Page 39 of No Control

“This is the bathroom.” Jude nods to the open double doors.

I peer in, seeing the large jacuzzi tub and walk in stone shower. “It’s nice.”

“Glad you’re happy with it.”

I nod. “I need to take my dog out…Is that okay?”

Jude laughs. “You’re not a prisoner or something. You can go out through the kitchen door. It’s the straightest shot to the beach if that’s where you’d like to go.”

“Thanks,” I swallow hard and lead Duke back through the house. As pristine as it all is, it’s strikingly comfortable. There’s nothing threatening about the house—or Jude for that matter.

And maybe once I get to know him a little bit, I won’t find anything unnerving about Henry, either.

“Oh wait,” Jude calls out to me as I reach for the handle.

I stop, turning to look at him as he walks toward me, something in his hand. I furrow my brow as he holds out a key.

“It’s the key for the house. There’s a keypad, but um.” He hesitates, letting out a breath. “It’s just not reliable. Use the key if you get locked out, go on a walk, or whatever.”

I nod slowly, taking the key from him. I shove it into the pocket of my faded jeans and open the door the rest of the way. Duke and I slip out into the evening, the sun having already set. However, the warm, salty air feels like the hug I’ve desperately needed as I make my way across the back deck.

“Maybe this was a good idea,” I tell Duke as my feet hit the sandy ground. We make our way closer to the dark waves gently meeting the sandy beach. I slide out of my Vans and pull my socks off, setting them to the side.

We approach the edge of the water. It’s not the first time Duke has seen the ocean, but he takes a few moments before allowing the waves to wash over his paws. I wade into the warm waters immediately, not even caring as it soaks my jeans to the middle of my calves. I kick the water up, and Duke jumps playfully, his eyes lighting up.

A giggle escapes from my throat as we play, and for the first time in a couple of days, I forget about everything.

And it feels so freaking good.

fifteen

Henry

Her laughs cut through the air like a knife, penetrating my chest all the way to my heart. And for a moment, I feel a little less dead inside. Every ounce of me wants to go out there and join her, but if I did…

I wouldn’t know what the fuck I was doing.

I don’t let loose, and unless it’s dry, twisted humor, I don’t laugh. But I like it when she does.

“What’d you think of Carlson?” Jude asks, adjusting himself in the seat at the island bar. His body is angled away from where Lydia and Duke are, and I prefer it that way.

“I think he’s at a minimum a wife beater. I got a solid layout of the house. Seems like the teenagers’ rooms are located in the west wing. The master is in the east.” I recall slipping through the front door, which wasn’t armed with a security system. “The wife is a pill popper. She was passed out cold when I entered.”

Jude frowns. “That’s sad.”

“I guess you have to deal with it some way, and based on the information you pulled on her, she doesn’t have anywhere to go if she were to leave him.”

“You could just add her to the guest list here.”

I don’t laugh at the joke. “Lydia isn’t a guest. This is her home now.”

“Yeah, you’re messed up.”

Ignoring him, I continue with our assignment. “I placed cameras throughout the house—including his locked office. You should be able to pick up what’s going on, and then we can decide when to take him out.”

Jude nods. “I’ll start surveillance. If you need me, I’ll be upstairs.” He slides off the bar stool and rolls his shoulders. “Also, you might want to be gentle with her.” He gestures through the glass to Lydia as she prances around in the waves with her dog. “She’s leery. I wouldn’t be surprised if she has an escape route planned.”

My jaw ticks with irritation. “Lydia will be signing the contract tonight, and if she tries to run, certain measures will be taken.”

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