CASH
The same dude who told me to back off, that playing the hero during this game for some pussy was a bad idea, is now eating his words. The moment Cady passed out on the couch, Dale sat next to her and watched her like a hawk. It is imperative that we close this deal and get the money together for Phil. I needed Dale to focus and make phone calls, not sit and stare at Cady like a heartbroken boy. When she started crying in her sleep, I knew we weren’t getting jack shit done. He slid over to her and pulled her into his lap, rocking her like a goddamn baby.
I don’t begrudge him consoling her. If I’m beinghonest with myself, I’m angry because he’s doing something for Cady I can’t do for Hazel. I’m so fucking ate up, imagining one bad scenario after another. Until Bobby can get wherever Phil is hiding and see Hazel and Joseph with his own eyes, I won’t be able to rest my worried mind. Throwing Bobby in the mix just makes it worse, especially after Erick being killed. I’m ready for all this to be over so we can all breathe easy and start healing. The only thing I can tell myself is to remain as calm as possible, and to take one day at a time. It won’t be much longer before I’m face to face with that bastard. When that day comes, I’ll bring it all to an end.
Cady heard what I said. I didn’t want her to, but there’s nothing I can do about it now. I should have told Dale I’d tell him later, but I wasn’t sure if he was going to leave her side anytime soon. The accusation in her glare before she left the room was all I needed to know where I stand with her. Dale was furious, but I was able to get him out the door, so he didn’t scare her more.
Once he calmed down, he moved to go back into the apartment, but I stopped him. It took a little talking, reminding him of what all is at stake, but I got his head on straight, and he made the phone calls needed for us to move forward with the sale. His guy agreed to meet with him in three days to finalize the details. Dale was even able to ensure a million dollars in cash up front as part of the deal. I almost dropped to my knees in relief when I heard those words. While he finished up his conversation, I sent Carl and Brad a message to get a move on, boxing it all up and loading it into one of the delivery trucks.
“I let the guys know the sale will be soon. They are taking care of everything,” I tell him as he tucks his phone back into his pocket. “You’ll need to stay down there for a few days. Check on the plant, make sure everything is fine, and see if there is anything important that needs taken care of.”
“I can’t leave for that long. Being gone for an entire day is too long as it is.” Dale runs his hands through his hair and tucks it behind his ears, but it’s just short enough it doesn’t stay put.
“Why is that? I’ll be fine without you for a couple of days.”
I know he’s not concerned with me, but I have to give him a hard time. I want to hear him say it. He peers at me out of the corner of his eye and snorts. Shaking his head, he stands and turns toward the door.
“I can keep her safe while you’re gone.”
“It’s not her safety I’m worried about, Cash.”
I know exactly where he’s coming from. Been there twice with Hazel already. The feeling of helplessness that consumes you leaves you raw, and almost as broken as the person you’re trying to help. There’s nothing I can do or say to make him feel any better. He’s already a lost cause. He was the second he walked through that door. Never thought I’d see the day when Dale cared about a chick’s feelings, only how she feels.
I follow him into the house, and he immediately scans the room for her. The sound of the shower running comes from behind the bathroom door. Dale glares at it like hewants to tear it from the hinges. Yeah, it’s going to be difficult keeping him away for three days if he doesn’t even want a door between them.
“Why don’t you check on our friend?” I say, in the hopes of distracting him.
He walks into the hall and pauses at the bathroom door, putting his ear to it. He must not hear anything, because he steps away and disappears toward the bedroom. I’m glad he didn’t hear anything. The night that I walked into my bathroom and heard Hazel crying in the shower tore me up. As much as I wanted to climb in there and hold her, I knew she needed her space and to pick up some of the pieces on her own. Cady and Hazel are a lot alike. They are strong women who don’t like to be viewed as weak. When Cady’s ready to reach out, she will. Until then, Dale needs to back off and let her come to him, or he’s going to scare her off.
“Cash!” Dale’s voice booms from the other room, raising the hairs on my neck.
I rush in to find him holding a rope in his hand and looking around the room confused. Samuel is nowhere in sight. My heart kicks up, and whooshing is all I can hear. Where the fuck did he go? How long has he been gone?
“Fuck,” I yell and punch the wall. “We gotta find him. If he goes to the cops, we are fucked.”
Dale drops the ropes and grabs Hazel’s keys off her dresser. “Agreed.”
CHAPTER 18
PHIL
IT’Sbeen too many weeks since I got to enjoy a good high. Although this isn’t exactly the kind of buzz I’d like to have daily, it wouldn’t be bad every once and again while I’m fucking Hazel. She responds to it beautifully, though, and to me as well when she’s on it. There’s enough of that batch to last a while, and I will be putting it to good use. In no time at all, Hazel will be exactly what I need her to be. Addicted and mine.
I run my fingers through her hair and kiss the bruise forming on her cheekbone. I’ve got to get better at controlling my rage. Her face is too pretty to damage, and I don’t like seeing bruises on it. The rest of her body is a different story. It’s going to take restraint on my part, and discipline on hers, for this to work. And I’m determined to make it work. It’ll be such a shame if it doesn’t.
Joseph keeps one eye on us as he works at the lab table. Every time Hazel moves or makes a sound, he pauses momentarily before continuing. He needs to keep his eyes on his work and finish this shit. She is nothis fucking concern; she’s mine, and we’re running out of time. Two weeks. He has two weeks to complete his task before the meeting with Cash. If he hasn’t done it by then, I’ll take Cash’s money and shoot Joseph in front of him out of spite. I can always find someone else to do this shit, but I’d prefer not to. Joseph will ensure this drug is potent, and as safe and pure as possible. That takes knowledge and talent. Two things that most druggies do not possess.
The door to the lab opens, signaling Dustin’s return. Only I hear two sets of feet coming down the stairs. The hairs on my arms rise as I shift Hazel in my lap to reach for my gun. When Dustin comes into view, the barrel is pointed right at him. His eyes grow large, and he raises his hands in front of him.
“It’s just me, man. You’ll never guess who I found walking around town.”
Dustin moves out of the way and Samuel steps off the stairs. Joseph stops working and stares at the man with contempt. When Samuel turns his head toward me, I grimace. His face is busted all to hell, and one of his eyes is almost swollen shut. That must have been compliments of Cash.
“You’re a long way from home,” I say to him, lowering the gun, but keeping it pointed at him. “If you had something to tell me you could’ve just called.”
“I was actually brought here and held against my will,” he states as he takes in the lab. “I was trying to get home when Dustinfound me.”
I narrow my lids at Dustin, wondering why in the hell he brought him here. Now Samuel knows where we are and can give us away if we let him go. I’ve got enough to deal with. What the fuck was he thinking? I nudge Hazel to get up, and she slowly pushes herself out of my lap onto her unsteady legs. Everyone watches as I help her sit back down once I’ve gotten up.
