Mum slurred her response, “I dunn giva fuck… bitch wass tryin it awn wif Charlie.”
Veronica, swayed as she stood. She was drunk but not in the stupor my mum was in, she rinsed the cloth and kept dabbing at my mum’s eyebrow. “Yeah, I know. But he’s left you, he’s not yours anymore…” she eyed my mother cautiously, kneeling beside my mum who was slumped on the side of the bath. “They’re together, or at least from what I’ve heard.”
The one and only image of my mother’s tears burned into my soul. Mum’s face crumpled as her shoulders bobbed and sobs wracked through her. “But I sstill luv-im.”
…
The rest of the week at work was, thankfully, entirely uneventful… except for one phone call from Denver. His professional voice oozing over the phone. “I’m calling to confirm the file I requested.” I swallowed the bile that pooled in my mouth and listened. “So, my colleague, Barry will be meeting with you in Flanagan’s. I’ll confirm time in due process.” With that, he hung up.
Ok, ok, it’s one file. One piece of paperwork… it’s not that big of a deal. Big companies like this loose more paperwork than that. I assured myself that it was a once off, that I would apply for other jobs, any jobs, to get out of here. He won’t blackmail me again.
I didn’t know why Louise is so uptight about this guy. He was greasy, yes, imagined himself as a big-shot, yes, but what hold could he have over me once I left this place? Worst case was he’d share a video that wasn’t me and by the time he’d do that, I’d be gone from here anyway so that couldn’t hurt my job. He overstepped when he got physical in the kitchen that day, but my guard will not be down again - he won’t get that chance to sneak up again. I didn’t believe he had the balls to actually attack me now. The pocket knife I had tucked into the side of my bra was my insurance… and I prayed to God I didn’t need it.
Chapter 10
Bella
Mildred, my manager, arrived into work shortly after I did, which was a surprise since she was supposed to be on holiday leave for another few days.
“I was about to go to sleep last night and I remembered that the Windsor case needed signing off by the end of the month.” She smiled. It was nice to see her looking so relaxed, in the short time I’d been here, it seemed that she worked at warp speed the whole time and the dark bags under her eyes were somewhat faded today. “I need a favour, though,” she peered at me over her reading glasses, “Can you pop round to their office, they’ve some paperwork waiting for us to process.”
On the way back, I passed a deli and decided to grab a sandwich for lunchtime. Sandwich in one hand, large file in the other; I almost dropped both when I caught a glimpse of Jake as I left the deli. He’s walking straight towards me, fuck! A flash of electricity zipped through me in excitement, and I instantly scolded myself - girl-code, even if Louise denies there’s anything going on… but damn, that chiselled jaw, the slight stubble, and those smouldering blue eyes. Jeeze, those eyes could get you into trouble.
I scrambled to think of something coherent to say but when he reached my length the words poured out before my mind had the chance to filter them. What I hadn’t seen on his face from afar was painfully clear at this closeness.
“Oh my God, Jake, what the fuck happened?!” his eye was swollen and the skin was a curious shade of purple. His other cheek was reddened and I’m pretty sure he wasn’t holding his arm that way before.
He laughed dryly, “Nice words for a lady.”
“Jesus, are you ok?” I couldn’t breathe; I didn’t care what my words sounded like. Why did I feel so angry at seeing him like this?
“I’m fine, it’s nothing.” He brushed my concern off like I brushed off compliments. He watched me, searching my face for tells. I shivered knowing he was looking at me, but somehow, the fool I was, I wanted him to keep looking.
“Not working in the office today?” he asked casually.
“I’m on my way back now.”
“Great,” he said, turning the opposite direction to what he had been going, “I’ll walk with you.”
I felt the air frizzle between us, I was suddenly nervous and my mouth was dry. If only I’d bought some water in the deli too. As we walked, Jake explained that the gym was going very well and that he was building on his MMA training. The gym was putting forward a couple of guys into a competition soon and that he was sparring with them. He laughed, a sound that was deep and felt like home, promising that the other guy looked a lot worse that he did. I truly hoped he did.
It was the first time we’d spoke more than a few words to each other, the first time we’d been alone together and I had to admit, I could see what attracted Louise to him. I wasn’t ready for a relationship, after what had happened before, but if I had met Jake in six months’ time and he wasn’t secretly dating my work friend, then he would be exactly what I would look for. Tall, strong, very much an alpha, and that air surrounding him that told you he always got what he wanted. God help me, and I knew it was a betrayal to Louise, but a dark, deep and unsatisfied part of me wanted him to want me.
We reached the street corner beside the office too soon. He said his easy goodbyes and left me feeling giddy from being so close to him, but also disappointed that he would obviously never see me as anything more than an acquaintance.
Mildred disappeared with the Windsor file as soon as I gave it to her and a few moments later my mobile phone pinged.
I’m dying to share our little video… or did you get that folder?
An unknown number and no name - and I needed neither. Denver had my personal number now.
