Page 123 of The Wicked

And as usual, Blue’s mind was racing ahead. “Did you know Deck’s out of town? I wanted him to fix the railing on my stairs, but he said he wouldn’t be back until later this week.”

Brooke’s mouth formed a perfect O. “So you think…?”

The bartender returned with a bottle. “Ms. Baldwin-Forlani?”

I hadn’t realised he knew my name. “Yes?”

“The boss says this is on the house.”

“What? Why?”

“He didn’t give any details, ma’am.”

Blue dug an elbow into my side. “You mean Nico? We should thank him in person. Is he here?”

“He’s unavailable right now, but I’ll be sure to pass on your appreciation. How many glasses do you need? Four? Are those gentlemen with you?”

I spun to see Garrett approaching with Lewis trailing behind, and Garrett’s concerned expression said he’d seen the news. He took his place by my side and kissed my forehead.

“You okay?”

“Today, I’m better than okay.” I turned back to the bartender. “Seven glasses. We’ll need seven glasses.”

* * *

I thought it was over.

I thought I was safe.

The Bad Samaritan had done my dirty work, but I should have known there’d be a catch. A price. I found out what it was when Garrett and I arrived at our little house by the sea and found an envelope on the kitchen table. We’d installed an alarm system. Garrett had insisted on it. But all the defences in the world meant nothing to the Bad Samaritan; I knew that far too well.

Lewis had come back with us—he was working on a research project for his boss, something to do with precious stones, and he needed to be near Coos Bay. We’d barely notice he was there, he’d promised. Unlikely.

“Is this yours?” Garrett asked him. They must have swung by the house earlier because Lewis had left his suitcase in the hallway.

“Is what mine?”

“This envelope.”

There was no name on the front, just a smiley face. My chest seized. Even before Garrett opened it, I knew who had been in our house. Ourhome. The doodle matched the note in Aaron’s safe.

Lewis shook his head. “No, it’s not mine. Is everything okay?”

Garrett forced a smile, and I knew it took an effort because every other part of him was tense. “Yeah, it’s fine. Probably a note from the builder.”

“Give it to me,” I said. “I’ll open it.”

The message was for me. It was my problem the Bad Samaritan had solved. My life he’d fixed. I slid out a single sheet of paper and read the single verse written in now-familiar handwriting.

I’VE BANISHED YOUR DEMONS

AND YOUR FUTURE IS BRIGHT

BUT ADDY’S STILL HURTING

YOU CAN HELP TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT

That was it? That was the price? The breath I’d been holding rushed out of me in awhooshbecause that really wasn’t much of a cost at all. Of course I’d help Addy, and maybe I knew how to do it? She’d been working as a PA-slash-accounting assistant, and I’d need help to get SBF Events established. I already had one employee—Nico’s girlfriend had a background in events and entertainment, and she’d offered to help out part-time. If Addy was interested, I could create a role for her.

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