Page 82 of The Revenge Plan

Ax: Who told you that?

Me: Hailey.

Ax: So you’re back together now. Is that why you went home early?

We weren’t together yet, but I wasn’t sure if I could tell him the truth. At least not yet.

Me: We aren’t together. She still doesn’t trust me.

Ax: Sucks to be you. Hailey is a great girl.

That response shocked me I quickly typed:

Me: I thought you hated her.

Ax: That was before I knew the truth. Now that I know, she’s kinda sad and I want the best for her.

Me: Better stay away from her, since you now like her.

Ax: Watch out. (he added a devil emoji)

Me: I will skin you alive and hang you by your insides if you ever try to do something.

Ax: (three cry-laugh emojis) You sir are truly whipped.

Me: You’ve been warned.

Ax: Speaking of which, have you told her yet?

I paused. I wasn’t sure how I was going to break it to her. Her relationship with her brother, while it was on the rocks, he was still her brother. Ax sent another text.

Ax: She’s going to find out soon enough. It might as well be from you than from some CNBC news anchor.

He was right, of course. I had to tell her. I will tell her. Just not tonight. Things had been going well between us so far. It would be a shame to ruin it all by telling her something she might ultimately blame me for.

After I closed my chat with Ax, my finger hovered over the next name on the screen. Would it be too soon? She might think I’m smothering her. I was still deciding when she sent me a text.

Hailey: Come right now. Please Hurry!

I didn’t waste my time asking why. Something about the text was off. It screamed emergency. I got up and rushed to her place. The door was open. That was the first shock. The second was that she wasn’t alone. Someone was holding her hostage.

53

When the doorman called and told me that a man who claimed to be my brother is here, I said to bring him up. I was surprised that Bryce had come without calling me first, but I thought nothing of it. When he walked in looking like a drunk who hadn’t taken a bath in three days, I became a little worried. When he started pacing around my apartment, my worry turned to anxiety. Then he brought out a gun.

“What the fuck, Bryce.” I must have had a shocked look on my face because he then said, “Oh, calm the fuck down will you.”

“What’s with the freaking gun!”

“Where’s your husband? I’m sure he’s here. I saw you two going in and I’m pretty sure he hasn’t gotten out.”

Oh. He didn’t know we stayed in different apartments. “He’s not here.”

He became even more agitated, “I don’t have time to play games, Hailey. Where the fuck is he!”

“Not here. God!” He sized me up then said, “Stay there.” He went down the corridor to the bedroom. I followed him.

“You won’t find him there.” He ignored me as he rummaged through all the rooms. Opening and closing doors.

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