Consumed (6 page)

Victoria

“I’m pregnant!’ Nicole blurts out at dinner.

Mom and Sadie cover their mouths and squeal at the same time. My lower jaw is hanging open.

Nicole is grinning as a few tears drip onto her cheeks. Mom is sitting next to her and brushes away the tears on one side.

I think those are happy tears. My self-absorbed sister is looking forward to caring for another human being. I’m shocked.

“Wow, congratulations. What does Katsu think about it?” Katsu is my brother-in-law. He’s Japanese but was born and raised in Nevada.

“He’s thrilled. This wasn’t an accident, Vic. I thought you would be happier for me.”

“I am happy. I’m also surprised. You’ve never mentioned wanting kids.”

“I have too mentioned it. You and I just don’t spend enough time together to discuss it.”

My eyebrows scrunch as I wince from her remark. She’s right. I tend to avoid my family. I’m not as girly as Nicole and my mom, and Sadie is super smart, so I tend to feel inadequate around them for various reasons.

Reaching across the table, I squeeze Nicole’s hand.

“I’m going to be an aunt.” I give her the smile I know she needs, but inside I’m shaken from all the changes in my world in a short span of time.

After dinner, we get our manicures, something I’m beginning to love. Mom and Nicole ask about Adrian, and I tell them the innocent parts of my date from last night.

They can’t stop with their probing, asking about marriage and babies, so Sadie comes to the rescue, making them back off.

Adrian is the first man I could imagine myself marrying or having a family with, but to think about those life changes is something else that triggers a flight response from me.

After we leave the salon, Sadie drops off Mom, and then she and I go inside Nicole’s to hug Katsu and congratulate him on the baby news. Shocking headline is more like it. We soon begin our ride home in my sis’s old Ford Focus.

“So, how is school and work going?” I ask.

“School is stressful, but I’m doing well. Professor Edward has piled the research on me, but it barely pays shit, so I’m going to have to get another job.” My sister assists a professor on campus and is paid with grant money he receives.

“Uh, why are you helping him then?” I ask.

“I guess because he’s so close to making some major scientific breakthroughs. He needs me and doesn’t get much funding on his projects.”

“Oh, my god, you slept with him.”

“No, I didn’t,” she says loudly after whipping her head my way. “He’s my teacher.” Her tone is one of disapproval for even suggesting such a thing.

“That doesn’t stop everyone.”

“I’ve gone on some dates with a guy in one of my classes. Robert is his name. He’s smart and confident, but he’s all about himself. All the men I’m around seem to only want their needs met, if you know what I mean. Is that normal?”

My sister’s engine begins to cut out, so she pulls off to the side of the road. It dies right when she comes to a stop.

“Oh, no. I can’t afford to have my car repaired right now,” she whines before slamming her palm down onto the steering wheel.

Sadie has always been fiercely independent like me. She moved out at eighteen, surviving on little. “It’s dark, and this isn’t the safest road.”

“Thanks, sis. I can keep us safe.”

“You were pistol-whipped less than two weeks ago. I’m not counting on your protection.”

Before I can respond, headlights blind me as a vehicle pulls up to the rear bumper of her car.

“Dammit, see, someone is going to attack us. I know it.” OK, Sadie is fiercely independent but is an anxious person and a bit dramatic at times.

“Let me handle it.” I pull my purse from the floor into my lap and position my pistol to where I could access it quickly. A guy bends down and peers into my passenger window.

Simon.

“Hey, I know him. Isn’t that Adrian’s brother?” Sadie asks.

She turns the key over, and I’m able to roll down the window. “Simon, what are you doing here?”

“I saw the car stopped and thought we might be able to help.” He glances beside him, so I strain my head and see Kruse standing to his left. Hmmm …. Interesting that he happens to be in the area. Purely coincidental? My gut is telling me maybe not.

“Uh, I appreciate it, but we can call a towing service. My sister, Nicole, doesn’t live far from here, so I’m sure she can give us a ride.”

Sadie grabs my arm. “I can’t afford a tow truck,” she says quietly but urgently.

“I’ll cover it.”

“We’re already here. Let us give you a ride,” Simon says with a smile, his eyes directed to Sadie. “We have a towing service we use at the hotel. I’ll have them tow it to whatever garage you like.”

