Page 72

When I find you

I’m going to gut-fuck you

-T

“I don’t know where he comes up with such original works of art. Someone should really capture his talents,” I say sarcastically. “What now?” I ask.

“Now, we work from home,” Julian says. “We don’t have to quarantine, but there is no need to endanger people here.”

“I agree,” Eliza says.

“I finished your paperwork for you,” Oscar says, hugging me. “I hear you enjoyed seeing them play.”

“Yeah,” I laugh nervously.

“I am so proud of you for opening up with them, Cass,” Oscar praises me. “Still comfortable?”

“Yeah. Everyone is nice,” I admit. “Even Julian and his resting bitch face.”

“Getting brazen, I see,” Julian whispers in my ear. Oscar laughs when I turn and narrow my eyes at him.

“You know what I have noticed, Julian?” I ask.

“What’s that, brother fucker?” he asks, grinning when I scowl at him.

“You might project yourself as this big bad guy, but I’d be willing to bet anything that you would go to your knees, just like Oscar, if you thought for a second that you hurt me.” Eliza cackles, telling me that I’m right. I’ve been noticing how everyone else sees him, and I realized that I needed to look past the anxiety to see what was beyond that. Quite literally coming myself, watching him with Eliza, but simultaneously being so worked up that he couldn’t help but try and relieve the building pleasure, shows me that he has a submissive side to him. That gives me a sense of power that I needed to face him.

“You think you could be the one to make me submit, Cassidy?” Julian asks, loosely grabbing my throat and pulling me against his chest.

“If I couldn’t, you would’ve already put me in my place,” I say. “You are being cautious with me for reasons beyond my trauma.”

“Who’s to say I don’t plan to?” he questions.

“Then do it, pretty boy. Put me in my place,” I challenge him. Before he can reply, the door comes open and Jasper walks into the room with Carrie. I grin and step back when his hand drops.

“Hey, guys,” Jasper says.

“Hey,” Eliza laughs. “Before you ask, the front desk has all of the security tapes pulled. We have contact info for the driver that dropped it off as well as the company it came from. Maggie at the front desk has everything.”

“We got it all. Just wanted to come gather the… evidence,” Jasper says.

“We will be working from home going forward,” Julian says. “The clubs will go to membership only, and we won’t be in there if it’s open.”

“Sounds like you’re on top of things,” Carrie says as they don gloves and start bagging the flowers and notes.

“Anything we can do outside of the obvious?” Jasper asks.

“Gut him like a fish,” I mutter, making Jasper smile.

“Can you set up patrol at the house?” Eliza asks.

“You’ve had patrol on you since the day you got out of the hospital, Liza,” Jasper says. “There are four FBI agents that rotate in pairs that follow you all everywhere. You don’t see them because they’re good at staying hidden, but they’re there.”

“Oh,” she says. “Well… I’m good then.”

“Day or night, call me if you need anything,” Jasper says. “I mean it, Eliza. Don’t be stubborn. I don’t care if it’s popsicles at three in the morning and you’re too scared to leave the house. Call me. Okay?”

“You have a family, Jasper. I’m not…” she argues.