Page 31 of Power
Who would send me this?
I have absolutely no idea how to use a gun, apart from the fact that they are illegal in this country. What the fuck is going on? I know I can’t throw it in the bin, or even in a dumpster outside. It’s a dangerous weapon, for fuck’s sake. I lift the lid with the tip of my finger and glare at it again. There is a note underneath it.
Cunning. Whoever sent it wants me to move it to get to the note.
I rush to the kitchen and grab the salad tongs, shoving them into the box and clamping them around the note. I’m not putting my fingerprints on that thing for all the love in the world.
You might need this.
Dad.
“Okay, seriously, asshole, you need to fuck right off.”
With disgust, I drop the note on top of the gun and close the box. Picking it up, I carry it to the bedroom and shove it under the bed, for lack of anywhere else to put the damn thing. I will have to take it to the police at some point, but I don’t want them thinking I’m guilty of anything. Maybe it’s best to just keep it here.
Seeing the steam floating into the bedroom, I remember the shower and hurry off, needing to get my ass moving for work. This can be dealt with later.
* * *
Bang on time, and feeling less like something the cat dragged in, after the tablets kicked in, a hot shower, two pints of water, and some coffee, I head outside into the morning sun. Groaning, I reach into my bag for my sunglasses. I’m going to be bursting for a pee by the time I get to work after all that liquid, so I hope these trains are running on time today. I start walking, a small smile playing on my lips as my black ballet flats take the strides quickly. I’m so short in these, a mere five foot one, but for some reason, pleasing Finn by not wearing heels was in the front of my mind as I got dressed.
I glance at the sleek, navy blue Mercedes that pulls up to the curb next to me but dismiss it as no one I know.
“Bailey.”
I turn again as the window slides down, and Archer’s face appears.
“Get in.”
I hesitate. Whatever is going on with the two Jackson brothers and their too-calm friend is starting to worry me. I mean, they could get my address and phone number from HR, but even that is stalking.
“I’m okay,” I say and carry on walking.
“Be a good girl, Bailey, and get in the car.”
It stops me dead in my tracks, my heart pounding at his words. Why, oh, why did he have to say that? Now, I’ve turned into a sweaty pile of mush, and I’m going to get in the car. Not even the red flags that are waving in every direction is going to stop me.
Damn him.
Damn me.
Damn my need to hear praise coming from those sexy lips.
ChapterTwenty-One
Archer
I can see her hesitate,but my words are exactly what she wants to hear. She needs to hear them. She turns to face me and marches over to the car. I open the door and slide over.
She yanks it further open and gets in, slamming it shut. She places her big bag on her lap as if she needs it for protection.
“I don’t bite,” I murmur, turning to face her, my elbow leaning on the top of the back seat.
“I know. What are you doing here?”
“Checking on you. You hung up on me abruptly and didn’t answer when I called back.”
“Oh. I was sleeping.”
