Текст книги "Back To Back"

Автор книги: Chelsea M. Cameron

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Текущая страница: 5 (всего у книги 16 страниц)

“Same here. You’re probably wondering a) how I got this number and b) what I’m calling about.” He chuckles and the sound rumbles through the phone.

“You’re right. I am wondering both of those things. Although I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t impressed that you got this number.” This is his personal cell phone that even Sylas doesn’t know about.

“You have people and so do we,” I say mildly.

“It would seem so. Are you going to answer the second question, or am I going to have to guess?”

“Yes, I am.” Although it would be kind of fun and string him along to pass the time. I take a breath to prepare. “I need your help with Sylas.”

My declaration is met with silence.

“Well. I can honestly say I was not expecting that at all. Well-done, you.” I almost think he’s going to give me a round of applause.

“What I can’t understand is why you would come to me to help you with Sylas. What exactly would you need my help with?” Now comes the tricky part. I have to throw the dice and hope they turn up in my favor.

“I love him,” I say, not beating around the bush. “I did the whole time. It wasn’t a lie and now he’s angry with me and can’t seem to get past what we did to one another.”

He just starts laughing. And laughing. It seems like it goes on forever.

“Well, that’s two surprises in tonight. I feel like I should give you an award.” I don’t want an award. I just want him to help me, or at least give me some advice.

“Do you believe me?” I ask.

“Well, I don’t know you very well, Saige Beaumont, but I believe you. I’m pretty good at spotting a liar, even when I can’t see them.” I bet he is. He’d have to be, to work with Sylas.

“Good. That’s good. So, will you help me?” I wait for him to laugh again and tell me to go fuck myself.

“Well, I know you must be desperate if you’re coming to me. Maybe we should meet and hash this out in person. How about the coffee shop near campus.” It’s the coffee shop I first met Sylas in. The coffee shop that will never be the same to me now because I’ll never go in there without thinking of Sylas.

“Half an hour?” I say.

“You’re on.”

He ends the call and I wonder what the hell I just did.

 

Nine

 

I’m a few minutes early, so I get a seat near the back so we can have some privacy. Cash walks in just as I’m wiping the table with a napkin. He’s pretty hard to miss. Actually, he’s impossible to miss.

Several people stop talking and watch him walk toward me. Well. I guess the table in the back isn’t going to stop people from noticing him. He’s too conspicuous.

His face lights up into a smile as he walks toward me and I can’t really tell what it’s supposed to mean. Is he happy to see me? Or does he smile when he’s nervous?

My hands are shaking a little as I toss the napkin I was using to clear the table.

“Well. Here you are,” he says, gesturing to me.

“Here I am,” I say, not sure what to do next. He settles it for both of us as he gathers me in his enormous arms and gives me the hug to end all hugs. I have to turn my head to the side so I can actually breathe. He lifts me up until I have to balance on my toes¸ but he sets me down gently.

“It’s so nice to finally meet you,” he says, sitting down. “What would you like to drink?” This feels almost disturbingly like a blind date.

“I’m okay,” I say, but he just winks at me and goes up to the counter to order. A few minutes later he comes back with two cups of coffee. Mine has a little cream and a little sugar. Just how I like it. How did he know?

I look up at him suspiciously as I sip. He just keeps smiling.

“I know things about you, too, Saige.”

I suppose he does. Besides, Sylas got the information from somewhere. Or maybe Sylas told him what kind of coffee I like. I hope he didn’t tell them about other things that I like.

Then again, he probably did.

Cash figures out my train of thought and starts laughing. He’s definitely not what I expected at all. Whenever I saw him in public with Sylas, he’d always been rather stoic, but maybe that was his game face. The mask he wore when he was on the job. Total focus.

“So, Saige Beaumont, what can I do for you?” he says, leaning back in the chair. I worry about its structural integrity, but don’t comment.

