer came out too quickly before she faked a yawn. “I just woke up. You know how I am when I’m sleepy. I sound weird and shit.”
“Right,” I drew out, skeptically. “Are you going to tell me, or do I have to drag it out of you?”
“Good luck doing that when you’re thousands of miles away. You’re being paranoid. It’s nothing, I only wish you would’ve come to me instead of rushing to Asher.”
“You know I couldn’t because you’re too close to everything and …”
I pulled the phone away when I heard her scream. “Dalton keeps calling us!” Lane’s voice yelled into the phone, and I could hear him fighting Cora off from grabbing it back. “You need to call him. At least hear him out because he won’t leave us alone.”
“I told him not to tell you that shit,” Cora said, taking over the phone at the same time Lane let out a heavy grunt. “It doesn’t matter what that asshole wants. He deserves a quick kick in the balls for what he tried to pull. I mean, who doesn’t tell someone they’re getting married? That’s fucked up.”
“Tell me about it,” I grumbled, pissed off that I still couldn’t escape Dalton from coming up.
“Anyways, how’s Miami.”
“It’s okay,” I answered, relieved that the conversation was turning away from him. “I haven’t done much besides hang out in Asher’s apartment and watch TV.”
“Quit sulking like a Debbie Downer and get out. Move on. He’s a damn Douglas for Christ’s sake. He can’t be that irreplaceable.”
She had no idea. Cora hated Dalton’s entire family because of their reputation and what Dalton’s sister, Piper, had put us through in high school.
But moving on was easier said than done. There was something about the first person you let in that made it harder to move on from. I’d never move on from Dalton. I’d always have that fear of being hurt. When I thought of love, I only remembered how he hurt me.
“We’re supposed to go out tonight,” I told her.
“That’s my girl. Have fun, and if you so happen to get the opportunity to hook up with your sexy stepbrother, do it.”
I chuckled and rolled my eyes. Cora was Team Asher right now. She was actually Team Anyone That Wasn’t Engaged. “That is so not happening.”
“You never know. Asher would be good for you. He’s a great guy, and he obviously likes you. Quit going for assholes. They’re always going to screw you over because that’s the only thing they know how to do. Try the nice guy for once. See how much happier you’ll be when you don’t have to worry about getting hurt every three seconds.”
“He’s my stepbrother.”
“There are no bloodlines shared.”
Cora told me the rest of the gossip around the city and then begged me to call my mom. I eventually told her I had to go.
That phone call to my mom was going to have to wait.
I waved goodbye to Asher and waited until I heard the front door shut before I let the tears slip. I was holding up my front around other people, but I couldn’t do it alone. No. When I was alone, I had time to think, to remember, and those memories wouldn’t stop, no matter how hard I tried to forget them.
Dalton made me believe that I was good enough for the first time ever. He made me believe that I was capable of love – both giving and receiving it.
I shut my eyes, relaxing my head against the pillow, and memories haunted me. My stomach grew nauseated as I remembered the night I’d found out he was engaged to that beautiful woman. I’d never forget that feeling of being so high but falling so quickly. I’d never experienced it before, having my heart ripped from my chest and torn into pieces between someone’s vile and deceitful fingers.
I never wanted to feel that way again.
My heart was off limits to not only Dalton but to the entire male population.
***
The pub was crowded with drunken college students huddled around tables with their attention on the numerous big-screen TVs plastered to the walls. I watched a table of guys high-five each other when one of the fighters on the TV fell down and took a hit straight to the face. I’d never understood what was so entertaining about watching two guys beat the shit out of each other, but whatever. I was only there to get my mind off Dalton and relax.
“What do you want to drink, kitten?” Asher asked, his hands locking around my waist to lead me towards the bar.
He’d been right. We weren’t even carded. The bouncer simply moved aside to let us in, no questions asked.
“Whatever is fine,” I answered. “But nothing too strong.”
I’d never really been a heavy drinker, so I needed to be cautious. The last time I was drunk around a guy I was attracted to, I gave him my virginity. I obviously couldn’t re-gift that to Asher, but the higher my alcohol content, the higher the chance I’d make a stupid decision.
“I’ll take a Coors, and she’ll have a vodka with cranberry,” he yelled over to the bartender, who promptly started making our drinks. “Here.” He handed me the drink. “This shouldn’t be too strong, if you take it slow.”
“Thanks,” I replied, with a smile.
He grabbed my hand and guided me to a table in the middle of the room where a few guys were sitting.
“Asher, my man. What’s going on, bro?” one guy asked, his eyes on me when we made it to our seats. The other guys gave us a head nod and then turned their attention back to the fight.
Asher dragged out a stool for me before taking the one to my right. “Not shit, man,” he answered. He grabbed his phone from his pocket when it started to ring and stared at the screen. “Shit. This is important.” He turned towards the guy. “Keep an eye on her. Don’t leave her side.”
Breaking Karma Page 2