Page 25 of Angels & Whiskey

“So we hear.” Paul smiled. “We good to go?” he asked Gabe.

“Yeah,” Gabe finally spoke.

“Ladies, it’s been a pleasure. Hope to see you both around,” Paul smirked. Gabe just gave me a tight smile before he turned his back to walk away.

Brandi turned back to me. “Was that …”

“Yeah …”

“The guy …”

“Yep.”

“Damn. What’d I miss?” she asked, sitting in the chair that Paul vacated.

“Nothing. It was weird. Gabe didn’t even say anything.”

“Hmm,” she grunted. “Weird.”

“Yeah. Anyway, why are you here?”

“I just wanted to check on you and didn’t want to text or call in case Rich is monitoring your phone.”

“Oh … I’m sure he is.”

“I’ve been thinking …”

I perked up. “Yeah?”

“What if Todd and I took out a second mortgage on our house and gave it to you?”

“What? Why?”

“So you can leave town. You can pay me back once you get settled somewhere.”

“B, it’s not gonna be that easy. Rich will find me.”

“Then we need to kill him. I can’t take this,” she huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.

I laughed. “We can’t kill him.”

“I know. Figure of speech.” She waved her hand in the air to brush off the comment.

“I gotta go get my nails done and be home in time for Rich’s event planner. Oh, that reminds me. He’s running for mayor.”

Brandi’s eyes became huge. “Shut the fuck up!”

“I know, right? I’m so fucking screwed.”

“No, you’re not. No one deserves to live in hell like you. Verbal or physical is still abuse. I still think you need to go to the cops,” she whispered, leaning toward me.

I knew she was right. But I couldn’t. I was too scared.

I walked into Club 24 and my gaze immediately fell on Gabe and Paul at the front desk. My steps faltered.

The receptionist looked up, noticing me. “Welcome back, Mrs. Jones.”

I tore my eyes from Gabe’s back. “Thanks, Cassie. I have an appointment at the salon.”