The loud buzzing of the alarm on my nightstand startles me, yanking me out of my trance. A ray of light shines through the thick curtains, pulling me from my bed. My feet carry me forward and within seconds, I’m standing directly in front of my large windowpane. It’s been a long time since I was even curious to look outside, haven’t even been tempted. I’ve believed that my future would be spent inside the estate. Solitude is my only option. The safeness that it provides is soothing. But today, the day after my first encounter with Cambree, I feel a smidge of empowerment doused in a badge of courage.
My right hand grabs the edge of the curtain. I stand still as my heart races a hundred miles a minute. Is this a good idea?
Slowly, I pull the curtain away from the window, inch by inch. The bright daylight swallows me whole. As if I were a vampire exposed to the sun’s natural light, I freeze. My body tingles from the sun’s warmth, and bile rises in my esophagus. I’m going to fucking puke, like a little coward. Marching toward the bathroom, I hold my hand over my mouth, a temporary barrier as I gag on the contents begging to be let loose. Leaning over the toilet, relief washes over me as I expel the vomit. Beads of sweat roll down my forehead and I curse myself for being so naïve, so reckless.
There is no way in hell the beauty I met yesterday is worth losing every bit of contentment I’ve gained. None whatsoever.
I sigh heavily as I grab my toothbrush. “Pull it together, Kincaid.” I give myself a mental pep talk as I apply a layer of toothpaste and prepare to get ready for my day filled with business meetings and mergers.
By mid-afternoon, I’m exhausted. Not only was this morning’s event traumatizing, but then later I learned the identity of one of my attackers. There had been no doubt that Neil would find him. I would’ve bet my entire inheritance on that. Neil is simply good at what he does, and his proficient work ethic was proven once again.
“His name is Anton Vadim. I know you don’t want to hear this, Kincaid, but the fucker’s been tracking you. I got a hit on him, and followed him to his apartment across town. The bastard went out the window when I kicked down the door, but I scoped out his place. There are news clippings from your attack, the gun trafficking, and your father’s murder. I’m putting the estate on high alert. We’re not taking any chances. Not this time,” Neil says as he leans against the wall. His gun hoisted on his hip, visible, worn like a badge of honor.
“Anton, as in the same man that my father had arrested in the 90s?” I ask him to clarify. I put two and two together. “Do you think that he came after him for revenge?”
“That’s him, and yes, I do. If I had to speculate, I’d say that he had a vendetta against Wade and took him out. My only question is why he’d then come after you? I highly doubt it’s because you and Wade are blood.”
I rub my temples, knowing exactly who Anton is, and worse, exactly what he is capable of doing.
“There’s an indoor and outdoor pool, a tennis court, and indoor basketball court. Feel free to use the amenities as you wish,” Jarod states as he strolls a few feet in front of me, holding his hand out, gesturing to the mature grounds surrounding us.
“I can’t believe this place. It’s huge and a little overwhelming,” I admit as my eyes scan the butler’s quarters through a large window, which just so happens to be bigger than my entire apartment and probably my neighbor’s combined. “Are you sure he doesn’t mind me crashing here? Don’t get me wrong. I mean, I don’t live in the lap of luxury, but this feels weird, moving into a complete stranger’s house, the same stranger who just summoned me, sexual favors and all.”
A grin crosses Jarod’s face as he turns toward me. “Niko called me this morning. He said he’d like you to stay as long as you wish. As for feeling strange about the new living arrangements, you should feel flattered. He’s never wanted a woman to stay in his home before.”
“It’s all a little overwhelming,” I confess as I lower my head. It’s also strangely nice to feel wanted by someone, even if it’s due to some strange contract.
“It can be, but you’ll get used to it. If you need anything, you can ask me or any of the staff. They can be very accommodating.” He winks in my direction.
Smiling, I assume Jarod’s flirtation is harmless, and more than anything, I appreciate him taking the time out of his day to show me around. “I hate to ask you this, but would you mind giving me a ride to the nursing home? I’d like to stop by and see my Grams, and I’d drive but we left my car parked at my apartment.”