“Well, I was thinking… maybe you could… I’m not even sure what I’m thinking anymore. All I can do is think about him.” I look up into his eyes. They’re blue, but totally unlike Sylas’. Cash’s eyes are more of a lighter blue, which contrast with his dark hair. They’re very nice.

“Sylas would murder me if he knew I was here talking to you about this. But Sylas doesn’t always know what’s best for himself.” He’s known Sylas for years. If there’s anyone who knows him better than I do (if I even know him at all), it’s Cash, which is why I need him.

“You probably hate me,” I say. This was a bad idea. Hell, he could kill me if he wanted to. I know he’s got weapons on him. I’ve just got a little knife in my boot, but up against Cash’s strength, I’d be doomed.

His eyes narrow and he studies my face for a long time before taking another sip of coffee.

“No, I don’t hate you. I hate some of the things you did, but I understand why you did them. And it’s not like I’m a paragon of virtue either.” That’s definitely true. None of us are innocents. We’re all a bunch of criminals.

“I hate them too, so that makes two of us,” I say. He laughs again.

“He loves you, you know,” he says.

I shake my head.

“No. He loved the game. He loved playing the part. Whatever we had before is gone.” Notwithstanding the amazing chemistry we have between the sheets. Or up against the door. Or on the couch.

He shakes his head slowly.

“I’m going to be straight with you, Saige. I don’t trust you.”

“Fair enough,” I say. I don’t trust him either.

“But I’ve never seen Sylas the way he was when he was with you. He seemed calm and happy and it was nice to see him focus on something. He’s been a little lost lately.” So had I, before I met him. “You took a huge risk coming here and telling me about your feelings. I have to respect that.” I’m waiting for the “but.”

“I think you’re good for each other. So, yes, I’ll help you.” I exhale a shaky breath and clench my hands together.

“Why?” He has absolutely nothing to gain by helping me. In fact, if Sylas found out, it would cause a huge rift between the two men. I have the sense they don’t keep many secrets from each other.

He shrugs.

“Because one of us should be happy. And… maybe I’m a romantic.” His cheeks go just a shade darker. He’s blushing. Cash is blushing.

“You’re a romantic?” I say, raising an eyebrow. This guy is… something else. I can almost see why he and Sylas would be friends.

“Absolutely. If I don’t believe in anything else, I believe in love.”

“What about revenge?” I ask. He waves that off.

“Oh, I believe in that too, but love does a lot more good in the world.”

I’m… stunned. Actually stunned.

“I told him I’d be honest with him from here on out,” I say when I can form words again.

“And are you going to stick to that?” I put both hands around the coffee cup.

“I just wish we’d met outside of all this. Run into each other naturally.”

“But you didn’t and now you have to figure out how to move on from where you are. You’ll be connected for the rest of your lives by Lizzy.” I flinch a little at the mention of her name.

“Have you always known Sylas had a sister?”

He sighs.

“I suspected, but I didn’t have confirmation until he told me after your little kidnapping drama.” Wow. So Sylas doesn’t tell Cash everything. Interesting.

“I must say you’re not my favorite person right now. I was supposed to be on a beach with a topless blonde next to me, but here I am, back in the city.” Does he want an apology?

“I’m sorry?” I say and it’s more like a question.

He chuckles.

“It’s fine. Life sometimes takes you in different directions than you intended and it’s like you were supposed to be going in that direction all along. I know your father wants to meet with Sylas and offer him a job.”

“Not just him,” I blurt out and then want to kick myself. I’ve lost it. I’ve lost all my ability to keep a goddamn secret.

Cash raises a dark eyebrow.

“Really?”

“I’m not supposed to be talking about this, but yes, he wants all of you. Not to work for him, but to work with him. Like… private contractors. Off the books, of course. He wants to expand his operation and he wouldn’t even have to train you because you already know what you’re doing. Plus, he has resources to keep you safe and out of jail.” I need to shut my mouth now. I clamp my jaw shut and wait for him to speak.

