Page 8 of Love Bleeds Red
She leaves me to it, and I shut and lock the door behind her. Time to figure out how I’m going to fit everything on this small desk. Three laptops, external drives, various cables, and the specialized equipment I’ll need. This isn’t everything, most of it is still in New York, but I’ll make do.
Within twenty minutes, my childhood desk has transformed into a command center that young Leon would marvel at. At least Alfred’s money has gone to a good cause.
I power everything up and connect to a secure network, routing my connection through multiple layers of protection. The last thing I need is someone tracking my activities back here. The phone I snagged off that creep sits heavy in my pocket.
I pull it out and tap it open, finding nothing useful in his messages, just photos of that girl. Most likely, his business was done over the phone. Smart, I guess, but disappointing for me.
No names. No mention of who he works for. Certainly nothing about Bailey.
I connect it to my laptop and check it for anything hidden, but come up empty. Fucking wonderful. Even so, I copy everything to my secured drive before wiping it and removing the SIM card and battery. I’ll dispose of each part separately later.
A moment goes by where I wonder if I’ve genuinely gone mad. Was I seeing things that weren’t truly there earlier? Did I want that man to be a criminal, trafficking that woman? Or is that all I can see anymore after everything?
A knock at my door pulls me from my thoughts. “Dinner’s nearly ready, love.”
“Okay, be down in a minute,” I say, pocketing the pieces of the man’s phone and grabbing my burner phone I’d been charging. With a hopeful sigh, I message my old friend.
Me: Cruz, it’s Leon. I’m back in London. Need to meet. Urgent.
He responds within seconds.
Cruz: Holy shit Colter… I thought you’d never set foot on this soil again. Usual spot? 11?
I glance at the time. That gives me a few hours to have dinner with Mum and get prepared.
Me: I’ll be there. Bring whatever you’ve got on trafficking activity. Paying well.
Cruz: Fuck, do I want to ask?
I think of Ray and his guys and that heaviness settles in my gut again.
Me: The least you know the better.
Cruz: Alright then. Just a warning mate, streets aren’t like before. Some heavy shit happening. Be careful.
Me: Thanks. Keep your head down as well, and make sure you’re not followed.
I slip the phone into my pocket and roll my lip ring between my teeth. Time to get through dinner with Mum. Make small talk, tell her just enough to satisfy her curiosity, then see what I’ve missed the past three years.
BAILEY - MAY 30TH
I don’t know if Leon sleeps. I woke up last night around two. There was a thunderstorm, it literally shook the house. I tossed and turned for like an hour, until I finally decided to get up and bake some banana bread for everyone to have for breakfast.
I don’t know if it’s stress or this restless energy that I can’t quite tamp down, even though I’ve been going to the gym more than normal. Reading used to calm me down too, but lately even rereading all my favs isn’t helping. But, I guess I’m worried about starting classes in the fall. How Mom and Dad will take care of themselves without me here. Don’t get me wrong, they’re amazing and I know I’m lucky to have them. So many of my friends growing up had parents who were a hot mess. They’re just kind of like too nice, maybe? Or they work too hard? I don’t know, I’m just worried they won’t remember to turn off the burner, orchange the batteries in the smoke alarms, or even simple things like taking their vitamins.
I’m rambling now. Back to the banana bread. So I got up, went to the kitchen and Leon was there sitting at the table in the dark, besides the light from his laptop. He scared the shit out of me. I think I scared him too because he jumped when I gasped and we both ended up awkwardly laughing and staring at each other. I was in my cat pajama shorts, so that was fun. It’s whatever. He’s been here for a few days now so I’m sure he’s spotted me looking way worse.
Okay, so the staring got intense! I think butterflies were literally doing circus moves in my stomach. I asked what he was doing up so late and he shrugged, saying he was programming something. I told him I was going to bake and he said he didn’t want to bother me, to which I was like no, you’re fine! But he got up, because of course, he didn’t want to hang out with me at 2 AM. BUT, I was wrong!
He opened up the pantry door and started to grab ingredients!
I mean, he probably just felt bad leaving me alone in the kitchen, but still…
We baked together and I don’t know… it was really nice. Talking to him feels natural, even though I’m nervous and awkward. He kind of is too, which is so funny to me. But by thetime we took the loaf out of the oven, he was joking with me more and he’s funny in a quirky way.
I need to get ready for work, I’m closing tonight. Lucky me.
But I told Leon he should come by and I’ll snag him some free food. Whatever he wants, as long as he doesn’t share that info with my brothers because I think I’d get fired if they asked for freebies. Jasper eats more than three grown men.
