Page 2 of Shattered
“It is exactly what it sounds like, my sweet. Just like my late wives. You have to know when to quit, otherwise, you’ll end up killing yourself. Take this as a lesson; let it be my gift to you.” Those warning chimes were clanging now, fighting for my attention. “Once I’ve acquired my business from that scoundrel once again,” Aldrich continued, “I will see to it that you’re paid accordingly. I will pay a significant portion of your debts to Dahlia. After all, you did keep one end of the bargain, humiliating that stupid whore. But I won’t have another leech of a wife suck me dry.”
That stupid whore was Haley. I may not have liked working at the Dahlia District, but my fellow servers were the sisters I never had. I couldn’t let one of them be hurt.She’s dug her own grave. Let her die in it.
“What do you mean, just like your late wives?” I said. I needed as much information as possible to warn Haley. “What does Haley have to do with them?”
A knock sounded on the front door, coming to us like a distant echo. Aldrich pulled his phone from his robe’s pocket and checked the security footage. I looked over his shoulder, but he pulled away, then shoved the device in his pocket.
“Stay here,” he said. “Don’t move. This conversation will end quickly. We’ll finish up our session afterward.”
He closed the door behind him and his loud footsteps clamored through the house. I glanced at the clock hanging on the wall; it was late. Who needed to talk at this hour? I slowly turned the doorknob, banking on the fact that he was far enough away that he wouldn’t hear it. I left the latch resting against the frame, waiting for the right moment to eavesdrop. Then I poured myself another glass of champagne and tried to figure out what it all meant.
If Aldrich didn’t want a wife, then I would still be indebted to an entertainment club for billionaires, where I worked my ass off and rarely saw a cent. And my mother’s life would be in danger if I tried to leave before I paid back my debt. I hadn’t spoken to her in years, and yet I still couldn’t fathom the idea of something happening to her.
But the part that stood out to me the most was Haley. I would have to warn her to stay away from Aldrich, to constantly be on guard. My dreams were shot, but if nothing else, I could use tonight to figure out how to help Haley. I could even try to persuade Aldrich not to do anything to her.
Muffled voices. A woman’s and Aldrich’s. It must have been important if he let her inside. I eased the door open, but I still couldn’t hear any words. Not wanting to reveal myself, I stayed in the bedroom but left the door slightly ajar. I resumed pacing.
A loud bang echoed to the bedroom. The clatter of a metal object fell to the ground. I pushed open the door, peaking through. It was Haley, her dark brown hair tucked into a bun. She stepped back, her eyes focused on Aldrich. Neither of them saw me watching from the master bedroom in the corner.
“I didn’t think you had it in you,” Aldrich said.
“Leave my sister alone,” Haley shouted as she stepped back. He had her cornered against the wall. “That’s all I want. Think about the years we were nice to each other.”
Aldrich threw his head back, laughing like a man on the edge of insanity. There was only so much a person could take, and with all that Aldrich had lost in the last week, I didn’t doubt that he was bordering madness. She tried to dart around him, but he pushed her, knocking her down to the ground, then stepped on her back, using his weight to hold her there. Then he raised the knife.
That sound must have been a gunshot. Haley must have tried to shoot him. Where was the gun?
I stepped forward, careful not to alert them to my presence. I scanned the floor, looking for the gun. The knife was on Haley’s throat now. I had to move fast. I couldn’t let anything happen to Haley.
“I knew your mother. That stupid cunt,” Aldrich said to Haley. “That fucking whore worshipped me just so that she could pay a portion of her debts. I don’t usually associate with used up cunts like that, but she was so pathetic. I was doing her a service.”
He pulled down his pants, readying himself.
“You’re a monster,” Haley cried.
The gun was by the couch. I grabbed it. I hadn’t shot a gun in years, but I lined up and aimed at Aldrich. I was so close.
But could I take a life?Hislife?
“When she wouldn’t get rid of the kid, I got rid of them myself. I couldn’t have it affecting my marriage with Bella, now, could I?” Aldrich fisted Haley’s breast and Haley sobbed. His cock was in his other hand, ready to penetrate. “And then I saw how easy it was to get away with. You’re pathetic. Just like your mother.”
There was no question in my mind anymore, only commands.
Aim carefully. Aldrich only.
I pulled the trigger. The recoil shook my shoulders, shuddering through my body. Aldrich held the side of his face. Blood oozed from what was left of his ear.
He turned over his shoulder. I aimed again. I couldn’t miss this time.
“What the—”
But before he could finish, I pulled the trigger again, shooting him in the head. He collapsed, his dead weight falling on Haley. I stayed there for a moment, keeping the gun trained on him, positive that he would reanimate at any second.
Then I stepped forward, not letting my eyes leave him.
“Mel,” Haley breathed.
I kept the gun on Aldrich. “He’s dead?” I asked.