“Remind me to send someone for it. But I don’t mind driving you around.” He gives me a boyish grin.
Nodding my head, I follow behind him as he leads us out of a side gate tucked away, near the front of the garden. My eyes widen and I gasp out loud as we stroll through a large enclosed patio. Every square inch of this place is flawless. There’s no doubt in my mind that an interior designer decorated the entire estate.
“So, tell me, why does Niko live in this giant estate? I mean we both know he only stays in his bedroom. It doesn’t make sense to me. Why didn’t he just sell this place and move into a small loft or something?” I ask as we near a black SUV.
Jarod reaches across me and opens the passenger side door. “Get in,” he commands harshly. My nose scrunches. Whom does he think he is talking to? I do as instructed, but I become wary of his sudden callousness.
“He had nothing left. All of his family is dead,” he admits as the engine roars loudly, and I immediately feel awful. “He was brutally attacked, Bree.” Jarod pauses, gauging my reaction to his admission as he looks in the rearview mirror and we start to roll backward.
A crease forms in the center of my forehead. He was attacked? No wonder he’s so sheltered, he’s scared. But of what?
“Don’t ask questions that you know I will not answer. It’s not my story to tell. However, I can tell you that this is his home, his sanctuary. It’s the only place where Niko feels safe.” Jarod moves his hand over toward the small knob on the radio and turns the volume up. A soft melody fills the air and I know I’ve reached my limit on inquisitiveness. I remain silent for the rest of the ride. Don’t let my sudden muted behavior delude you into thinking that my mind stopped going a hundred miles a minute. With no knowledge of this man, I can’t even begin to be certain why I choose to trust him.
The only facts that I know about Niko are what Jarod has told me, or I read in our agreement. He lives in a giant house that could easily hold my entire apartment complex full of people, and the world thinks that he is dead. Oh, and then there’s the little fact that he pays women to sleep with him and then sends them on their merry way when he is finished.
The newest bit of information being the strangest–he was attacked. I can’t shake the curiosity as to why someone would want to hurt him. As if the knowledge of knowing Niko faked his own death wasn’t enough to handle, I now know that someone tried to hurt him. Because of my stupidity, I’m tied up in a giant mess of lies. I’ll allow myself to be tangled in this web as long as Grams is benefiting. That’s the only thing on my radar right now.
The tires of the vehicle keep spinning, much like my brain, trying to make sense of the situation. Try as I might to wrap my pretty little head around it, nothing about Niko Kincaid makes much sense.
“We’re here,” Jarod says, breaking my train of thought. The SUV comes to a slow halt outside of the entrance.
Unbuckling my seatbelt, I turn to face Jarod. “I won’t be too long, maybe an hour. Can you pick me back up? Or…I don’t mind calling a cab.”
Jarod shakes his head yes, indicating he will come pick me up and then slides out a cell phone from his jacket. “This is your loner phone. Please keep it on you at all times.”
“Say what?” I ask, cynically.
“It’s courtesy of Niko,” he says with a sour tone. “Remember the agreement was a twenty-four hour commitment. This way he can contact you.”
“Oh, okay. Weird, but whatever.” I grab my purse from the floorboard and open the door.
Walking toward the building, I stop and look over my shoulder only to find Jarod still parked in front of the building, watching me like a hawk. A penetrating glare burns in his eyes when they meet with mine. Shaking it off, I open the door and walk inside. The smell of staleness and death attacks my senses.
“Miss Evans, it’s nice to see you. I’m sure Joyce is going to be happy as well. She’s having a good day today.”
I smile politely at the nurse but walk past her without so much as a word in return. I’m no fool. It’s all an act, Oscar worthy. They couldn’t care less about Grams. Or maybe, it’s the money that has changed their minds.
Greedy bastards.
As soon as I take one step into her room, there is something different. Something I haven’t seen in a while. Grams is sitting up, her back propped against a white pillow. The curtains are open, letting in the sun’s rays, and there is a nice clean scent in the air. Bending, I grab the linens and rub them between my fingers. They’re soft. Money does talk after all.
