Page 31 of The Anchor Holds

“You don’t have a code?” I heard Elliot’s truck rumble to life. “Against hitting women?”

“No,” Jasper answered just as I expected him to. I didn’t know why I asked the question. So I could try to fool myself into thinking I was ignorant to that side of him? So I could pretend I wasn’t complicit?

I was the only person in the world who truly knew Jasper Hayes. Who knew how ruthless, cruel, violent, and heartless he was. How dangerous.

I’d understood what kind of monster I had unleashed on Naomi, and part of me had wanted her to feel the wrath, punishment for her actions, even if that was deplorable.

I didn’t speak, just held my coffee, hoping the warmth would help me feel my fingers again, chase away the numbness that entered my body when I got even close to Jasper’s low baritone.

“Friday,” he murmured.

I jerked. “What?” I looked around the kitchen, half expecting to see him there, as if he’d been eavesdropping on my conversation with Elliot. He couldn’t have been listening remotely; I swept the place for bugs weekly. The only explanation for him knowing the significance of Friday was that he’d been lurking somewhere.

But no… If he was in the vicinity, Elliot wouldn’t have left alive.

He could be surveilling me in other ways I wasn’t aware of, that wasn’t out of the question. But I didn’t think he would. Jasper didn’t feel the need to watch me like that. He knew where to find me.

“Friday,” he repeated. “I’m calling in my favor.”

“That was quick.” I spoke coolly despite the rancid dread brewing in my stomach at the thought of what Jasper would require from me. But I’d known what I was signing up for when I made my deal with the devil.

I was a devil too.

I could deal with it.

“Wear something nice. Revealing.”

“As if you need to ask,” I scoffed.

“I need you to look emptier headed than you are.”

I rolled my lips together. “Again, something I’m practiced in.”

“I’ll send the jet.”

My gut roiled at the thought of getting back into the swing of things. The dance I had to perform when Jasper was involved. Every word measured, every breath collected. “I’ll get my own jet.”

There was a pause. I knew Jasper was frustrated with me, that he was weighing out the benefits of arguing.

“Fine,” he said without emotion. “I’ll send you the details.”

I put the phone down, my hands shaking.

I couldn’t tell if it was from the conversation with Jasper and the prospect of what my favor might entail, or if it was because of Elliot’s easy smile and confidence.

I didn’t know which was worse.

It didn’t escape me that Friday night meant that I wouldn’t even have the temptation to go anywhere near Shaw Shack.

Not that I would have anyway. My willpower was unbreakable. I was not weak-willed or driven by emotional or carnal needs.

I was stronger than that.

“Was that Elliot Shaw I just passed on my way in the driveway?” Kip asked, walking into my kitchen after obviously letting himself in the front door without knocking.

I’d only downed two sips of coffee and had just managed to return to my resting heart rate after learning I would be seeing Jasper on Friday.

I hadn’t heard the door open and close, nor did I hear the heavy footfalls Kip was known for.

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