He’s not giving me his signature scowl, and he seems into Sadie. Maybe it’s safe to accept their help.

“Come on,” he says as he begins to open the door. “You’re going to get hit in this car. You’re not pulled that far off the road.”

“No, Vic, I can’t pay him,” Sadie whispers.

“I will take care of it,” I say. Still feeling a hint of apprehension, I exit the vehicle. Simon follows me, and Kruse and Sadie walk around the driver’s side of the Silver Escalade.

“Don’t move, Victoria.” Simon’s command and the sound of a pistol being drawn from a Kydex holster stop me. Still standing behind me, Simon lowers my purse off my shoulder and takes it. “Is your phone in here?”

“Yes, but Simon, seriously?”

“I know about your day job, and it’s time for my brother to hear all about it.”

“He is going to flip if you follow through with this.”

“I don’t believe that. Get inside. We’re taking a ride to the hotel.”

The door opens, and the second Sadie’s eyes meet mine, she bursts into tears. Kruse is shutting her door as I climb inside. There is a man I’ve never seen before in the back row of seating, and he’s pointing a gun at us.

He appears younger than Sadie even, and along with a straight face, he’s wearing a suit like Simon and Kruse. There is a long scar across his right jawline, and his light brown hair is unruly and too long.

“What’s happening?” Sadie asks me.

“Simon found out I’m a cop.”

“But Adrian already—”

“Hush,” I say, giving her a warning glance.

“Stop crying,” Simon says after he climbs into the front passenger seat. This only makes Sadie more emotional, so I pull her against me.

“Sadie, it’s fine. We’re going to go talk to Adrian, and it’ll all work out.”

Simon makes a call and tells a towing service where to pick up the Ford Focus. “What garage is near you?” he asks, looking back at my sister.

“I don’t know,” she says through a cry. He tells the person on the phone to take it to the closest repair shop. Ending the call, he turns in the seat and furrows his brow.

“Stop with all the crying. We’re going to Submission to have a chat with Adrian.”

Sadie sits straight up. “Oh, my god, you’re in the Mob, aren’t you? You’re going to kill us after and dump our bodies in Lake Mead.”

Kruse and the guy behind us begin laughing, but Simon doesn’t find this funny. Sadie continues to sob. Her face is already flushed, and she’s stressing me out more than the guy with the gun.

“I’m not in the damn Mob, and for the last time, stop with all the tears.” Simon flips down the visor and checks on me through the mirror.

I believe a menacing person shows evilness for mostly one reason–fear. Fear of pain, betrayal, abandonment or death can lead a person to desperation.

Desperation leads to bad behavior without regard for consequences. In Simon’s eyes, I see fear.

Sadie

I should stop bawling like Simon said since it’s only making him angrier, but the madder he gets, the more I can’t help but cry.

The tall driver pointed a gun at me and took my purse, and there’s a creepier guy in the backseat still holding a gun. I’m terrified.

“That’s it, Kruse, stop the Escalade.”

Stop? Why are we stopping? I knew it. He’s going to kill us.

Jumping out of the vehicle, it’s only seconds before he’s slinging my door open. He grabs my face and turns it toward him. The shock from what he’s doing stops my sobs, and now, I’m gasping for air.

“Hey, princess, I’m not in the Mob. I’ve never killed anyone, and no one is going into Lake Mead.” His eyes are darting between mine, and he seems concerned over my mental state.

“But this crying bullshit is making me reconsider my options. It’s stressing me the fuck out, so stop it.”

I swallow a mouthful of spit and take in a deep breath. “Doll, I wouldn’t resort to using guns if I could trust your sister. Blame her.”

I have no clue why, but this makes me smile.

“You’re really not going to hurt us?”

“Uh, cooperate and I won’t.”

“You know, Simon, if you’re a criminal, you really suck at it,” Victoria says. “I could’ve gotten my hands on a gun by now.”

My eyes grow rounder, but Simon ignores her comment. He’s scanning all of my face before he brushes tears away from my cheek with his thumb. Our mouths are close, and he’s too attractive.

“I hate it when women cry, and I really fucking hate it when I’m the reason, so please, no more tears.”

“OK, but I have a test in the morning. Can we hurry this up?”

