Page 73 of Wicked Truths

“We can take care of the disposal also.” Cobra waited for Nick’s response.

Nick weighed his words, then said, “Keep him on ice for a day.”

Cobra nodded, had a few words with Joker and the two men left the suite.

Izzy burst into the room in mama-bear mode, got Cheryl out of the wet robe and into dry clothes, then they whisked her to Nick’s penthouse where he had their doctor examine her and give her a sedative.

An hour later, Izzy and Nick sat at his kitchen counter. “I guess it’s wrong to feel happy that monster is dead.” Izzy added cream to the steamy cup of coffee in front of her.

“I only regret not taking the bastard out myself.” Nick poured a cup for himself then settled at the island separating his kitchen from the living room. “Although his final resting place will be fitting.”

Izzy looked over her shoulder then back at Nick. “She’s been through so much . . . I just don’t want to see her get hurt again.”

“You mean by me?”

“I don’t think it would be intentional, but I know you’ve hurt each other in the past.”

“Probably true, but I want a future with her and now there’s nothing standing in our way now.”

Izzy sipped at her coffee. “You still have to meet your daughter.”

“Still can’t believe I got a ten-year-old.” Nick huffed out a breath. “Freaking scary and exciting.”

“She’s a good kid. Cheryl’s done a great job with her.”

“From what I understand, you’ve been a huge help, too.”

Izzy smiled wide. “It’s been my pleasure.” She checked her watch. “I have to pick her up at school.”

“Do you think she suspects who I am?” Nick asked.

“Hard to say. She’s very intuitive. Cheryl’s told her she was divorcing Johnny, but I don’t know what she’s said about you.” Izzy pushed away from the table. “I have to get going.”

“You’re a good friend,” Nick said to Izzy’s back.

Cheryl woke in a semi-dark room and it took her a few minutes to realize she was in Nick’s penthouse again. Hereyes focused on a man’s shirt and a stray belt draped over a chair, random shoes by the bureau. This wasn’t the guest room, this was his bedroom. She struggled to a sitting position and the room dipped and swirled around her. She eased her head against the pillows and the dizziness subsided.

The door opened and the light from the hallway backlit Nick as he entered the room.

“How are you feeling?”

“Like I’ve slept for a week.”

“I had the doctor give you something to relax you.” He eased onto the edge of the bed. “You were a little out of it when we got here.”

A cold chill flashed through her as fragments of the grotesque scene in the Bellagio bathroom seeped into her brain. She squeezed her eyes closed to clear her thoughts, but the vision remained.

“I shot Johnny.” The need to say it out loud overwhelmed her. “It seemed so unreal. I kept telling myself it wasn’t really happening, but . . .”

He covered her hand with his. “Nothing I can say will make this better, but it never should’ve happened. That fuckin’ guy went nuts.”

“I can still feel his hand pushing my head under the water.” She touched her still damp hair. “I’ve never felt so helpless.”

“It’s all over.” Nick stroked her hand. “He can never hurt you again.”

“Because I killed him.”

25

---