Page 21 of Twisted Revelations

11

Laura

When my eyes snapped open, I found my feet resting across Beverly’s warm lap. Her face was crinkled into a deep frown as she stared at her phone. I pulled my earbuds, reluctant to let go of H.E.R whispering in my ears.

Rapid key strokes led my eyes to D facing his laptop and working like he was getting paid.

“Was he there all night?” I asked Beverly. “Where is the other one? Did you sleep any?”

Beverly was a night owl and worried like she was the world’s mother. I could sleep through a train wreck and wake up wondering where I’d lost my missing limbs.

“The guys switched out. D went to take a nap and just returned. They are going at it hard, cracking some codes. So far, they are sure it has something to do with the group’s money laundering activities. Also, they said they won’t leave us until they are sure of our safety,” she stated as a smile spread across her face.

“What are you smiling about?” I questioned before glancing at my cheap plastic watch. It was after eight, so I’d gotten a few hours of sleep.

“Don’t you think it’s sweet? They won’t leave us to fight this group alone. They are taking their jobs seriously, too.”

“Yes, they’re very sweet,” I muttered, my tone so sarcastic it turned Beverly’s joyful smile into a frown.

“I’m pretty sure they kill people for a living, Bev, therefore I do believe we might be doing them a favor,” I pointed out, being my usual grumpy self.

“Laura,” Beverly called in a whisper as she eyed D’s back, hoping he hadn’t overheard my comment. I fell back on the couch, stretching my fatigued body.

“Laura,” Beverly sang my name again low and syrupy. It was the sugary voice she used when she wanted to butter me up for a favor or tell me something she knew I didn’t want to hear. I popped back up, eyeing her with suspicion.

“I went to Kadeem for help when I didn’t know how to find you. As soon as I knew you were safe, I let him know,” she updated, shifting her gaze away from mine. My hand cupped my forehead as I squeezed my throbbing temples. I stared at her, not blinking.

“Even though I let him know you were okay,” she continued. “He still wants to see you, and you know he has a way of finding out about everything. He knew that someone was helping us without me telling him. He wants you to bring one of the guys with you today.”

“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath. The last thing we needed was Kadeem tangled up with this cartel. He probably had Mexicans lined up in front of his blood-thirsty men in some type of hood-like firing squad.

“I’m sorry, Laura, but I didn’t know who else to turn to because the cops aren’t going to help us.”

I cupped her warm hand, folding it between mine. “You did good, Bev. You used the resources you had and did what it took to find me. I appreciate you for that. I’ll go and see Kadeem later and take Dax with me. My feelings would be less hurt if Kadeem killed him over D.”

Beverly’s hand came down on my thigh with a hard slap. “You should be ashamed of yourself for saying something like that.”

My laugh sounded and she failed to hide hers, knowing it was normal for me to be a sarcastic asshole.

Another hour of D going at that computer was about all I could take. Bev had finally fallen asleep, her head lying across my lap.

I’d tiptoed to the back of the suite and found Dax asleep in the torture room. We’d managed to get it back to normal after all the bloody hell we’d caused.

My constant hovering at D’s shoulder caused him to pull me up a chair as Beverly slept on the couch. I’d sat and allowed him to blow my mind and when I could take no more, I shuffled back to the couch.

“Beverly,” I woke her so we could shower and get something to eat at the restaurant downstairs. D was certain we’d be fine as long as we didn’t leave the security of the hotel.

Beverly rose, glancing at her surroundings before she sat up. Next thing I knew she was hugging me and planting a kiss on my cheek. That was Beverly all day, the loving one. After returning her hug, I patted her arm before suggesting again that we get cleaned up. My gaze shot to the door that led down the hall to the second bedroom before I approached D.

“We are going to get cleaned up and go downstairs for something to eat. Do you want anything?” I asked him, attempting to exhibit gratitude since he was partially the reason I continued to draw breath.

“No. I’ll go later or call in room service, but thanks,” he replied with a gracious smile. He turned back to the computer screen before his fingers went back to work.

Beverly

While Laura showered, I was stuck in the room with D. He didn’t hide his interest in me, and it was hard for me to hide mine in him. However, I was afraid of what a man like him could do to me.

He was impressively good-looking and scary smart on that computer. He appeared the kind of man you fell all over yourself for while waiting for him to rip your heart out when he was ready to move on. I didn’t need it confirmed to know he’d left a trail of hearts in his wake, and I was determined not to be one of them.

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