Page 22 of Double Down
He levels me with a heated look. “It’s your little reports that started all of this.”
“I didn’t say anything,” I argue. “My reports to your father were?—”
“Detailed, clearly,” he scoffs and grabs the back of my neck, leading me through the suite to his room. “Lucky for you I need sleep, and since I clearly can't trust you to be out of my sight, you will be spending the night in my bed.”
“Fine,” I finally say, not letting him see anything but indifference.
In his room, I expect him to fall on me immediately, to take his anger and frustration out on my body the only way he knows how. He doesn’t.
Instead he turns his back on me and gets ready. I don’t bother pretending I’m not watching the way the muscles in his back flex as he strips off his T-shirt. I don’t even bother to look away as he leaves the door open and steps into the shower.
“Stop watching me and get some sleep, Phoenix.”
“I’m not?—”
“I wasn’t asking. Turn around and go to sleep, or I will add some fresh stripes to your already bruised ass.”
Conrad Masterson does many things…making idle treats is not one of them.
With a huff of annoyance, I strip down to just Storm’s T-shirt and my panties and wriggle beneath the comforter.
He’s right—I am tired. His mattress is the perfect fit, and I should be able to melt into it and fall asleep immediately.
But I can't.
I try to close my eyes. My body is heavy with fatigue, but my brain refuses to shut off. Every time I blink, the day rethreads itself—hallway, door, table…her bloodless lips.
Someone got in here and killed Sarah.
Are we safe?
What if they come back?
What did they do with Sarah's body? I didn't hear anyone leave.
So many questions—and so much guilt. Conrad said he wouldn't keep me in the dark anymore. I don't believe him. But that's okay. I'm not being honest, either.
The secrets are stacking like chips on a poker table.
Turning on my side, so my back is to the bathroom door, I swipe open the text thread that’s been haunting me.
One after another, the texts started coming in during the guys’ meeting with their parents. They didn’t see. No one noticed my reaction.
But I have a feeling it’s not going to be long before this is as impossible to hide as the Pedo and Baldy.
Unknown
I know what you did.
And after I left that little gift for you in the suite. Tsk. Tsk.
I had a lot invested in those men. They were well trained, and they all brought in a profit.
I'm going to add the expense to your tab, but I’ll be fair about it. After all, they weren't too valuable if they couldn't even take down some snotty little rich boys.
Let's say one million per man. Should be easy enough.
We’re not done, little girl. I’m going to get what’s owed to me.