“Hey, Grams,” I casually say as I bend down and kiss her cheek, knowing damn well that she isn’t going to say it back. I can thank her stroke for that. “It’s nice to see you like this.” She doesn’t move or make a sound, but I can tell a difference. The fear that lingers in her eyes isn’t there today. I would know if she wasn’t happy. It’s like a sixth sense. I just know her.
“I wanted to stop by…and…I met someone,” I squeal. If it weren’t for her, there would be no one for me to tell my deepest secrets. “It wasn’t normal, it was more of a set up. You know, like your best friend fixes you up with her boyfriend’s best friend type deal,” I lie, sparing the gory details. Although, I know my words are safe, I feel as if no one can handle the truth. I’m not even sure how I am coping with it so calmly. “Anyway, there’s something so off about this man. He seems broken, and I’m not sure why.” I sulk. “You know me. I’d help mend every bird with a broken wing if it meant it would fly again. You brought that out in me, remember, Grams? I was so broken when you came into my life. You healed me, helped me, and taught me to see the good in others, too.
“Anyway, he has no friends or family as far as I can tell. I don’t know why I feel like I can help him, but I do. Maybe it’s because I feel sorry for him. I’m not sure, but I want to help bring him out of his shell, introduce him to the light again.” I take a deep breath. Hearing myself say it aloud, speaking the words I’ve held in all night, is a little startling. A brief relief washes over me. My decision is made and I know without a shadow of a doubt, I will help him. I just hope that helping him doesn’t break me in the process.
“Oh, Miss Evans,” a different nurse says, surprised to see me as she walks into the room. “I’m so glad you stopped by today. We need a signature on Joyce’s new treatment plan. Your timing is impeccable.”
An array of questions forms in my mind. I can feel it and hear it in my voice. “I’m sorry, new treatment plan? I’m not quite sure what you’re talking about.”
The nurse takes a step closer to me, lifts up a paper on her clipboard and frowns. “I’m sorry. It appears that the doctor hasn’t contacted you yet.”
Jolting up, I’m not sure whether to snatch the clipboard out of her hand or tackle her. “Then I suggest you better start talking,” I demand as I stand in front of the nurse, rolling my head as I speak.
“Ma’am, I understand that this is news to you, and I’m sure that you have questions, but it would be best if you waited until the doctor arrives or contacts you. This honestly isn’t my place to discuss.”
The life I lived prior to Grams seeking me out wasn’t a pleasant one. I did what I thought necessary to survive. That meant doing whatever I had to in order to get what I wanted. Although that girl is long gone, the anger I feel in this very moment digs up her personality.
My feet squeak on the linoleum floor as I step toward the nurse and place my hand on her forearm. Gently giving her a push to the side, I yank the curtain that separates the room and pull it shut around us.
“You have five seconds to tell me what the hell is going on with my Grams. Five. Four—”
“Okay, okay….” The nurse stutters in fear. Tilting my head to the side, I impatiently wait for her to speak.
“She has pneumonia. That accompanied by the congestive heart failure isn’t good. The doctor knows that your grandmother signed a Do Not Resuscitate form. He wanted you to sign some things as well, since you are her legal guardian. I’m sorry to break this to you, but it’s bad, Miss Evans.”
There are no words to describe the pain that courses through me as I bend to sit on an empty bed. A silent curse repeats in my head. It’s my father’s fault that Grams stayed away so long. She couldn’t stomach how her only son treated his wife. It repulsed her, so she stayed as far away as she could, until a fire claimed both of my parents’ lives. And then Grams swooped in and rescued me. Since then, I’ve been trying to save her life, just as she did for me.
“I…I…just don’t get it. She looks so healthy today.” A sour taste makes itself present in my mouth as I yell, “It’s this place. You did this to her…you and this fucking horrible place.” I quiet my voice as soon as I remember Grams is right next to us, probably listening to everything being said. “Are you sure it’s pneumonia?” I ask in a calmer tone, my palms sweating.
The nurse nods.
“Prepare the paperwork, I’ll be back to sign them. You had better take care of her until she takes her last breath or so help me, I’ll make you wish you never got a job here.” I tug the curtain back and grab my things, leaving the nurse standing in my wake.