“Well, that all sounds interesting, but I highly doubt the rest of the guys will go for it. They don’t trust anyone, and your lovely father just screwed us all over.” He says it all with a smile, though, as if he thinks it’s a funny joke. I can’t get a read on this guy.

“That’s what I expected,” I say. I’m not going to tell him Dad has files on each of Sylas’ buddies and could very easily blackmail them into the job if necessary. I’ve said more than enough.

“Are you going to tell Sylas about any of this?” I ask.

“No, I’m not. It would only cause more trouble than it’s worth. But if you really want to try the honesty thing with him, you should. If you want him to trust you, ever, you’re going to have to rip yourself open and show him everything. All the ugly little corners of your soul.” I close my eyes, thinking about that.

“And what if he doesn’t want me, even after I do that?” When did this turn into a twisted therapy session?

He shrugs.

“Then at least you’ll know you gave it your best shot and it just wasn’t meant to be.” That’s not comforting at all.

I finish my coffee. Cash finishes his and takes both our cups to return them so they can be washed.

“I didn’t mean for this to happen,” I say.

“Love is almost never planned. It happens and when it does, you no longer have a choice.”

I feel that way. Like Sylas and I were somehow inevitable. If we hadn’t met like this, we would have been drawn together another way. I wish it would have been another way.

“Buck up, sweetheart. He loves you too. So you’re already halfway there,” he says, patting my shoulder, nearly knocking it out of the socket as we walk out.

“Thanks. For everything.”

“Just give me a shout if you ever want to talk,” he says, giving me another hug. This time he does lift me off the ground and I’m a little wobbly when he sets me back down.

“See you later,” he says, walking away. Well, Cash doesn’t walk. He lumbers. I stand there, staring after him wondering what the hell just happened.

I want to do something for Sylas. Not a gift but something I can give him that shows I’m serious. That I’m not lying anymore.

My first inclination is sex, but I know that’s not going to be enough. I get home from my little coffee date with Cash and pace my apartment, hoping something will jump out at me.

I go to my bookshelf, seeking inspiration and then it hits me.

A letter. I’m going to write him a letter.

By the time my alarm goes off the next morning to tell me to get up, I have a stack of paper on my bed, sore hands and crumpled and torn bits everywhere. It took all night, but I did it. I wrote everything out. Everything I always wanted to tell him when we were together. All the secrets.

It’s just what Cash said. Showing him the ugly corners of my soul.

I fold the pages together and shove them in a manila envelope because there are too many to just shove in a regular one.

I scrawl his name on the front and hurry to get ready.

The BMW is nowhere to be found when I park down the street from his apartment, but that doesn’t mean anything. He might have returned it to the garage, or be riding around with one of the other guys.

I have a dark hoodie pulled up over my hair so it’s not visible and I’ve got dark sunglasses as well.

I’ve broken into his place more than a few times so it’s only a matter of making sure that he’s not there. I make my way across the street and to the door. I’m being reckless. Far too reckless.

But I’m past caring. I just need him to see this letter. I walk quietly up the stairs and down the hall. I almost hold my breath as I press my ear to the crack in his door.

At first I hear nothing, but then his voice. Talking to the cat. I could just slide it under the door, but he’s fast and he’ll probably catch me. I should try again later. I’m just about to turn around when the door flies open.

“What the fuck are you doing here, Saige?”

Busted.

 

Ten

 

I take the sunglasses off and pull down the hood.

“I came to give you this. Just read it. That’s all.” I start to pivot on my heel, but he lunges out and grabs my arm, yanking me into the apartment and locking the door behind us. I can feel him vibrating with anger and… something else.

“Why can’t you just leave me alone?” he says, stepping away from me and tearing his hands through his hair. “Everywhere I look, there you are. I see you everywhere. I can’t get you out of my mind. You’re driving me absolutely fucking crazy and I can’t take it.” He’s pacing around and I sense I’ve come just in the middle of him having a crisis. Guess I have good timing.

