“What? What is it?” Richie asked.
“Let’s just say we take all these accusations listed here in his file under arrests and questioning and say that they are true and he got away with them. It would mean that he murdered more than a dozen people. This man cannot be underestimated. Juliet is our key to protecting her. She must tell us everything she can about her past, about this guy Robert, and about the murder she knows about,” BJ told them.
“She will tell us. We’ll make sure she understands that we’re here for her,” Carl stated.
“You got her to stay instead of run. Let’s bring her up to Susanna’s office and get the answers we need,” Monte told them.
* * * *
“So what’s the plan, boss?” Robert’s guard, Teddy, asked him.
“There is no plan. Finding Juliana has come as a complete surprise. Did you see her? She is fucking beautiful.”
“Pierce is going to go crazy.”
Robert shot a look at Teddy.
“I can get anything I want from both of them. I can get Juliana to do as I say and be my little pleasure toy, and I can get Pierce to give me whatever I want and promise to deliver Juliana in one piece.”
“What about the security guy? He seemed like more than just a friend. His eyes were red in anger when he saw your hand up the redhead’s skirt.”
Robert chuckled.
“He was nothing to worry about. She knows what I’ll do to him. I killed Danny because Pierce felt that the kid stood in the way of his ultimate plans of seducing Juliana. When he found out Danny took her virginity, Pierce flipped out.”
“It doesn’t concern you about the town, the talk about ménage relationships, ex-military men, etcetera?”
“Fuck no. I got a gun, a knife, and an ability to kill like the best of them. A soldier boy won’t be a match or a concern. Besides, I’m thinking about changing my plans here and maybe taking her tomorrow night. She’ll go with me willingly, even if a boyfriend or whatever tries to stop me. She knows what Pierce will do. I’m a way better choice.”
“But you’re planning on keeping her for yourself a while, right? Won’t Pierce find out?”
“Even if he does, his craving and obsession over Juliana will rule his decisions. He’ll be so ecstatic to have her back, he won’t care what I did to her prior to.”
“That guy isn’t right in the head.” Teddy poured himself and Robert some brandy.
Robert chuckled.
“He hasn’t been right for years. Juliana will never be the same once we’re both through with her.”
* * * *
Juliet sat in Susanna’s office, staring out the window. The others were closing down the club for the night. Monte, BJ, Carl, and Richie were across the hall, probably trying to figure out who Robert was. Juliet felt sick to her stomach. She watched the light rain falling, the way it drizzled down the windowpane, blocking her view of who or what may be out there in the distance. She shivered. Robert wouldn’t take no for an answer. His anger and his loss of control were terrifying to watch. Numerous times she’d witnessed his wrath and his utter lack of respect or remorse after pulverizing someone Pierce had ordered him to.
Pierce. Oh God, please don’t let him find out I’m alive.
The tears rolled down her cheeks. She didn’t bother to wipe them away. She felt so hollow, so frightened and unaware of what to do. Should she trust Richie’s and Carl’s words? Were they capable of handling Robert and Pierce? Should she expose them to such evilness? Was she even worth it and the possibility that Richie or Carl could die? She sniffled as her heart ached. They got her to stay, even when her first instinct was to run. Was she just trying to hold on to the possibility that they could really help her and that they would still care for her? Or was she being a fool? Would she cause them harm? There were too many what-ifs.
The office door opened, and she knew multiple people entered. She clutched the blanket Susanna had given her tighter as she refused to look at them. She couldn’t face anyone right now. Robert’s touch lingered in her mind.
“Juliet, we need to talk,” Carl stated as he joined her on the couch and sat beside her. She continued to stare out the window.
“We need you to explain what’s going on. We want you to tell us about Robert and whoever else is after you. In order to help you, we need to know.” Carl caressed her hair. She sunk down deeper against the couch. She never took her eyes off the window and the falling rain.
“Tell us who Robert is to you,” Richie pushed. Sure he did. He admitted his capabilities, somewhat, earlier to her. He wasn’t a man to reckon with.
“He works for my stepfather.”
“Your stepfather?”