Page 19 of Layne Closure Ahead

Joey’s jaw clenched tightly as he approached the two of them, his size and build overshadowing Eric easily. He glanced down at Layne, his brown eyes set in a stony cold look. “I’m Miss O’Reilly’s personal security, asshole.”

An arrogant and judgmental scoff immediately came from Eric. “As you can see, she’s fine.” He leaned down and turned Layne’s head to face him as he slowly assaulted her mouth with his lips for a moment. “Isn’t that right?”

Images of snapping Eric’s neck flashed through Joey’s mind. “She’s had enough fun for the night.” He shoved himself between Layne and Eric.

A spark of anger rose in Eric’s eyes. “That’s not your call.”

Now, Joey was imagining all the other creative ways he could send Eric to the grave in the most spectacularly gruesome way. If he didn’t need Eric alive for his current job, he would have acted on his urges without hesitation.

Layne pushed up against the seat, underestimating just how woozy and uneasy on her feet she was. Her legs trembled underneath the weight of her body and caused her to stumble.

Joey’s strong hand immediately caught her by the upper arm, ensuring that she remained upright. The first flicker of emotion reached his eyes in a fiery glare at Eric. “The fuck it’s not. She’s done here.”

When her eyes finally found Joey’s, she recognized the indication that a dangerous shift in his demeanor was quickly approaching. It was not something that would easily be quelled if pushed too far.

Still being supported by Joey’s hold on her, she looked over at Eric. “It’s fine. He takes his job a little too seriously.” Her eyes tried to give an annoyed glare at Joey, but it fell flat when she didn’t have enough energy to expend on it.

Eric stepped around Joey to come around in front of Layne. His hand touched her cheek, paired with a smile filled with future promises. “Next time, we will pick up where we left off.” He leaned in to give her another kiss.

Before their lips made contact, Layne was pulled to the side as Joey’s hands guided her away with a gentle firmness. “C’mon, you have a busy day tomorrow.”

On her way toward the exit, Layne snagged her purse. The strength of Joey’s hold never faltered as he led her out, keeping her supported on her own two feet.

He shook his head at her, but it was his lack of words that was the loudest.

CHAPTER NINE

The ride home in Joey’s car was all a blur for Layne. She leaned on him as he walked her inside her house. After he got her upstairs into her bed, he took a seat in a chair in the corner of her room. Leaning over with his elbows on his knees, he buried his fingers in his dark blonde hair. A shaky breath escaped his lips as Layne lay there quietly breathing while she slept off the sedative mix she had ingested.

He dropped his hands down to hang between his legs as he lifted his gaze to watch Layne’s chest rise and fall. A grim darkness of realization slid across his pupils while he clenched his teeth together, and a series of thoughts plagued his mind and conscience.

The hours passed and soon the sun chased away the night. Joey was still seated in that very same chair. His jacket draped over the arm of it.

Layne was beginning to stir, her feet kicking at the sheets wrapped around her legs. When she cracked a look and caught sight of him, she slowly sat up. “Have you been sitting there all night?” Her hand rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

He looked at her and blatantly ignored her question. “What the fuck are you doing?” A simple and direct question.

It was a hell of a rude way to be spoken to when you were just waking up.

Layne popped up an eyebrow at his question, confusion shifted across her face. “Waking up on the wrong side of the bed apparently. Christ.”

He rose from the chair and came to stand at the foot of her bed. Joey reached into his pocket and pulled out her prescription bottle that had been in her purse. “What. The. Fuck. Are. You. Doing?” Each of his words punched out with a level of irritated sternness and demanded an answer from her.

Deep down, she knew what he was asking, but hell if she was going to make things personal between them. Layne was still set on trying to get him back out of her life as quickly as possible after their business together was over.

She scooted to the edge of the bed, stood, and reached out to take the bottle from his hand. He held it out of her reach.

“You went through my things?” She scowled at him. “You need to learn how to mind your own damn business.” She attempted to grab the bottle from him once more, unsuccessfully.

“Layne, I don’t know what the hell you are thinking, but this?” He shook the container, rattling the pills inside. “This ain’t going to fix it.”

“It seems to fix everything just fine.” She glared at him wondering what the hell he knew about what she needed fixed in her life. He had been God-knows-where for the past year, and now he wanted to act like he had a right to give his opinion on how she handled herself.

He then laid down a demand. “You’re going to stop with this bullshit. It’s not you.”

She outright lifted both brows before she laughed. “That’s hilarious coming from you. What would you know about me? A person can change a lot in a year. You’re just pissed because I’m not tripping over myself and landing on your dick.”

Suddenly, the prescription bottle went flying from his hand and crashed into the wall where it popped open and the pills scattered across her bedroom floor. Joey reached over, grabbed her by both of her arms, and pushed her up against the back of her closet door.

---