Page 66 of Dirty Deeds

“Yes, I know, but it’s only one showing. Enzo, I’m going nuts here. I’m like a fucking prisoner here and the more I stare at these walls, the angrier I get. I let Brent Matthews waste years of my life. I gave up on my dreams. I failed my brother, the only blood relative I give a damn about. I can’t change any of that. But I finally have a shot at true happiness and he’s still controlling me.”

My voice cracked and I couldn’t stop myself, the tears flowed freely. All the lost years I lost and the mistakes I made by devoting myself to the wrong man flashed through my mind. No woman wants to look back on her life with regret.

“Shit, baby, don’t cry.”

I couldn’t stop if I tried.

I overheard Wolf say something, and it resonated with me. We get one life. One shot. How do you let anyone dictate how yours plays out?

“Jesus Christ,” Enzo hissed. “What time is the showing?”

His voice registered and I quickly wiped my eyes. “Four.”

“Fine, go to the showing. Do your thing. But you’re taking the prospect with you and when it’s over you come straight back to Kate’s. No detours.”

“No detours.”

“We’re going to get through this.”

I wanted to believe him.

I wanted to believe him so bad.

* * *

The prospect followedme to the property located in Great Kills. I parked my car in the driveway, and he parked his motorcycle on the street. When he started to dismount, I raced toward him. The point of the showing was to sell the house, not send the buyer running for the hills.

Slim was nice enough, but he was not easy on the eyes. Everything about his appearance, from the tattoos that decorated his bald head to the piercings all over his face screamed menace. I know how judgmental that sounds, but he had the wordsfuck around and find outtattooed to the back of his head.

“You can’t come inside while I’m showing the house to the clients. Just stay out here and make yourself scarce. I’ll call you if anything is amiss.”

“That’s not how this works. I go wherever you go.”

“Yes, I’m aware, but there are no blinds. You have a clear view of me from across the street.”

He considers that for about half a second, then sneers, “I’m not staying across the street. I’ll be parked by the mailbox. You have a half hour.”

“I told Enzo I needed an hour.”

“I don’t care what you told your boyfriend, I’m telling you you have thirty minutes.”

Deciding not to argue with him, I turn on my heel and stalk up the walkway that leads to the vacant house. If I run over thirty minutes, he’s just going to have to deal with it.

I let myself in with the code and slam the door closed behind me. It’s been a while since I’ve showed a house, but I jump right back into the routine, moving from one room to another, making sure the house looks presentable. When I reach the kitchen that’s located in the back of the house, I notice the back door is slightly ajar. It doesn’t alarm me, though, because the door has been a problem since the owners first listed. I recommended they swap it out before they began showing it, but then the roof sprang a leak and they had to replace the entire thing. Money was tight, and like most sellers, they’re hoping they’ll get away with minor repairs. But once an inspector comes to clear the house for the buyers, they’ll most likely wind up dumping more money into the house they’re trying to get rid of.

I toss my bag onto the counter and go to close the door, but it jams. Lifting the handle, I shove my shoulder against the windowpane, hoping the extra force will get it to close. That’s when I’m pulled back. A hand covers my mouth and a hard body presses against mine. The familiar scent of Brent’s cologne wafts past my nose and my stomach instantly turns.

“Thought you were rid of me, did you?” he sneers.

I try to kick him.

I try to pull out of his grip.

I try and try, but I lose the battle.

* * *

I force my eyes open,biting back the searing pain that slices through my temples and for a moment, I have no idea where I am or what happened to me. Then I remember trying to fight Brent off in the kitchen. The rest is a blur and that’s because he hit me over the head with something.

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