Page 1 of Belonging to Them
ONE
Ella
Hands shaking, I read the note again.
You owe us.Don’t try to get out of it.
Tell someone, and your brother dies.
The cleaning supplies closet feels too small all of a sudden, like I can’t get enough air.This…this can’t be real, can it?Is Tommy really in trouble?
I think back to the last conversation we had.He was going away, but he wouldn’t say where.He hadn’t sounded like he was in distress; he’d only sounded angry.
Angry at me.
I thought I was enforcing boundaries, but maybe I was being a shitty sister.
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I try calling him.It goes straight to voicemail.
“Hey, it’s me,” I say.“I got this note…can you call me back, please?I’m freaking out.”
I end the call and text him next.Call me.It’s important.Then I stare at the screen for a long moment, waiting.Nothing happens, except the sound of footsteps behind me.
“Ms.Marchand?”Terrence says.“Is everything okay?”
Tell someone, and your brother dies.
I fold the note quickly and tuck it into my pocket.I don’t turn around to look at Terrence, afraid that he’ll see the terror on my face.Instead, I busy myself with straightening the supplies on my cart.“Yes, everything’s fine.”
Thankfully, he doesn’t question me further.
I clean the halls of Dorado Terrace in a daze.Several times, I have to go over certain areas a second time with the vacuum or dust rag because I missed entire sections.Squid, my other guard, gives me the occasional curious look.Terrence doesn’t seem bothered by my absentmindedness at all.He really does carry a sadness about him.
If I weren’t so worried about my brother, maybe I would be able to worry about my bodyguard.As it is, all I can do is worry about Tommy.Who would’ve sent this message?
The people who attacked me and Natasha in that alley, most likely.Tommy probably owes them money, because he is, in a word, sick.He has an addiction.
The framed abstract art in front of my face blurs as my eyes fill with tears.Tommy has a gambling addiction, and he’s gotten himself in more trouble than ever.I don’t know if I’m going to be able to save him from this.
And I can’t tell anyone about it?
I try calling Tommy again.It goes straight to voicemail.I don’t leave a message this time.I don’t even know what to say anymore.
I keep the note in my pocket and finish up the day’s work.Terrence and Squid drive me back to Sebastian’s place, where he and King and I are supposed to spend the night.When I get there, neither of the guys is home yet, so I play in the studio for a few hours, trying to lose myself in music.
Your hand
Cups my cheek
Softly, softly
My secrets
Scratch beneath the skin
Breaking the trust
Shredding the peace
