Page 59 of Scorned Beauty

When we cleared the Holland Tunnel, I had Phil pull into a public transit parking garage.

I narrowed my eyes at the vehicle that discreetly parked behind another car.

“When did you know I had a tail?”

“The night Billy was taken. My men were clearing the area, and they acted suspicious.”

“Well, you know what? This stops now.” I dialed 911.

Half an hour later,a police cruiser came by. I let Phil be the go-between with the cops and the men Dom hired to tail me. One of the officers interviewed me first while the other one detained Dom’s men. I gave a convincing account of emotional distress from the unauthorized bodyguard detail, saying an old boyfriend had trouble letting me go.

I stayed in the car and almost fist-pumped with glee when Dom had apparently unblocked my number.

Dom

That was stupid. They’re for your protection.

Me

Stop playing mind games. Either you care or you don’t.

I don’t want your death on my conscience.

Fuck you, Dom. I blocked his number, turned off my phone, and took out the SIM. I exited the car and stomped the sliver of circuitry under my shoe with so much satisfaction and vigor, it gave me momentary respite from my tattered heart and pride. I plopped back into the passenger seat and dug into my backpack to extract my burner.

Phil had a wide grin on his face when he slid into the driver’s seat.

“That was petty as fuck, but entertaining,” he said. “Remind me not to get on your bad side. The officers gave them a warning. Stalking is illegal and carries a fine and jail time. If they comeanywhere within your visual or physical proximity, they’ll be arrested.”

And that took care of that. I was still seething. Typical Dom. There was comfort that he cared, but I wasn’t a toy he could stick in the corner shelf until he decided he wanted to throw me away permanently after he’d settled on a newer model.

Phil found parking near our apartment building. Logistically, I couldn’t leave with Harriet, but Phil promised to look out for her and I’d set her residency payment to auto deduct from the bank account.

Wherever I landed, I needed to settle in first. I rented a storage unit on the outskirts of New Jersey where I had a trunkful of things, including emergency cash. All I needed was Ginger, important documents, and my laptop. Clothes maybe, but I could always buy more.

Phil accompanied me to the fifth floor, but when we reached my unit, the door was ajar.

“Fuck,” he whispered.

Our eyes locked.

He drew his weapon. “What do you wanna do?”

My shoulders slumped. I was so fucking tired. “You can leave.”

His eyes flashed. “The fuck I am. I got you into this.”

“If they’re in there, then I’ll know what happened to Billy.”

Before we could come to a decision, the door opened and Anton stood there already pointing a gun at us, or specifically, at my head. “Are you guys coming in?”

I stalked past him. “Where’s my brother?”

“Well, that’s why we came to get you. He needs a doctor.”

“I’m not a doctor.” I blew out a breath. “Are you saying he’s still alive?”

“Barely.”