At 4 o’clock Mildred popped a lever arch folder on my desk, her face etched with stress. “I need another favour… I really need to go; my daughter’s waiting on me. That’s most of the final paperwork for the Windsor file completed. Can you get this form signed by their CEO tomorrow then print the invoice, put a photocopy inside here and then put this back into the cabinet in my office - just use your key, and lock up again when you’re done.”
No one would have questioned me being in Mildred’s office whilst she was off anyway, but I’d just been given a valid excuse for being there today. I would take the Chester file tomorrow.
Chapter 11
Jake
Meeting Bella like that was an extremely pleasant surprise and one that was needed after the aches my body felt. I was in shape, so the problem had been my brain. The planned Kindred Sons training was starting in earnest and last night’s had been heavy going: I wanted everyone to realize we’re not as ready as we should be. Six guys at a time in a boxing ring, the last one standing was the winner. Then the 6 winners fought each other. I’ve been distracted lately so I deserved the couple of swipes that came my way, if I’m honest I was pleased that no one pulled punches if they had the opportunity to take me out - I certainly didn’t. They all ended up on their asses regardless.
For some reason, I didn’t like lying to Bella about it; hiding the one thing I am most proud to be a part of. But the Kindred Sons don’t discuss internal affairs with anyone outside the Family. The MMA thing was a real thing anyway and was on the gym’s website so at least if she cared enough to look, she’d buy it.
I went back to the business I needed to do, and by 4:30 I was finished up, so waited in the coffee shop around the corner from Sawyer’s until Louise arrived.
“Thanks for agreeing to meet here, Jake.” Her eyes darted around the room, “With Bella spotting you that day, and Denver being a dick, I thought it was better to keep more of a low profile.”
“I see your point.” I said neutrally.
“Denver wouldn’t lower himself to come in here and Bella doesn’t go home this way - this’ll make you laugh…” she looked at me uncertainly, “Bella thinks you’re my secret boyfriend.”
I almost spat my coffee in her face, swallowing it instead. “Fuck off,” I said, shocked. “But you’re my cousin - what kind of sickos does she think we are?”
“Duh, she doesn’t know th
at… idiot.” She shook her head. “Where’s your head anyway - you know that no one in there knows we’re connected.”
Shite. Of course, that’s where my head should have gone first.
“Does it help us with her if she continues to think that?” I asked, praying that the answer might give me some idea of whether that was why she didn’t like me.
“Why don’t I ask Aunt Jennifer if she’s happy for me to pretend to be your girlfriend?” she said sarcastically. “Pull your head out of your ass, Jake. I’m undercover here; linking me publicly with you will not help - remember why I’m here?”
I nodded, scratching at my stubble. If anyone else spoke to me like that, they’d be in a choke hold now but Louise was basically a little sister to me. Mum and I would stay at Louise’s mum’s every summer. Blood and Loyalty. Always Blood and Loyalty.
“You don’t fool me, you arse.” She said, eyeing me sceptically. “I remember the way you were the last time you fell for a woman.” She tapped my head, “Think with this for a while.”
We sat in silence for a moment as she drank her coffee. I could deny that I had feelings for Bella, and I would deny it to any other person. With Louise, I just wouldn’t broach the subject at all.
She leaned in closer, an action I instantly mirrored, knowing she had something important to say. “I’m certain that he’s targeting her.” Her hushed tones turned serious, “I’m reckoning she has another couple of weeks before she disappears too - if we don’t keep an eye out… like, a proper eye out for her.”
“Like Cassie?” I asked, as quietly as I could, forcing my voice to say her name. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep myself together. This would not happen again. She reached her hand over to mine, giving it a quick squeeze before taking it away again.
“Let me protect her, I’ve already made friends with her - I think she’ll trust me.”
I looked at Louise, her small frame belied the assassin she was trained to be. She looked like a gym-bunny rather than the mafia trained undercover agent she really was. The fierceness in her eyes now was the only thing that gave her away.
I stood, needing to break the eye contact, “Do what you need to do, Louise. I want daily updates and immediate texts about anything you think is important. If Denver so much as blinks the wrong way anywhere near her, you have my go-ahead to take whatever means necessary.”
Her eyes widened in shock as she looked up at me. I cut her off before she was able to speak. “Yes, that’s an order. You follow your orders, if anything happens, I’ll deal with the fallout.”
I tapped her on the shoulder, I needed to get out of this coffee house, it was suddenly too small. “Take any protective action… keep safe, Lu-bell.”
I wandered the neighbourhood for a while before going back to my car. Only to find myself at the riverside where Cassie’s body was found. Her family had placed a little plaque up in her memory. It had been three years since her death and by the looks of it, they still brought fresh flowers.
Cassie, the woman I thought I could love. Except, a few hours before she disappeared I found out she didn’t really feel the same. I couldn’t prove what had happened after that, but I’m certain Denver and his bitch had been involved.
