The conversation I had with Christine lingered in the back of my mind all through the evening and the next day. It felt strange, feeling empathy for the woman, but I did. We weren’t as different as I first imagined, except now, she was the one trapped with no way out. I’d escaped him, at least. I knew how imprisoned she had to feel, and I hoped she would take me up on my offer to help.
When I’d relayed everything to Monroe, he’d softened, and perhaps even respected her a little now. She’d always been in Brittni’s shadow and hadn’t made the best choices in life as she tried to keep up, making a name for herself. I’d assumed they were from the same circles I was growing up, but Wells was all too happy to let me know they’d come from the poor side of town and liked to pretend they were better now. The part that had irritated Monroe the most, though, was that she might’ve been targeted, a ploy to use against him.
I still didn’t buy that level of deceit because it felt too far-fetched. How could my mother have known my neighbor would be Monroe? I still think it was a coincidence due to the elite circles being small. She might’ve been targeted, but not in the way he assumed. I think Christine was being used to cover their tracks and take the fall if anything happened. She was the one who had Barkley, after all. Plus, the fact he’d been paying her bills, it all smelled like a setup. I didn’t have the heart to tell her she was chosen because she would be an easy suspect in whatever scheme he’d cooked up. She’d just started regaining her confidence. I didn’t want to take it away.
So I lied to myself, saying it was for her own good. But really, it was for mine. I didn’t want her to crumble before she discovered the information I needed. I could finally uncover what my mother was up to. I didn’t like thinking of myself as selfish, though, so I shoved it away, covering it with the knowledge I was doing a good deed. It was dangerous how well I could twist a lie into truth if it benefited me.
Maybe I wasn’t any better than my mother after all?
Thinking about it wasn’t productive, though, so I shoved it down, cringing at the discomfort of having to lie to myself, placing the mask back on. Only this time, it shielded me from me.
We’d dropped Monroe off so he could pick up Levi, and Wells took Barkley until I could get it worked out with my condo. It had to be approved by the co-op before I could bring her there. So in the meantime, she got to play with all of his furry children as I’d started calling them, much to his dismay. It was fun to see him wince, but he didn’t deny it, so I think he secretly liked it.
Nicco and I hung out for a while after everything, and it was nice to have a night in with him with no expectations. We cuddled on the couch, and the kiss he gave me when he left had me pulling out my vibrator later.
Today, I had a full day ahead of me, and the thought didn’t exhaust me as it once had. In fact, I looked forward to all the things I had planned. Jude needed to be dropped at Ignite to work on a project with Mitzi. She had agreed to allow him to do his internship there, making Jude ecstatic to give back to the center. Afterward, he was going to hang with Nicco until I could pick him up. Wells didn’t want to bring two dogs into the city, so I was making the trip out to his house to see Barkley and Fort. Then we would train there.
Around lunchtime, I’d pick up Jude, and we would head over to the Master’s place. I wanted to touch base with Immy again, and Sax had asked to spend some time with me. Jude had wanted to see Immy as well, so it worked out. Sax said he’d put him to work while I spoke with Imogen, then we’d switch. It felt like I was organizing playdates, and I chose to keep it that innocent in my mind. Yep, denial was bliss sometimes.
Then that evening, it was a movie and game night celebration with Levi and Monroe. Last night was their time to reconnect. I felt it was vital for them to have that unsupervised. Plus, Monroe had to break the news about Brittni. But tonight, Monroe wanted to celebrate, and I was looking forward to it. I’d missed Levi as well. I held a bright spot for the kid and his love of cookies.
If I really thought about it, I had three dates planned today, but who was counting? I wasn’t going to complain.
“You ready to go, Juju?” I asked, laughing.
Jude looked up from packing his bag, giving me the most teenager look he’d ever given, as he looked up at me through his eyelashes. It clearly said he was disappointed in me. “No.”
“Ahh, come on, Juju. It’s so cute.”
“No.”
“Fine,” I pouted. “You ready?”
“Yeah.”
We headed out to the garage, taking my car since I had a million places to be today. I didn’t want to use Natalie even though I knew she wouldn’t mind. I didn’t want to be shackled to a time limit other than the ones I had. I tried to use Nat as much as possible because I knew she needed the income, and it was a fun way to see my friend, but I was also mindful not to overuse her, not wanting her to think the friendship was only about that. She had indeed become one of the best girlfriends I’d ever had, and I couldn’t imagine not having her in my life.
Unlocking the car, the beeping sounded as we approached, but before I made it to my door, I jumped back, almost knocking into Jude at the sudden movement. A man had stepped out from the shadows, scaring me as he approached.
I grabbed my necklace, ready to pull the ring of the necklace Sax had given me to release the blade when I realized who it was. I didn’t let go, though. The danger was still present.
“Brian. What are you doing here?”
I tried to keep my voice firm, but my body had viscerally reacted to him despite my need to stay confident. I felt Jude at my back, touching my elbow, offering me his support. It helped to steady me as I took in a few breaths when Brian stalked closer.
He was pissed, the anger clear as day on his face, and I stiffened. God, I hated how scared he made me feel, how small. The panic was climbing up my throat, attempting to override my need to be strong. I debated what to do, if I should send Jude away to get help, or if keeping him here meant Brian wouldn’t cross any lines. But I’d been frozen for too long, and he was practically on us already.
“Promise me if things go sideways, you’ll run and get help. Call Sax or Monroe. But don’t try to step in. Help is the better option,” I whispered over my shoulder to Jude.
“I don’t know if I can promise you that, Lor.”
“Please,” I begged. “I don’t think it will, but if it does, I want to know you’ll be safe and are getting help.”
“Fine. I promise.”
No sooner had he said the words than Brian made it to us. The first thing I noticed was his smell. He reeked, the sourness was pungent as it seeped from his pores. Brian was clearly drunk at 8 am. The second was the disorderly way he was dressed, most likely still in the clothes from the day before. And the third was the black eye he sported. I really hoped whoever had hit him made it hurt. Worry that it could’ve been Christine and something might’ve happened to her spiked, but I blocked it out, needing to focus on the here and now.
“Brian. What are you doing here?” He still didn’t answer, only sneering at me. He leaned down, bringing his face closer to me, and I immediately took a step back, trying to get out of his range. I was just about to send Jude away to get help when Brian spoke.