Page 65 of The Devil's Playground

Well, no. She was accused of being a murderess, and though she knew the true identity of the killer and refused to squeal, it was hard to prove her innocence. After a while, the cops gave up, but because the killer was actually her former student turned young lover, she was hiding out from him.

I forget what name she went by then, only that her real name is Tamryn Carlisle. Up until this past Christmas, she lived in Springfield, though she’s originally from this small, secluded town called Shadowvale. It’s about two hours away from Springfield, and I know that because, when I heard rumors of a hitman operating out of Shadowvale, I looked into it.

The Reed twins—a pair of brothers about my age—basically run this town. This Shadowvale. On paper, it’s because they own the two largest businesses: the sanitation company and the sawmill. In truth, Nicholas Reed takes jobs, and his brother, Hunter, sees them out.

It’s late. Almost one in the morning. Just because I’m up, it doesn’t mean that Nicholas will be up—but I could give a shit. Men in our line of work are used to late hours, and if I can hire him, he’ll surely make me pay for it.

After making sure that Nicolette is comfortable, I call up Nicholas’s contact. I tell myself I won’t be annoyed if he doesn’t answer, but I’m fucking relieved when his gruff voice says, “This better be worth it, McIntyre.”

“It will be,” I assure him. “I got a job for you.”

“From your tone of voice and the later hour, I assume you mean Hunter.”

“Yes.”

“Interesting. For our usual fee?”

I look at Nicolette. She’s folded her legs beneath her, hands tucked in her lap, eyes looking away from me as though perfectly aware what sort of conversation this is.

A muscle tics in my jaw. “For triple.”

“When do you need this job done by?”

“As soon as Hunter can get her to take care of it,” I tell Nicholas solemnly.

“E-mail me the details by morning. For triple our fee, whatever you need done, it’ll be done by tomorrow night.”

I don’t doubt it. Just like how I don’t ask questions about Tanner’s skills, I definitely don’t doubt Hunter Reed. He’s aptly-named all right. Even if Haines goes under, assuming that Nicolette came and told me what he did to her? Hunter will find him—and no one else will ever again.

“Sounds like a plan.”

“Good. I’ll talk to you in the morning. As for now, I’m all tied up.” Over the phone, I hear a laugh. Considering it’s a woman’s laugh, I know it’s not Nicholas—thought I’m pretty sure who it is, especially when he amends his comment to, “Well. Someone’s tied up.”

He ends the call abruptly, but after dealing with Nicholas before, I’m used to it. Instead, I prepare myself for Nicolette’s curiosity. I know that, if I explain to her what my intentions are, she’ll understand. After all, she spent a decade as an enforcer’s property; me not liking that fact doesn’t change it. That’s part of the life, and if I thought she couldn’t handle it, I would never have gotten this involved with her.

But I have, and I meant it when I said I would do anything to protect her.

Only… I was right. She’s not curious.

She’s fuming.

“Nicolette?”

“I’m so stupid,” she mutters. “I should’ve known there was something wrong with him when he tried to pay me ten grand for sex.”

Oh, no. I absolutely refuse to let Nicolette blame herself. Besides, that prick had a perfectly good reason why he would do that, and I tell her so.

“It’s because you’re beautiful, baby?—”

She scoffs. “You’re just saying that because you are the one sleeping with me.”

“No. I’m saying that because I love you. Even if I didn’t, I’ve got a good eye. I know a beautiful woman when I see her. I also know a good-hearted one who has been dealt a shit hand, who bluffs when she has to, folds when she has to, and will do anything to win.”

I thought that would be enough to get her attention off of what happened and onto me like it belongs.

I was wrong.

After a heart beat where she just gapes at me, she turns away, avoiding my earnest expression.

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