Page 39 of Hold Me
“Think again.”
Caleb flinches as he feels the barrel of the gun pressing against the back of his head. His heart is beating so hard that it’s the only thing he can hear. Then Heather reaches out and places her hand on his cheek.
“It’s okay,” she says.
“No, it’s not.” Caleb shakes his head. “I won’t... I can’t...”
“Yes, you can.” He can feel her soft, warm hand on his cheek.
“Listen to the girl, Caleb,” Raphael says. “It would be a shame if something happened to her because of you. Or to Isaac and Jade. Or to Heather’s sister.”
Worry passes through Heather’s eyes.
“You can do this the easy way, or the hard way,” Raphael says. “The choice is entirely yours.”
Caleb finally nods.
“Caleb!” A loud shriek brings him back to present, and he realizes Jade is clutching his shirt.
“Shh. It’s okay,” he says, caressing her hair. “It was just a nightmare.”
Jade’s chest raises and falls rapidly as she looks up at him. “Oh God. I thought you were...”
“Everything’s fine.” Caleb kisses her forehead. As she settles down next to him, he knows that nothing is fine. Everything has been wrong from the moment Raphael found them, and their lives have been turned into a nightmare they can’t wake up from.
Alessandra looks around my living room as I bring her a tall glass of apple juice. I set the glass on the table and plop onto my couch.
“I don’t remember when I was at your apartment last time,” she says, then takes a seat opposite me. “I quite like it here.”
“Yeah, well, I needed a safe and private place so we could talk.”
Allie leans forward. “I’m all ears.”
“Remember that party you took me to?”
“How could I forget?” She laughs. “You want to go to another one? Well, that will be a little hard. Raphael has tightened his security since the cops ruined the last one.” She eyes me carefully, and I keep my face expressionless.
“Oh, really? Cops? Wow, that’s terrible. I’m so glad I wasn’t there.” I try to look shocked, my hand flying to my neck.
“Don’t worry. Everyone got outside in time. Raphael is well prepared for any silliness like that.” She waves her hand, then pulls out a cigarette and lights it up, taking one long draw and puffing it out. “You don’t mind, do you?”
“Not at all.” I can live with a little smoke as long as Allie is comfortable. “Does Raphael know who ratted him out? I can’t imagine that’s good for business.”
“Oh, he’ll take care of it. He always does, but don’t worry. If you want to go to another one...”
“No, actually, I had something else mind.” I clasp my hands in my lap. “I saw a really hot guy at the party. Looks like a model. Dark hair, blue eyes. He was with Raphael. I don’t remember you offering him to me, but I’m interested.”
Allie scratches her eyebrow. “I’m not sure I know who you’re talking about.”
“He had scratch marks all over him. Kinda hot.” I wink at her. “Had a tattoo like Caleb’s. And his cock...” I close my eyes and press my lips together. “Mmm.”
“I think I know who you mean. His name is Isaac,” Allie says, but her face is serious.
“Isaac? I don’t know. I guess it’s him. He looks incredibly hot, and I’d just like to have a piece of that.” I lean my elbows on my knees. “Can you arrange it?”
“Sorry, but he’s not like Caleb. He doesn’t go to his clients’ homes.”
“What? Why not?” I pout. “I’ll pay a lot of money for him.”