April
There was a seriousness to Jason when he’d sent me off on my errands. I didn’t know what was on his mind, exactly, but I got the impression there was more to the task than picking up milk and eggs.
So, I decided to give him some space. No doubt he had a hell of a lot to think about.
And so did I.
I made my way through the streets of the Upper West Side, taking in the sights. Another gorgeous spring day, the feeling in the city peaceful. And maybe it was, for the people around me.
But there was anything but peace in my mind. I still had to betray Jason to save Michael. I couldn’t figure out a way around it. And as much as I didn’t want to admit it, I’d fallen for Jason. What had started out as a terrible situation had only become more and more complicated.
Back at the house, tucked away under the mattress in my room, was the information I needed to put it all to an end. With a simple phone call, I could be handing it off to Anton within the hour, Michael free and safe by the end of the day.
It could all be over. All I had to do was tear Jason and Willa apart.
As much as I wished I wasn’t thinking about it, what Shauna had said to me before kept coming into my mind, over and over again—what she’d said about Jason being a player, screwing the staff and treating women like dirt.
Was it true? The more I got to know him, the more it didn’t sit right with me. Jason loved Willa, and it was clear he’d felt just as strongly for his late wife. Not to mention how he’d been treating me. He’d shown kindness toward me, real affection. There was more to him than just his reputation, his dark secrets—I could see that now.
Would a man like that really be the type of scumbag Shauna had said he was?
When I’d wasted enough time, I finally went to the store, picking up the few things that Jason had sent me to get. It wasn’t much, just some odds and ends that made me more certain that he wanted a little time to himself.
I got home around noon, having spent more time lost in my own thoughts than I’d realized.
To my surprise, Shauna was in the kitchen when I arrived. She flashed me a grin, as if I was her best girlfriend in the world.
“Hey!” she said. “What’s up?”
She looked at the bags in my hands, hurrying over to grab one.
“Let me help you with that,” she said.
“Thanks.”
Once the bags were on the counter, I dropped into one of the seats and let out a sigh. Shauna had her laptop open in front of her, but shut it and turned her attention to me.
“All right,” she said. “What’s going on?”
How the hell was I supposed to answer that question? Well, I’ve been sleeping with Jason and he told me he’s involved in illegal dealings.And by the way, I’m planning to betray him.Also, I’ve fallen for him.
“Just…got a lot on my mind.”
She grinned. “Well, you know what always helps when I’m feeling overwhelmed? Some midday white wine.”
“I don’t know. I’ve still got a lot of stuff to do.”
“And staying cooped up in your own head isn’t going to help. Come on—let’s get something to eat, a little to drink, and you can tell me what’s on your mind.”
I still didn’t know how much I could trust Shauna. But even though I didn’t plan on spilling my guts, it did sound nice to have some company.
“But what about Jason?” I asked.
She waved her hand through the air. “He’s in his office right now, probably going to be there the rest of the day. I told him to message me an hour ago if he needed anything, and I haven’t heard a word. We’ll be fine. I know this awesome hole-in-the-wall Thai place. Let’s go!”
I felt like I was getting wrapped up in everything, out of control. But Shauna took my hand and led me outside and soon the two of us were on our way.
She cast a side-eyed glance at me as we walked, as if she were trying to see right through me.