Page 48 of Vail

Albert and Oleander exited the SUV while the three of us stayed within.

“There’s no rush to go inside,” Jordan said.

“We didn’t have Albert drive this far for me to not at least destroy something.”

“We’re here for whatever you need,” Hartley said.

“I appreciate it. You two being with me gives me the strength to move forward. For so long I was trapped in my head, not sure where I could go or who I could trust. But once I got away, everything became clearer. I built a life for myself away from him. And now I have you two. I might cry in there and scream, but please know I love you very much and there’s no one else I’d rather be with.”

“Take your time and do as much damage as you want,” Jordan said.

Raiden and Oleander went toward the house first. I told them where to find the key. It was hidden beneath a heavy, fake potted plant. Gil had tried to give the key to me many times so I could come here without him. When I refused the key, he said he’d leave it outside. I told him it was because I didn’t want to be here when he wasn’t. The truth was, I didn’t want to be here at all. If I told him that, it wouldn’t have been good.

We watched as Raiden went inside with his gun drawn, Oleander behind him. Gil was a lot of things, but I doubted he laid a trap inside to hurt whoever went in first. That wasn’t his style. He was more of the inflict pain when the other least expected it type of person.

Raiden was the first to return to us. Jordan got out, Hartley and I sliding out as well.

“I’m not sure if you want to go in there,” Raiden said.

Jordan’s tone was hard. “Why not?”

“There was no threat that we saw, but there are notes.”

“Notes?”

He nodded, his eyes finding mine. “For Vail.”

Jordan’s hand squeezed mine while his other fisted. “I want him dead. I can’t do it, but for fuck’s sake, can’t he be struck by lightning or run over by a fucking bus already?”

“I want to see them,” I said. “If I don’t go in there, he wins. If I keep letting him get to me and rule my life, he wins. I’m tired of it. Tired of feeling this way and being afraid. I just want to move on.”

“I could kill him.”

I offered Jordan a sad smile.

“Only if there is another life on the line.” He remembered our conversation.

I nodded.

A sigh left him. “Fine, but can I at least help you tear this place down?”

“In a suit?”

“I didn’t wear a good one.”

“I can help too,” Hartley added. “I’ve always wanted to swing an ax.”

“We brought an ax?” I asked.

Jordan nodded. “Always be prepared.”

“If you both would like to assist me in purging the cabin from my memories, I welcome it,” I told them.

Together, we walked to the cabin. Raiden and Oleander were in front of us. Rory went around back to keep watch. Sheldon drifted off into the woods to make sure there was nothing there. I didn’t see cameras on the home or anything to let me know Gil had outfitted the place. That didn’t mean some weren’t hidden, but again, that wasn’t his style. There wasn’t even an internet hook up. He made me leave my phone in the car. All we had was a landline here, although that could have changed.

The inside was just how I remembered it. Soft earthy tones along with the scent of pine. Not the fake kind, but natural and crisp.

I saw the first note when I was three steps in. It was a yellow sticky note on a mirror over the side table near the entrance.

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