Page 11 of Ripple Effect, Vol. 3

I snap my head toward the doorway, where Ripley stands leaning up against the frame, arms crossed, possibly pissed, though it’s hard to tell when his eyebrows always look drawn tight.

“Nobody.”

“Nobody,” he echoes. “Except that this isn’t the first time I’ve heard that name. During your withdrawals, you spoke the name a few times. I didn’t think anything of it, until just now.”

With his shoulder, he pushes off the wall and walks toward me, making me very much aware that I’m still buck ass naked while he isn’t.

“That’s who the money’s for, isn’t it?”

I keep my gaze locked on his, doing my best not to flinch at all the secrets pooling between us.

“Charlie is someone close to you. Perhaps a brother. A sister. Someone important enough to break into a killer’s house. See, I thought it might’ve been your little addiction at first, as you said. But that was a lie, wasn’t it?” He takes another step toward me and my body goes into protect mode, trembling and fidgeting, ready to strike out. “Who’s Charlie?”

“I told you—”

Fingers grip my chin in a firm hold, tensing my muscles. A warning.

I hate being backed into a corner, but there’s a chance he might not give me the money if I don’t come clean. “Charlie is my dog. I stole the money to spring her from the shelter.”

One eyebrow kicks up and he tips his head, as if in disbelief. “You stole six grand from me. Broke into my house. For a dog? You’re not that stupid.”

“This is exactly why I haven’t said a damn thing. You wouldn’t understand.”

“En-fucking-lighten me then.”

“What’s the point? Nothing I say will appeal to you. Remember?”

“What’s so special about this dog?”

“She’s my only family. And if I don’t get her back, someone will adopt her, or worse. They’ll …” I can’t even say it without tears so I don’t bother.

“Who’s they?”

“She was transferred to City Canine Rescue. I called earlier today and found out she passed her temperament test, but they don’t keep them long.”

“And just how did you manage to call?”

Sucking my top lip between my teeth, I cast my gaze away from him. “Your briefcase. I wasn’t trying to snoop. I was just—”

“Going through my shit.”

Lifting my gaze is a mistake when my stomach flips at the sight of his stern eyebrows and pissed off stare. “Yes.”

He releases my chin and crosses his arms over his chest. “So let me get this straight. You agreed to let me fuck you for two months to save your dog that might be adopted or euthanized before I even let you go.”

Yeah, well, considering I devised the plan on two crushed forties, it’s not that outlandish.

“I guess I was hoping you’d loan me the cash if I quit pissing you off.” I tighten my lips to hide the sheepish grin begging to escape. “It’s not just about … Charlie. I mean, she’s the reason I broke in. And my pills.”

“So why else are you here?”

I can’t look at him and spit the next few words out, but I can’t deny them, either. “I feel safe. Here. With you. Don’t get me wrong, I can take care of myself. I don’t need you for protection or anything. I just need to lie low for a while until …”

“Until what?”

Rolling my shoulders back, I meet his gaze with a level stare. “Until I know Rook won’t find me. I can’t risk getting back on the pills. Look, I know I should’ve told you that someone was after me. I promise I won’t put you in a bad spot. At the moment, he doesn’t know where I am. And if by some twist of events he finds me, I’ll leave. I won’t put you in the middle.”

“What does he want from you?”