Page 28 of Zombie

I clenched my jaw before relaxing and tried to make myself look casual. “I will continue to help you with the everyday operation, if you put Cassie and Ryann into one of the safehouses. I want no harm to come to them while I am helping. I am being compliant and doing as you ask. This is the least you can do for me.”

“And why would I agree to your terms?” she asked cooly.

I should have known negotiating with Sarah would be like talking to a shark. She was lethal, played with her food, and spit it back out.

But I wasn’t backing down. “Because I have the power to sell everything, dear sister, and if my suspicions are correct, you want a piece of the pie.”

Sarah pursed her lips. “Fine, you sell me the property I want and I will put Cassie and Ryann in a safehouse.”

I relaxed a little after we shook hands. A small victory in a vicious battle. It was short-lived when Sarah brightened and said, “Now time for that job I spoke of earlier.”

NINETEEN

LENNIE

I woke up to the sun shining and my alarm going off. Another night of restful, nightmare-free sleep.

After climbing off the bed, I stretched, allowing my limbs to wake up. As I went to the bathroom and started to get ready for my day, I noticed I hadn’t heard Dante moving around downstairs. Typically, he was making breakfast or drinking coffee by the time I was up. Quietly, I looked down the hallway and saw his bedroom door was ajar, revealing a sliver of darkness.

My curiosity got the best of me, and I walked toward it. I peeked inside, pushing the door a little wider, and saw Dante still fast asleep. He was lying in the middle of the bed with his bare torso on full display. My mouth began to water when I took in the lines of his abs and pecs. He had no tattoos, and only a thin line of hair trailed from his navel down to his boxers.

I stood there like a creep, enjoying the rise and fall of his breaths. He looked peaceful like this—it was so different from his usual stern demeanor.

Before I could get caught, I moved the door back to where it was, then returned to my room to get ready for the day.

That morning, Bohdi insisted on bringing me into work. I caved because my ribs were still quite sore.

The car ride consisted of Bohdi asking me if I was alright and trying to keep small talk alive between us. I knew he liked me, but the feelings were not mutual. I wasn’t sure what had come over me the night we’d hooked up. Maybe I was just lonely? No, I knew the real answer. I’d wanted to escape the memories of my kidnapping, and he was the closest thing to me at the time. Shitty, I knew. But it was the reality of the situation.

Bohdi gave me a peck on the cheek before I got out of the vehicle. I thanked him for the ride before going to the coffee cart in RSS.

“The usual, Len?” the barista asked.

I nodded. As I waited for my latte to be finished, I decided to set the record straight with Bohdi. I pulled out my phone and sent him a text.

ME:

Thank you again for the ride, Boh.

BOHDI:

Of course! It was my pleasure

Ugh. I needed to be honest and deal with this before it got out of hand.

ME:

I have to be honest, I only see you as a good friend. What happened the other night was a one-time deal. I’m really sorry.

I felt horrible for hurting his feelings, but I couldn’t go on with him thinking there was something between us. Three bubbles popped up on the screen and then disappeared a few times. By the time the response came, I’d received my coffee and had made my way upstairs.

BOHDI:

No problem, Len. Always here if you need me.

Relief flooded me, and I was thankful he was happy to keep our friendship in place. The morning went quickly as I tried to find Sarah, along with other prolific sex traffickers. By lunchtime, I hadn’t found anything and was starving from skipping breakfast.

Fortunately, I’d made plans to meet up with my friend Darcy for lunch. I loved my team, but it would be a relief to talk to someone who didn’t know what had happened to me.