Page 33 of Rayne

They pause at the door, turning back to look at me. "We're not far. Just know we're always watching, Tempest. And I meant what I said," Jett says coolly. "Nobody is allowed to touch what's ours. It's probably best that you keep that in mind."

Without hesitating or waiting for my reply, they disappear out of sight. I listen to the sound of their footsteps, slowly fading away as they go downstairs.

The silence is deafening, and my confusion grows with each passing second. I wait for them to come back but they don't. Suddenly, there's a buzz, and the house lights up like a Christmas tree, blinding me as everything reappears.

They're gone for real.

And for some reason, it makes me feel a little disappointed. I glance around my bedroom, searching for evidence that they were here. Part of me wonders if it was just a nightmare, my own mind playing tricks on me.

But there it is—the proof.

Sitting at the end of the bed, staring at me is the gun.

Chapter 12

I'm tempted to bail on Thirsty Thursday.

I've been a mess, barely able to function at work. I do my best to distract myself with Nick's endless tasks as he attempts to bury me alive as punishment—whether for my attitude or the partners' decision to overlook him, I'm not sure.

Facing Margot seems like a challenge. But I haven't missed a Thirsty Thursday, and if I start today, particularly after what she knows about the weekend, I'm fairly confident she'll appear on my doorstep to perform another welfare check.

I head into the bar after work, putting on my best smile. It's hard to hide the My Life is Going Down in Flames look, but at least I can blame it on work.

Margot beams at me as I approach our usual table, also relieved that I've turned up. I throw myself into the booth, grinning at her like a madwoman in a desperate attempt to seem human.

"Uhm… what the fuck?" she starts, narrowing her eyes at me. "Are you already drunk?"

"What?" I mumble. "Of course not. I've just come from work."

She raises an eyebrow at me. "You're being weird."

"I'm always weird," I answer nervously, flagging down a waiter.

Margot shakes her head, her blonde hair pulled up into a ponytail. "No, you're just being extra strange today. Are you on the verge of a nervous breakdown?"

I laugh—genuinely—because I think I am.

The waiter appears before I can answer and I order a shot of vodka along with a Cosmopolitan. He looks at Margot who quickly orders her usual drink and when he leaves, she rounds on me.

"Hard liquor? Come on… spill."

"It's been a rough week," I sigh, quickly adding, "Nick is an absolute monster. We have a new attorney starting next week and I have to provide support to him. Nick is all jealous—apparently they know each other. Plus Mom and Dad are in Florida so I've been looking after the children."

Margot nods. "The plants do need their love. Sorry to hear about Nick. I hope they are going to be paying you accordingly."

"They are," I respond warmly. "But God knows if it will be worth it. I don't know what the new guy is like but if he's another Nick, no amount of money is going to compensate me for my pain and suffering."

"Do you want me to kick his ass?" Margot asks seriously. "I'll do it."

Laughing, I shake my head. "I can handle him."

"I know you can," she replies softly. "I just hate seeing you stressed. Maybe you need a vacation."

I'm teleported back to the conversation with my parents, but this time, I agree. "It would be nice. I just want to lay on the beach and read a book that doesn't involve old legal cases."

Margot's eyes light up. "We should organize a girls' weekend. We could even invite Sasha and Leah."

Sasha and Leah are our old college friends. We met them in our freshmen year when we discovered they were our dorm neighbors. Unfortunately they live a few hours away now, but occasionally we catch up.

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