Page 44 of InfraRed

My fingers wrap tightly around the steering wheel as I weave through Manhattan traffic, making my way toward Sin Records. The knots in my stomach won’t loosen. This shit is going to eat away at my sanity. It already is, and it’s only been a few minutes.

I hit a snarl in traffic and decide I need to get in front of the problem. First, I call Will. I fill him in on what she said and ask him to do some digging with his contacts. Then I call my own, telling them to keep watch on her phone calls and texts. I don’t give a fuck if it’s illegal. I’m more concerned with Casey’s wellbeing than the legal system.

Traffic begins moving as I make my last call. The line rings twice before it’s answered. “You are lucky my foot isn’t shoved up yourfucking ass,” he growls.

“I don’t have time for your overprotective bullshit right now. I have a problem.”

“Before I decide if I will help you or not, did you fuck her?”

“Would you want to know if I did?”

He breathes deeply, a low rumble passing through the line. “No,” he grunts with a loud exhale. “You know I like you, Graham, but if you fucking hurt her, I will rip your asshole out through your throat.”

“Henry, if I hurt Casey, I’d let you. You know how I feel about her.”

“That’s why your asshole is still intact.”

“Do you want to fill me in on why your buddy is suddenly so determined for me to stay away?”

“No. You’ll have to ask Casey that. Now, why did you call?”

I flip my blinker, check my mirrors, and merge into the left lane, preparing to turn into the private parking for the office when a horn blares. Jerking the wheel back to the right, I barely miss being hit head-on by some asshole who used the southbound lane to pass. A slew of curses leave my mouth, and my blood pressure is right back where it began. This is not a good frame of mind for the office.

“Damn, it sounds like you’re having a rough morning.”

I turn into the building parking garage and make my way to the spot I like to use closest to the elevator. “You have no idea.” I don’t turn off the car. Instead, I lean back and fill him in on Krista’s threat.

“What made you finally put her out and without the kid.” He is suspicious. He’s probably working it out as we speak, but he wants confirmation I won’t give him. Not right now. When herealizes I’m not telling him, he continues. “That bitch needs to fucking fry, and it’s about time you came clean about saving your dad’s ass. She’s acted like a goddamn untouchable queen for too long. I’m assuming you’ve got people to watch her?”

“I do, but I want your guys on it, too. No expense spared.”

“Oh, I planned on it as soon as you told me what she said. I’ll make some phone calls myself.”

“Henry, I put Krista out. She’ll run straight to Casey, so I need to keep her out of her path.”

“That won’t be hard. Casey hasn’t spoken to her in months.”

“Maybe,” I hum, knowing that means nothing to Krista, and wondering how Henry doesn’t realize that. “I don’t want Casey to know I’m the one who’s been funding her life for the few years. Let her keep thinking Liam is doing it all or whatever. Krista will be quick to tell her if for no other reason than to create drama.”

“Why would you hide it now?”

I lift a shoulder even though he can’t see. “Just don’t say anything. I’ll tell her eventually, but not yet.”

“If that’s what you want, but she won’t care.”

That’s where he’s mistaken. She will care. The truth is, Casey she’ll misunderstand why I did it. She will see it as me fulfilling some imaginary role she thinks I have stepped in, but even before she flipped my world on its axis, it was never about obligation or playing a doting big brother. Not to mention, she doesn’t even want her own father helping her because it makes her feel like a burden, but I won’t tell him that.

“Thanks, Henry. I’ll let you know if my people find anything.”

“Yep. I’ll do the same. And I assume this is just between us?”

“Yes.”

I end the call and lean my head against the headrest. Hopefully,this day gets better because it couldn’t possibly get worse.

Casey

Ilove to dance. There’s not a form that doesn’t speak to me. It fills me with a sense of joy that I can’t find anywhere else. The way the music flows through my body, bleeding into my soul, pulling my limbs in delicate precision with movements that let me get lost—escape the agony and pain that grips my mind and heart.

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