Our relationship was no secret, the Kindred Sons and even the McCauley’s knew we were together. But she felt pressure being the Under Boss’s girl, and I guess she’d expected more diamonds, yachts and long-haul holidays. I found out she’d been playing me to get to the money, but before I was able to confront her and break it off, she disappeared. Initially, I didn’t try to contact her, thinking she’d beat me to making the break. But when she didn’t come back for her personal things - even her purse - I knew something was wrong.
Denver swore that his prostitution business was not involved in any way, but frankly, the girl was not smart enough to be able to disappear without a trace; especially without her phone, cards or any money from her bank accounts. She turned up six months later, face down in the river. The Post Mortem confirmed she was ten weeks pregnant at the time. From the estimated time of death compared with when she left, the baby could never have been mine. I’d found my peace with that.
Toxicology reports also said she must have overdosed and fallen in. I didn’t buy the “accidental overdose” for a second, she never took drugs in the eight months we were together and never would have if she was pregnant. The Kindred Sons would have reported finding her and never given her drugs, so the only other place she could have got them was from Denver’s scumbag dealers. She was anti-drugs, so taking them of her own free will was questionable.
With no proof, I was forbidden to reap any revenge for her death. Cassie was not the woman for me, but she didn’t deserve how things had ended for her. The agreement between the Kindred Sons and the McCauley’s can go to fuck if there is any possibility that Bella could get harmed too.
Chapter 12
Bella
Louise arrived to work at the same time as I did, exactly ten minutes early. We hadn’t chatted much lately so agreed we’d go out for lunch today. Burritos… my guilty pleasure.
I must have thought about the Chester file all night, and no matter how I reasoned, I knew giving the file to Denver was wrong but I was doing it for all the right reasons. Ryan’s parole hearing was in a few weeks. I needed to do whatever it took to make sure that I could be the big sister he needed when he got released. I prayed to God that he would get parole; it would kill him if he was refused again.
The burrito sat heavy on my stomach all afternoon, until four thirty when I decided to just get on with it. Carrying the Windsor file and a second empty file deliberately, I went into Mildred’s office. My heart thumped in my chest and I swore I could actually hear it in my ears. I was convinced that each person who walked by was going to come in and catch me, so I locked the door. Even the pictures of Mildred’s kids around her desk were watching me with suspicion.
Getting the Chester file was simple; it was under C… duh. I grabbed the empty file I’d brought and stuffed the Chester file’s contents inside. Quickly, I did the only thing left to do: lock the cabinets and leave, pretending that none of this ever happened and that I wasn’t breaking the law or giving in to a blackmailer. Back at my desk, I stuffed the file into the extra-large handbag I’d brought today. If anyone was to ask, I’d simply say I was going to catch up on some training paperwork tonight for my probation interview next week.
By home time I was keen to get out with my forbidden cargo. My heart sank as Louise was waiting around on the ground floor. I don’t want to lie to her.
“Have you seen the rain?!” she said, as I looked out the full-length windows to what looked like a typhoon. “C’mon, I’ll give you a lift home… I can’t have you getting pneumonia on my conscience.” With heavy feet, I followed her to the staff parking area and jumped in after the indicators flashed. I nursed my handbag, wrapping my arms around it to hide my decision. I just hoped it wasn’t something I’d live to regret.
We chatted lightly as she slowly made her way through the rush hour traffic. When we finally arrived near my apartment block, I thanked her for what must have been the twentieth time and went to rush out of the car. In my haste to find my keys, the bag flew open and the folder came into view. “Jesus, you doing homework now? I didn’t think Mildred was that bad?” Louise joked.
My face fell, “Um, well, no. I’ve got my probation meeting next week, so I wanna be ready.” I lied… badly.
Louise reached for the file before I had a chance to grab it. “Well, I can help with that! Why didn’t you just say?!”
“Wait!” I pleaded. Her smile dropped as soon as she opened the file.
“Are you fucking serious? What the hell are you doing, Bella!” she snarled at me, rage radiating out of every pore. She shook her head and watched out of the window, unable to look in my direction. “Two fucking years undercover, two years of fucking mundane working and watching for you to come in for a few weeks and put the whole thi
ng in jeopardy!”
Angry tears spilled from her eyes as she turned back at me. “Have you any fucking idea what you could have done - how many lives depend on the contents of this… I mean, did you even look in it?”
Two years? Doing… what? Working and watching? The woman beside me was not the girl I’d made friends with on my first day at work. I could barely speak, so it came out as a whisper. “Who are you?”
Chapter 13
Bella
I gathered my things and got out of the car, fuck the folder - Louise can keep it now. I made a dash in the rain to get inside and was joined by Louise as I slid my key into my front door. “We need to talk.”
I opened my door and she pushed past me. “What the hell are you doing?” my gut warning me that something bad was going to happen.
“I thought we were friends,” she started. “I can’t believe you were going to give this to Denver and say nothing to me. I thought you trusted me?”
I Need A Bad Boy: A Collection of Bad Boy Romances Page 49