Page 11 of Sinful Lies
I glance at the clock beside the bed and roll my eyes, “We have plenty of time, calm your balls down.”
“Don’t start with me tonight, Dia. Put on a fucking dress and get your pretty ass in the car.” Tonight’s event is important for Ben, not because he gives a damn about raising money to preserve our historic landmarks, but because it’s his opportunity to get close to the Deputy Commissioner. Ben needs him in his pocket to cut through the red tape holding up his partner, Mikhail Vladimir’s cargo in customs. The shipment was due in Russia weeks ago and Vladimir has made it clear it needs to be resolved fast. Ben has money at his fingertips which gives him power and influence over almost everyone in this town, but it’s cost him a lot of money into making the Deputy Commissioner look dirty enough he can’t say no. Ben needs to pull this off to ensure there are no more delays with future shipments or he’s in for a world of hurt.
“Fine. I’ll be down in five minutes.” I disconnect the call and toss my phone into the clutch.
The mattress dips slightly when I sit on the edge of the bed and slip into a pair of leather boots. I grin as I pull the zipper up over my ankle. No one will see them under my dress, but they make me feel as dangerous as the thoughts running wild through my head. Thoughts of Reed.
Ben lies on the horn, blaring out his warning. I grab the clutch and a wrap, swinging it around my shoulders before heading out to the car. I don’t want him to notice what I’m wearing until it’s too late to change. I climb into the passenger seat of Ben’s Aston Martin. He doesn’t even look in my direction. He purses his lips tight and strums his fingers on the steering wheel.
“Why are you in such a hurry?”
“I need to make a stop and because of you, I’m going to be late. I should have left your ass here,” Ben barks.
“Fine with me, I’m in no mood to deal with you.” I reach for the car handle. “Why don’t you take the whore you stink of and leave me alone?” Before I can open the door, Ben clicks the locks, trapping me inside and throws the car into drive.
“If you know what’s good for you, sweetheart, sit back and shut up.”
I’d leave Ben once and for all if I thought he would let me go and not turn Reed in. The one time I tried to leave him, Ben caught me in the driveway, loading my suitcase into the car. He dragged me back into the house by my hair and threatened Reed’s life. He caused such a scene the neighbors called the police. When the police arrived, Ben was about to make good on his threat until I caved and promised to stay. The guy is an asshole and means what he says, so I learned to suck it up and deal with my situation, although I never promised to make it easy.
Ben and I drive through the suburbs of Reddington Hill towards Philadelphia in complete silence. I spent half my life in this town despite the plans Reed and I had to leave it. I know it like the back of my hand. Every corner holds memories of Reed. We pass by the High School on Eighth and Vine. Reed and I spent more time cutting classes than attending them. Reed was always getting suspended for smoking or fighting. Even back then, they labeled him as trouble. My parents couldn’t stand the rumble of his motorcycle or his lack of respect for authority. Reed believed the world could teach us more useful lessons than the hypocrites that insisted we spend our days in factious institutions disguised as schools. He didn’t count on how evil the world really was.
For the most part, those memories calm me, but not tonight. Not since Reed called. Now those memories haunt me, snaking their way from my heart to my head. Filling my mind with anxiety and regret. My life would be so different now if I made Reed take me with him. I always thought he’d come back for me, but he never did. I pushed those memories down as far as I could so they couldn’t hurt me, but I never stopped thinking about him.
The slowing of the car pulls me from my thoughts.
“What are we doing here?” I question Ben as he parks at the end of a narrow road along the side and old abandoned building just off the highway. Its foundation is cracked and crumbling. Weeds have overtaken the gray walls. It looks like a place you’d lurer someone to their death.
“None of your business. Just stay in the car,” Ben orders.
“You drive us into a sketchy neighborhood in a hundred-thousand-dollar car and it’s not my business?” I eye Ben suspiciously as he reaches into the back seat for a briefcase and steps out of the car.
“When are you going to learn to do what you 're told?” He slams the door closed and hits the remote to lock the doors. As he passes by the front windshield, I notice the steel barrel of a revolver tucked into the band of his suit. My senses go on high alert as a wave of anxiety fills me. I know Ben was into some shady shit, but I’ve never witnessed it firsthand. My heart thuds against my chest when a large man steps out of the shadows and takes the briefcase from Ben’s trembling hands. I shift in my seat, trying to hear them, but with the windows rolled up, I don’t hear a sound. Ben takes an envelope from the man and slides it inside his jacket. The exchange only lasts a few moments, and the man slips back into the shadows. Ben returns to the car and lowers himself back into the driver’s seat.
“What the hell was that?” I slap his arm with the flat of my hand so hard my palm stings. “And don’t tell me it’s none of my business. You made it my business when you brought me here.”
Ben turns to face me. His eyes are so dark they look black, and a sardonic grin crosses his face. “Keep pushing me, Dia, and I’ll show you.” His hand circles my throat. I claw at the back of his hand as he squeezes. I can feel my lungs struggling for air. “I can promise you’ll regret it though.”
Ben drops his hand and I slink back into my seat, panic retching at my gut. Ben is right, I’m better off not knowing the details of his corruption. I learned the night Reed left town how evil the men in this city can be. Ben’s hands are just as dirty.
