Page 73 of The Cleaner

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation I never wanted to have. "Remember when we met, you knew about me?" I ask and he nods, his brow furrowed. "Did you happen to see who my dad was dating?”

Travis' brows deepen as he frowns harder. “No, I didn’t delve too deeply. Why?”

“Tanya Jennings was the woman my dad cheated on my ma with,” I tell him and then launch into the whole sordid details I’ve hidden for so fucking long. I’ve been chained by the shame I felt when I tried to take my own life, but the truth is, I was a child, one who was lost and needed direction. Instead of getting what I needed, I ended up being abandoned by my father and left to deal with that whore of a girlfriend of his. I did nothing wrong. I know that now.

“Fuck,” Travis growls. “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me?”

I lift my shoulders and shrug. “That was a time in my life that was painful. I felt shame and alone. I don’t like anyone seeing me vulnerable, Travis.”

Travis' eyes soften with understanding. He reaches out and squeezes my hand. "I get it, Lisa. But you're not alone anymore. We're family now, and we'll get through this together."

Since the moment I met him, he’s always treated me like a daughter. He’s always looked out for me and showed that he cares. He lost his oldest daughter to a drug overdose years ago. He’s a man who protects those he considers family.

I give him an apologetic smile. "I know. It’s hard sometimes. I’m trying,” I promise him and take a deep breath. “So, what do we do now? If Tanya's behind this..."

"It changes things," Travis admits, his jaw clenching. "She's dangerous, Lisa. More ruthless than her old man ever was. If she's got Maverick..."

He doesn't finish the sentence, but he doesn't need to. I can see the concern etched on his face. My heart races as I imagine what Tanya might be doing to Maverick right now.

“If she’s got Maverick then I’m going to get him back.” There are no ifs, buts, or maybes. I love him and I’m not going to let that bitch hurt him.

Travis raises an eyebrow. "I never thought I’d see the day that you’d fall in love. I’m happy for you, Lisa. Really, I am.Maverick may be a little...” he pauses, a smile playing on his lips, “irrational at times, but he’s a good man. I couldn’t pick someone better for you. In fact, when I first met you and was looking for a mentor for you, he was—” He’s cut off by the sound of his phone ringing. “It’s Lis,” he says as he answers it.

As he speaks to his daughter, I feel my nerves building up and begin to pace back and forth. My heart is pounding in my chest as I pray that she has found something, anything. We are running out of time. All I want is to find the man I love. Every second that passes feels like an eternity as I anxiously await any news.

“She’s sending you a video,” Travis says thickly, his phone pressed to his ear. “Did you get it? This was taken two hours ago.”

I reach for my phone from the counter and see that I do in fact have a message from her. I hit play on the video and my heart plummets. It’s of a car pulling up outside a house that I know all too well. My hand trembles as I see the woman who has haunted my dreams for years step out of the white car.

My mind whirls, and the only thing I can think of is Maverick and what that evil bitch is doing to him. I drop my phone to the ground as I spin on my heel and run out of the house, grabbing the keys from the hook beside the door as I do.

"Lisa!" Travis shouts after me, but I'm already out the door and racing toward my car.

My hands shake as I fumble with the keys, finally managing to unlock the door and slide into the driver's seat. The engine roars to life as I turn the key.

"Lisa, wait! You can't go alone!" Travis yells.

I pull out of the driveway, tyres screeching against the pavement. I can see Travis in my rear-view mirror. He’s rushing to his own car, and I know he'll be right on my tail. He’s right. Iknow I shouldn't be doing this alone, but I can't wait. Not when Maverick's life is at stake.

It takes me twenty minutes to make it through the city. Thankfully, the traffic isn’t as bad as it could be. My knuckles turn white as I grip the steering wheel and turn onto the street that holds some of my worst fears. Right now, I’m more focused on saving the man I love.

I pull up outside the house and fight off the onslaught of memories that threaten to pull me down. I quietly walk up to the front door, glad that it’s slightly ajar. The stupid bitch really should have locked up. I slip inside, my heart pounding wildly. The house is eerily quiet, but I can hear muffled voices coming from the sitting room. Carefully, I make my way to the door.

"You think you're so clever, don't you? This house was the house where Lisa tried to take her own life. It’s fitting really," Tanya sneers. Her voice hasn't changed over the years. She’s still a whiny bitch. "You know, Maverick, I almost admire your dedication. Killing for the woman you love... It's almost romantic. Stupid, but romantic."

"Fuck you. You don't know the first thing about love," Maverick growls, and my knees almost buckle at hearing his voice. God, he’s alive.

Tanya laughs, a harsh, brittle sound. "Oh please. Love is for the weak. Power, money, respect, that's what really matters in this world.”

“That’s ‘cause no one would ever love your psycho ass. You’re a toxic bitch, Tanya, and the only way you can get someone to even stay with you is by manipulation.”

"Is that so? Then tell me, Maverick, where is your precious Lisa now? Does she know what you've done? Does she still love you after learning what a monster you really are? Oh, this is priceless. I'm sure she just loves the idea of her man killing herdad. What will she do? Hmm? Cry to Mammy? Oh wait, she can’t; she’s dead too.”

She’s a twisted motherfucker. Sick and twisted.

“You’re a fucking bitch," Maverick snarls. "I’m going to enjoy killing you, and when I’m done, I’m going after your dad and mam."

“Not going to happen,” she laughs. “But don’t worry, Maverick, once I’m finished with you, I’ll be sure to let Lisa know just how much you loved her. That’s, of course, right before I kill her. It’s been a while since I last saw her. I wonder if she’s still crazy?”

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