Page 22 of Belonging to Them
I trail off.On the coffee table in front of him is a stack of paper.On top of it rests a black marker.
He sees me looking at the marker and makes a move to grab it, but I snatch it first.
“A black marker a lot like this one,” I say slowly, holding it up.I pull the note from my purse, open it up.
Tommy sits back on the sofa.“You don’t have to go all amateur detective on me and test out the pen against the note.I wrote it, okay?”
My heart thunders in my chest and I grip the marker so hard, I wonder if it’ll snap.“I can’t fucking believe you,” I shout.“I was so worried!”
“Is everything okay?”Cora asks, barging in through Tommy’s door.
I nod, but everything isnotokay.My own fucking brother wrote a threatening note.He made me think he was in danger.No demands had come yet, but I bet that was in the works.Let me sweat for a few days over Note Number One, and then demand money with Note Number Two.Note Number Three would probably list a drop-off place for the “ransom.”
“What was coming next?”I ask.“Demands for money, right?Money thatI don’t have?”
“You have money—your boyfriends have money,” he says petulantly.“I wouldn’t have had to do all that if you’d just help me out.”
I’m so fucking glad I never said anything to Kingston or Sebastian about this.How fucking embarrassing.My leech of a big brother was pretending to be kidnapped.
This is crazy.I’m crazy for putting up with him.Over and over.Chance after chance.
“You will never get money from me, or from anyone I know,” I say, tears blurring my vision.
Cora stands off to the side, probably afraid to call attention to herself by moving.
“Do not contact me, okay?I’m done.I can’t keep doing this, Tommy.You’re my brother and I love you, but all you’ve been doing is using me since Dad died.”
He shakes his head in disbelief.
Tears roll down my cheeks and I wipe them away, pissed that I’m crying.“Once you’re done with the gambling, once your life is figured out and you’re not going to ask me for shit, give me a call.Until then, I’m done.”
Before he can respond with a guilt trip or a plea for understanding, I hurry out of his apartment, Cora on my heels.Squid’s right outside the door, and the three of us go to the car and get inside.
We drive out of the Old Thirty-Three and I keep thinking, with every passing mile, that I might start feeling better, like I’m leaving my problems behind me.
It’s just the opposite, though.The world presses on me, heavier and heavier.And, fuck, now Idohave to tell the guys.I never should have kept this from them to start with.
Kingston won’t be off work for a few hours.I’d rather tell them both at the same time.Pulling my phone from my purse, I text Natasha.Can I treat you to coffee in exchange for hearing the latest gossip in your life?
Her response is immediate.Name the time and place, babes.I’m free all afternoon.
* * *
Kingston
Ella shows up at home about an hour after I get there.
“Where’ve you been, baby girl?”I ask.
She shrugs.“Out and about.I hung out with Natasha for a bit, and brought some desserts over to Mrs.Dali.”
“In Bellefleur?”I ask.“Your guards went with you, right?”
“Yes,Daddy,” she says, with just enough sass in her voice to get me narrowing my eyes at her.She clears her throat.“Um.Sorry.Is Sebastian home yet?”
Home.I like the sound of it, that she’s claiming this place, and Bash’s, as her home.
“He’s on his way,” I say.“Why?”