Pushing my purse up my arm and onto my shoulder, I lean down and whisper into Grams’s ear, “I love you, sweet lady. Make sure you get plenty of rest today and enjoy the sunshine. Okay?” Placing another small kiss on her temple, I inhale, and then turn and walk away.
A small tear trickles down my face as I walk down the hallway that is crowded with elderly people in wheelchairs and aides in scrubs. Making it to the exit sign seems like an impossible task. As I glance around, the people who are supposed to be patients seem more like prisoners.
When I make it to the door, my shaky hand pushes it open and I stumble outside. I’m shocked when I see Jarod looking down at his phone. I amble toward the SUV, emptiness consumes me, and I don’t even see Jarod approach my side.
“What’s wrong, Bree? What happened in there?” He places his hands firmly on my shoulders.
Throwing my hands over my face, I try to hide the pain, and the tears that are forming. “She’s going to die, maybe not today, but soon. I thought I’d have more time. I feel like I’m going to vomit,” I confess as my body numbs from the information I just received.
“Shh,” he hums against my ear as his arms wrap around my body, pulling me closer to his chest. His touch is gentle, and I almost forget that he is a stranger. Almost. I can’t forget the fact that he sought me out at the café and changed my life.
He introduced me to Niko. Just thinking his name reminds me that there’s still hope. I have mixed feelings when it comes to him. I feel an attraction to him, even without ever seeing him. It’s hard to understand, I know because I’m still trying to sort it out in my mind. I spent all of the money he paid me on Grams’s expenses as soon as the check cleared my bank, but maybe I can convince him to give me more money. I know I haven’t even upheld my end of the agreement yet, but I can change that, especially if it means luring him into giving me more. I could finally move her into my apartment. Without the daunting cost of the nursing home, my funds from work can be used to pay the utilities on time. That wouldn’t even be an issue anymore. I can even hire a twenty-four hour nurse who would be able to stay with her around the clock.
“Could you take me to one more place?” I feel deceptive as my shaky voice asks.
“Your wish is my command,” Jarod holds out his hand, like he’s offering to accompany me in a dance. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think that both he an
d Niko were from another time. They’re so well mannered, charming, and intense.
Knowing that I’m being used for sex only fuels me to use them too. Maybe I was naïve to get mixed up in this situation, but after hearing about Grams’s condition deteriorating, I can’t allow myself to be fooled. There’s more money to be made, and I’m going to get it, even if that means stowing my urge to help Niko for a little bit. She is my top priority.
“I’d like for you to take me to Bloomingdales. I need to pick up a few things for tonight.” I find a perverse pleasure in what I’m going to do to get what I want.
A LIGHT KNOCKING ON the door alerts me that Cambree has arrived. Standing up, I straighten the front of my shirt, pushing away the wrinkles, and then walk toward the door. Glancing down at my watch, I hit a small round button on the side. The light illuminates the screen allowing me to read it. Nine forty-three.
“It’s open,” I call out, too scared to open it myself and risk the lighting in the hallway touching my body, exposing me for the monster I am.
The sound of the knob twisting makes my stomach drop to my knees. I hadn’t realized just how excited and nervous I was to see her until this very moment. Quickly looking around the room, I hope that I didn’t go too over the top. Oh well. If I did, it’s not like I’m used to trying to accommodate anyone but myself.
The door creaks open, and she walks in. I can smell her presence. I can’t pinpoint it exactly, but I think it’s a mixture of flowers and shampoo.
“Wow,” she mutters in a daze, the door clicking shut behind her. “You did all of this for me?” Surprise rings in her voice as she asks.
“I didn’t want you to be scared. If this is what it takes for you to come see me, to fight your fear of the dark, then yes, I did all of this for you,” I confess, and I silently hope that she appreciates it and doesn’t think that it’s odd. I watch as she peers around the room in amazement. Tiny glow sticks are scattered across the room. Their positioning isn’t too close, though—just in case their light is stronger than expected—but they’re there. Enabling her vision, just enough so she feels comfortable.
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