Page 37 of Justus
“I’msending you a picture. Commit it to memory and delete it. We have an agent onthe inside, a young woman who looks much younger than she is. You may run intoher at some point.”
“She’sposing as a sex slave?” Christ, she’s actually fucking guys to infiltrate them?
“Yes.”His curt response tells me he doesn’t like it either. “Check in tonight whenyou return home.”
“Gotit.” I hang up and flop onto the tiny sofa. Home. This fucking place isn’thome. Home is where Sadie is. God, I miss her. Staring at the burner phone inmy hand, I consider calling her. After a few moments, I toss it aside. What amI going to say? Hey, sorry you haven’t heard from me in over a week, and by theway, I have a date tonight?
Anotherbad thing about being Jackson is having too much time alone to think. When thisis all over, even if everything goes the way I hope, everything will change.I’ll have Hannah back, but in what condition? I have no idea what she’s beenthrough, but I know it has to be horrible.
She’llhave to be my main concern, getting her well, making sure she’s happy. I haveto make up for all the years I failed to protect her. How can I do that andmaintain a relationship with Sadie? If that were the only obstacle, I couldfind a way, but there’s so much more. I’m a murderer. Granted, the men I’vekilled deserved it, but somehow, I doubt that would make a difference.
Hannah,ISH, my ability to kill without a shred of remorse. What the hell made me thinkI could ever have a relationship with a woman? Sadie deserves better. I can’tcall her. Even when this is over, I have to let her go.
Eighto’clock approaches far too quickly, and before I know it, I’m headed to theJimson Motel. It feels like all eyes are on me as I make my way up to thefourth floor to room 413. Like everyone can see I’m some scumbag here to payfor sex. Logically, I know it’s because I’m too damn handsome, but still.
Ayoung woman with red hair so light it’s nearly pink answers the door. Ofcourse, they think I like redheads.
Aplastic smile is painted on her face. “Mr. Crowe, come in.”
Alarge burly man waits inside, his arms folded across his chest. “Don’t mindDak, he’s here to see to my safety. I’m Maya.”
“Nooffense, babe, but I’m not into threesomes or being watched.”
Laughing,she shakes her head. “After you pay him for my time, he’ll wait in the bardownstairs.” She approaches and runs her hand down my arm. “You’ll have me allto yourself.”
That’sa relief. “Here you go, bruiser,” I tell the guy, handing him the money. “Justdon’t eat me.”
“Neverheard that one before,” Dak grunts, and counts the money before leaving theroom.
Fortunately,there’s no adjoining room to worry about, so when I lock the hotel door, I knowit’s safe. When I turn around, the woman has stripped to her panties and bra.Fuck, Sadie would kill me if she knew. I know it’s over, but she doesn’t whichmakes this really wrong.
“Holdup, babe.”
“Oh,I’m sorry, would you like to undress me?”
“Erm…no.This is going to sound weird, but I don’t want to have sex with you. I mean, Ido, but…I can’t. I’m impotent!” I blurt. The guys would never let me live itdown if they knew I said that.
Shetilts her head. “So, what is it you want?”
“Company.”I shrug. “I just…didn’t want to be alone tonight.”
Awide smile spreads across her face. “That’s not as odd as you might think. I’mhappy to keep you company.”
Shesits at the table across from me. “I need one more thing. I don’t want yourboss to know this is why I hired you. It’s embarrassing. And …you know, if wehave fun, I could hire you again.”
Laughing,she gets up and slides her dress back on. “I won’t say anything. If he knew Igot off this easy, I’d have four more dates arranged tonight. Your secret’ssafe with me.”
Relieffloods though me. If she went back and told Bishop I didn’t fuck her, he’dnever trust me.
“So,what do you want to do?” she asks.
“AmericanNinja Warrior is on TV.”
Kickingoff her heels, she jumps on the bed. “Sounds good to me.”
* * * *
Thenext two weeks pass the same way. I go on two more dates, another with Maya,and one with another woman who is only too happy with the set up as well. Sofar so good.
