Page 10 of Killer Peep Show
“That’s okay, he did pay a hefty amount. He even said he wants to come back tonight. We do need to think about the next stop so I can set it up. Hammond, any thoughts?”
“He’s coming back tonight?” I ask, though maybe I kind of hoped.
“He is. Let me know thoughts on next city,” he sweeps back out. The first time I met Meryl I thought he was trying to hit on me. In a way he was, offering me food and money and a room for sex. He taught me to become the headliner. We did sleep together once, after a few too many drinks. I don’t regret it. After that, Hammond came into my life.
“Joelle?”
“Huh?”
“Your phone is going off,” he points to the phone in my hand.
“Oh, it’s a text from Cain with an address,” I say, showing Hammond the address. I watch a frown grow on Hammond’s face but say nothing about it.
“Let’s go,” he says, taking my hand. I follow him out to his truck and we head out. The drive is nice. The scenery pretty. We pull up to a small cottage on the river. Only a couple of cars in the driveway. Can’t call it a parking lot.
And inside it is a small cottage, like a bed and breakfast.
“You made it. Come and sit outside with me,” Cain greets us and shows us to a small patio overlooking the river. There is a table set up with plates and a bottle of champagne sitting in an ice bucket.
“This is nice,” I mumble.
“I thought so. I brought in a local chef to cook,” Cain beams.
“Wait? A personal chef?” I don’t know of these luxuries. I grew up in a house that wasn’t just filled with hate, but we were poor. My father drank away all our money.
“I did. A queen should be showered with attention,” Cain pulls out a chair for me, his fingers brushing against my neck, sending shivers down my spine.
“Thank you,” I blush.
He pops the champagne and pours all of us glasses.
“To beauty,” Cain toasts and we clink our glasses together. Hammond scowls from across the table. What is wrong with him?
“Did you hear the good news?” Cain asks.
“That you are coming back? I did,” I nod.
“Can’t get enough of you, or him,” he jerks his head toward Hammond.
“Are you related?” I blurt out.
Cain starts laughing and Hammond scowls harder.
“Oh, this is going to be a treat,” Cain snorts, “no we’re not related, though we do know each other. With that statement, I freeze.
Hammond
Well fuck. Fucking Cain. This is where all my secrets come tumbling out and hers. She doesn’t know the whole truth about what makes her tick.
“What?” She chokes out.
“Cain,” I warn him.
“I think it’s time,” Cain motions for someone who brings out the food. Lobster tails, clam chowder, cheese rolls, shrimp, crab legs. He went all out. He even has escargot. Joelle’s eyes widen at all of this and it makes me feel like a shitbag that I haven’t treated her the way she should be treated.
She was only a means to an end in the beginning. A way to get a cop off my back and away from my family. Then I started to catch feelings. I don’t know what I would do without her, she gives me a purpose.
“Let’s eat and talk,” Cain says and I glare at him.
