Chapter 8

Laurie

Carlos’ hand clamps around the back of my neck as I watch my last hope leave the room.

When the door closes, it’s all I can do not to sob Parker left me here. Carlos’ grip tightens as he pulls me toward him.

His eyes narrow and all trace of the warmth he put on for Parker disappears.

I start to pull away, but he grabs my arm and squeezes hard. “You think I don’t know what you were doing? But it didn’t work, did it? He still brought you back.”

I swallow, body trembling as he glares at me with such malice, I shrink back. “He brought me back because you paid him to.”

He yanks me forward so I’m a breath away from him. “He brought you back because you confused him enough to doubt my word. Was it fun for you, Laurie? Spinning lies until he thought he meant something to you?”

My eyes widen as indignation crushes out the fear I’m feeling. “I didn’t lie to him.”

Too late I realize my error. He grips my chin and near hisses the words. “I know you didn’t. I could hear it in his voice when he called me.”

He shoves me back, leaving me paralyzed by fear at how sure he seems. “What did you tell him about our arrangement?”

I inwardly recoil but make sure I don’t show how terrified I am. “Nothing.”

Carlos nearly spits the words. “Don’t lie to me. I know all your tricks, and they no longer work on me.”

I twist my face into a glower. “Why did you make me dress like this?”

“He needed to see you for what you really are. A lying whore.”

Anger surges through me. “Then why go to all this trouble to bring me back?”

He shakes his head, a cruel smile growing on a face I once thought handsome. “We had a deal. It’s time to pay up. Nothing is going to change that.”

I grit my teeth. “What if I changed my mind?”

His gaze is icy. “Because of him?”

I can’t say that. If I do, Parker will be in even more danger. Danger I exposed him to. “Your note said I had the entire three months.”

He shakes his head. “Well, now you don’t.”

A shudder of dread runs through my body. The reminder of everything I was hiding from makes my hands start to tremble, and my stomach roil.

He steps closer and grips my chin. “I own you, Laurie. I pulled you out of the gutter and gave you a second chance. Don’t ever forget that again.”

His fingers pinch into me making me flinch. “This little vacation happened because I allowed it. Don’t think for a minute that I’ll let you leave again.”

I’m shaking so hard I can’t even speak. I can’t just let this happen to me. For two blissful months, I had a chance to see what my life could have been like, a chance to see what I could make of myself away from Carlos, away from this loose semblance of a life he permits.

Maybe if I hadn’t enjoyed the isolation so much, I’d be happy to be back here in the lap of luxury.

Maybe if Carlos hadn’t sent Parker, and had sent Amaya, I wouldn’t be standing here looking at the man I swore I’d kill if given the chance.

And if Parker has left me, and I can’t get away before Monday morning, killing Carlos will be my only option.

***

Parker

I should have known I’d not be able to get out of here. Amaya is waiting for me, watching me like a hawk about to tear her prey to shreds.

“I’ll be coming with you to the lookout,” she says.

I frown at her, and carry on walking down the hallway, passing photos of Carlos and a lot of prominent local businessmen and celebrities.

She doesn’t explain why, just pushes the elevator down button, I know there’s another layer to an already complicated mess.

But if Carlos is holding Laurie here against her will, Amaya may be just the person I need to find out why she agreed to come back to him.

“I don’t need an escort.”

She gives me a cool look. “And I don’t need an argument from you.”

To disarm her, and to avoid a showdown I smile. “How long have you worked for Carlos?”

We step into the elevator and she deigns to answer me. “Just over eight years.”

I nod and try to pretend this is a normal interaction. “And you handle his day to day personal security needs?”

She gives me a clipped nod. “I assign each member of the team their job. I rotate them so we don’t get too comfortable.”

“Makes sense. Stops complacency. Keeps the team sharp.”

A tiny smile appears but it’s forced. “It does.”

I keep any further comments to myself and switch the conversation back to Laurie. “Carlos said you were Laurie’s bodyguard. Why weren’t you the one to bring her home?”

Her chin lifts slightly and I’m sure she’ll tell me to fuck off, but she shrugs her narrow shoulders. “He needed me here. And maybe he thought this was the best use of you?”

A warning sparks but I ignore it and press her further. “I find that hard to believe.”

Her eyes shift to the doors as they open. “Why? Laurie’s been alone for two months. Sending you was a strategic move. You resemble Carlos, but you aren’t him.”

I nod, not sure I like where this is heading. “So, it was just some psychological shit?”

The tiniest flash of mocking appears as we walk towards my Jeep. “Who knows with Carlos.”

When I don’t say anything for the confusion I’m feeling, she leans her hip on my Jeep, a smirk growing as she looks me over. “You do know she’s a liar?”

I scowl at her. “Then how about you tell me the truth? Why is she here and why did he let her live in the mountains for two months?”

Her eyebrows rise and she looks around the empty parking garage. “If you want to stay in his employment, you need to quit asking so many questions.”

It’s a warning but I’m not going to heed it. I open my mouth to ask another, but she shakes her head. “Get in the car. You need to be back for the two pm check-in.”

Without waiting for my response, she climbs in the passenger side, leaving me with no choice but to climb in the driver’s side.

She’s silent as I switch the engine on and buckle my seat belt. As I leave the building, I’m collecting a dozen questions I doubt she’ll answer.

But I can’t quit now. Not while I’m so close to the truth. I don’t look at her as I drive back towards my apartment. “Why did Carlos need her back before Monday?”

She blows out a puff of air. “It wouldn’t have been much of a ceremony without her there.”

I nearly run the Jeep into the curb as I connect the dots. I swerve to the side of the road and narrowly avoid a rear-end collision.

I twist in my seat, heart thumping around in my chest as Amaya looks set to cuss me out.

I speak before she can. “What ceremony?”

She narrows her eyes and near growls the words at me. “Monday morning at ten am, Carlos and Laurie are getting married,” she says.