He shakes his head, seeming dumbfounded by my remark. “Yeah, sure. Whatever you need.” He steps away from me, and I miss his touch. Has my daily life become that boring?

Simon

I wanted to kiss and coddle her.

Coddle?
What the fuck?

I felt this need to make her feel all damn better. I’m getting soft. I need to fuck a chick and hit something soon.

After climbing back into the Escalade, I slam the door hard. I see her jump in my peripheral vision, and even that makes me feel something.

I like her. I liked her the second I saw her with her pretty face above a book at the hospital. Those nerdy glasses and messy hair somehow made her look sexy.

Victoria is a cop. Victoria is a cop...

I need to keep saying this to shut down my heart that is beating for something other than my own life.

Kruse drives us to the parking garage at Submission and to our private parking. I take Victoria’s weapon and shove it in the back of my pants inside my black suit jacket.

“Fuck, how the hell am I supposed to find your phones in these bags? Why do women have to carry so much shit?”

“Real classy, Simon. Rooting through a woman’s purse.”

“I know what you’re trying to do,
Vicky
, and it isn’t working. I have a good reason to be digging in here.” I finally find both of their phones, and after ensuring there are no other weapons, I hand them back their bags.

“I’m going to trust that you’re going to walk with us calmly to Adrian’s. Don’t cause a scene,” I say, pointing my finger at each of them.

I’m probably giving Victoria more credit than I should. Her badassary has caused trouble all over this damn hotel in the past. If she cooperates, I’ll be shocked.

Actually, that’s not true. For some reason, I believe she’s going to do exactly what I say. Regardless of the fact she’s a cop, I believe she cares for Adrian. We’re getting to the bottom of her motives tonight.

Adrian

Glancing at my watch, I sigh. I thought Victoria would’ve called by now. I’m anxious to see her. It’s childish and caveman like, but after finding out Reggie touched her, I have an overwhelming desire to do the same.

I need to leave my mark on her. I’m going to be the last man’s touch she remembers.

My doorbell rings, so I leave my office and head to the foyer. My eyes roam over the five sets staring back at me. It’s silent, and something isn’t right.

“What the hell is going on? Victoria, are you alright?” I ask.

Sadie begins crying. Tears are tumbling down her cheeks, and it’s obvious she’s shook up. My eyes bolt to Simon. “What the hell have you done?”

“We need to have a chat. It seems Victoria has been keeping a secret from all of us.”

Oh, shit
, he knows she’s a cop. I’ve been trying to think of the best way to tell him, but I figured I had more time.

Stepping aside, I let them come in. They stroll to the living room, and when I enter, Sadie is pulling tissues from her purse.

“Sadie, why are you crying?” I ask.

Blowing her nose loudly, she then pushes her glasses up the bridge of her nose. She lifts her hand and drops it dramatically. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because I’ve never been kidnapped at gunpoint before.”

Simon rubs his forehead as rage engulfs me. It streaks through my veins, and before I can stop myself, I’m laying a punch to his jaw. He stumbles backward, his palm instantly covering his cheek as Sadie shrieks.

“What the hell was that for?” he asks.

Urgently, my eyes examine Victoria and Sadie.

“Are either of you hurt?”

“No,” Victoria replies.

“Out of my penthouse now,” I sneer to Kruse and Tommy, pointing to each of them. Approaching Victoria, I pull her into my arms. “This is my fault. I’m so sorry. I should’ve told him already.”

“You fucking knew she was a cop?!” Simon yells.

“Yes, and we’ll discuss it in a minute.”

Finding the number for valet on my cell, I call them.

“This is Adrian Cassano. Victoria Hart is going to come down. Please give her the Vanquish to drive. Thank you.” I drop my phone into my pocket. “Can we speak in private for a minute?” I ask her.

Nodding, she follows me to the kitchen. I cradle her cheeks and absorb the sight of her beautiful face. I could’ve lost her. Just like that, she could’ve been gone.

“I have no grounds to request this, but please don’t press charges against my dumbass brother.”

“I wouldn’t do that to you.” Her arms wrap around my neck to hug me, and I feel shitty.

I just told Reggie I would never let anyone hurt her, and my own brother could’ve killed her. Now, she’s telling me she wouldn’t do something that could hurt me.