Sebastian
“I swear to God, we need to get this bitch snuffed out,” Spencer whispers as he blows into his coffee cup.
I roll my eyes. “Who says snuffed out?”
“I do.”
“Right, because you’re so gangster.” I huff. “Spencer Jones, Mafioso.”
“Yeah, well, this fucking bitch has got it coming. I could be gangster if I wanted to be. I could totally get her snuffed out. Surely Masters knows some hitmen who owe him a favor?”
I look around guiltily. “Keep your voice down,” I whisper.
“What did she take, that’s what I want to know?” he asks. “What the fuck was she doing in your house, and how did she get in if the locks weren’t touched?”
“That’s what I want to know, too.”
We both fall silent as we think.
“Helena doesn’t do anything without an agenda,” I say.
“I know, but what is it?” Spencer asks.
“Money. It’s always about money with her.”
“What about how she chased her?”
I get a vision of April chasing Helena out of the house, and I smile, impressed. “She’s a ballsy bitch, I’ll give her that.” I smile.
“Mr. Garcia?” A doctor walks around the corner.
“Yes?” I stand.
“April’s tests are all back. She has a heavy concussion but is clear to be released into care. Are you okay to stay with her or should I call family?”
“I’ll look after her. Is everything okay?”
“Thankfully, she’ll make a full recovery. I’ve written up a prescription for pain meds. She’ll have a headache for a few days. She’s very lucky.”
“Thank you.” I shake his hand. “I really appreciate it.”
The doctor leaves us alone, and I turn to Spencer. “Do you want to come in and say hi?”
He thinks for a second, “No, it’s okay. I’ll meet her properly some other time. She wouldn’t be in the mood for me. Send her my best wishes, though.” He shakes my hand. “Keep me posted.” He heads for the door.
“Spence?” I call, and he turns back. “Thanks.”
He flashes me a smile, and with a curt nod, he turns and leaves.
If ever there was a faithful friend, it’s Spencer Jones.
The late afternoon sunlight shines through the window. April is fast asleep in my bed, and I’m sitting in a chair in the corner of the room.
No locks were broken, which can only mean one thing. Helena had a key.
How?
The locksmiths should be here soon. I’ve had my security company working on the alarm systems all afternoon. Apparently, the recording function was turned off from inside the house about three weeks ago, which means this isn’t the first time Helena has been here.
What the fuck does she want?
I haven’t been able to ask April anymore questions-she’s still sleepy-but I have this lead ball in the pit of my stomach.
If April had of hit her head any harder, she may have…
I close my eyes.
I’m sickened that things have gone the way that they did.
“Seb?” April whispers.
I get up and move to sit on the side of the bed. “I’m here, baby.” I take her hand in mine, bend, and softly kiss her cheek. “I’m not leaving. Go back to sleep.”
She smiles sleepily and closes her heavy eyelids once more.
I hold her hand as I stare at her beautiful face. She has the bluest black eye I’ve ever seen.
So many thoughts are running through my mind. So much hate and resentment. Feelings that I never thought I’d have for someone I once loved.
What was Helena looking for?
Tomorrow, we have to talk to the police, and a decision needs to be made as to what I want to do with this. I know what I want to do.
I picture my hand around Helena’s throat. Nothing would give me more pleasure than strangling that bitch.
If only…
April
The delicious aroma of bacon and eggs wakes me from my slumber.
I stretch and look around Sebastian’s bedroom. Jeez, what day is it?
I feel like I’ve been zonked out for a week.
I get up and go to the bathroom. As I’m washing my hands, I look in the mirror and cringe. My eye is closed, and it’s so bruised, it’s a deep blue. I gently pad the swollen, sore tissue around my eyebrow, and I wince in pain.
Hell, I did a good job of it, that’s for sure.
Damn it, I wish I caught that bitch and punched her square in the face.
How dare she come here?
I wash my face and try to open my eye but it throbs. Bloody hell, how do boxers do this for all the time? Black eyes are surprisingly painful. Even my eyeball is sore.
I tie my hair back, pull on Sebastian’s robe, and I make my way downstairs toward the kitchen.
I’m starving.
I find Sebastian in the kitchen. He’s stirring something in a frying pan, wearing navy pajama pants and a white T-shirt.
He looks up and gives me a breathtaking smile. “Here she is, Rocky Balboa.”
I smile as I make my way over to him. He takes me into his arms. “Clumsy Balboa, more like.” I peer into the frying pan to see an omelet. “That smells delicious.”
He kisses my forehead. “How are you feeling?”
“Good.” I shrug. “A little embarrassed, if I’m honest.”
“Why?”
“Because at the most crucial moment of all time, I fall over and clock my head. I should have caught her.”
“Are you sure you fell over?”
“Yes.”
His eyes hold mine, as if not believing me for a second. Wait, he doesn’t think…
“She wouldn’t beat me in a fight, you know.” I say as I put my hands on my hips.
He bites his bottom lip to hide his smile.
“I’m pretty tough, Sebastian.”
“I have no doubt.” He kisses me softly. “Never pictured you for a brawler, though.”
“Yeah, well, some people trigger me.”
He chuckles. “Hungry?”
“Starving.” I look at the clock on the wall and step out of his arms. “Shit, we’re late for work.”
“Not so fast.” He pulls out the stool at the kitchen counter and sits me down. “I’ve cancelled the trip away this week and we’re both working from home for a few days.” He puts two cups of coffee on the counter.
He never has a day off. “Why?”
“Because you look like the evil dead, and I’m playing nurse.” He passes me a fork.
I smile goofily as I take it from him. “Oh.” I take a bite of my omelet. “This is good. Thank you.”
He flicks the tea towel over his shoulder and watches me eat.
“Are you eating?” I ask.
“I ate two hours ago.”
“Oh.” I shovel another mouthful in. “So, what was she looking for?” I ask.
He twists his lips. “I have no idea.”
“She took something; I know she did.”
He pulls out the stool beside me and sits down. “Tell me exactly what happened… from the beginning.”
“I was upstairs, and I was drifting in and out of sleep. I rolled over to get my phone, and Bentley was on the floor beside me. He sat up with his ears pricked up, as though he heard something. Then I heard something. I thought you must have come home.” I shrug. “I walked out into the hallway and I saw the security screens. Someone was walking up the hallway, dressed in black with a balaclava on.”
“A balaclava?” He gasps.
“Yes, like full robber’s kit. I was freaking out. I called you and you didn’t answer. I kept watching the screen, and the person walked into your office.”