I don’t say anything as he mutters to himself. Leo is perched on the back of the couch, his tail swishing back and forth, watching Sylas as if he’s wondering why his human is behaving like this.

“You know why I can’t leave you alone,” I say, and he stops.

“I know, I know, because of Lizzy. I really wish you would stop reminding me.”

Now or never.

“It’s not just her. I love you. I always did. I lied when I said I didn’t know. I love you, Sylas. In spite of all this other shit.” His mouth parts just a little and I want to throw myself at him, but we need to talk this out. We’re too quick to use sex so we don’t have to.

“How can I believe you?” he asks, throwing his hands up.

“Read this,” I say, holding up the envelope and then putting it on his kitchen counter. “It’s everything. If you don’t believe me after that, then fine. I won’t bother you about this again. But we’re still going to be in each other’s lives. No matter what.” I can’t even think about what will happen if he doesn’t want me. I can’t let myself go there.

The ball is in his court.

“We were happy together, Sylas. No matter what brought us together, we were happy and I loved you. I love you.” Biting my bottom lip so I won’t cry, I turn around and leave.

He lets me go.

I’m distracted the rest of the day, wondering if Sylas has read the letter or burned it, and if he did read it, what did he think?

I never used to be this kind of girl, and I hate it a little bit. No guy has ever twisted up my head so much, but then again, there’s only one Sylas.

I refuse to let myself contact him. That’s where I absolutely draw the line. But I do call Lo and tell her I basically laid everything on the line with him. I can at least tell her that. She gives me encouragement and says that if he doesn’t accept it, then he’s an idiot and I wouldn’t want to be with him anyway. I roll my eyes, but it’s good to talk to her about it anyway.

Dad calls me just as I walk through the door after a long and distracted day. I pick up the call, but then I see Sylas is sitting on my couch.

“Dad? Uh, yeah, let me call you back. Bye.” I hang up before he can say anything else and my phone almost slips from my grip. I turn it off.

“What are you doing here?” My voice is a whisper. I set my bags down and walk toward him. He’s dressed casual, in a ripped t-shirt and jeans.

T-shirt? He’s wearing a t-shirt. He wore a t-shirt out in public, showing his tattoos. I’m as stunned by that as I am by him being here, in my house.

“I read your letter,” he says, leaning forward and placing his forearms on his knees and clasping his hands together.

“And?” I prompt, but it comes out as a squeak. I really wish I could get control of myself, but I’m shaking all over.

He looks up at me.

“I accepted the job. With your father.”

I need to sit down. Going to the other end of the couch, I sink into it.

“Why?”

He chuckles.

“Because it’s my only option, isn’t it? The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” True, but I had no idea he was going to go for it without at least a little bit more of a fight.

“He blackmailed you,” I say, and it’s not a question.

“More or less,” Sylas says and it makes me angry on his behalf. I love my father more than anything, but I don’t agree with everything he does.

“He says that he has something I want.” I narrow my eyes.

“Me?” I ask, but he shakes his head.

“No. Something else. I have no idea what it is, but he told me that I’m definitely going to want it. I… I have to take the chance, Saige. And then there’s you.” He looks up at me and I search his eyes, looking for anything to give me hope.

“We’ve done a lot of things to each other, you and I. But I can’t be sorry I met you. When I told you I loved you, it wasn’t part of the game. I said it because I meant it. I mean it. I do love you, Saige. So much it’s hard to breathe, I’m so utterly consumed by you.”

That’s all I wanted to hear. I launch myself at him and he’s ready for me. His kiss is rough and hard and everything I want. There isn’t even time to get undressed. He just pulls down my jeans and underwear, unzips his pants and moves me until I’m sitting in his lap.

I sink down onto his cock and stare into his eyes as I do. His eyes blaze into mine and I see everything I’ve always wanted.

“So how the hell is this going to work?” I ask a while later as I’m lying on his chest and he’s playing with my hair.

“I’m not sure. We should keep it quiet at first. I’m sure your father will be none too pleased. He threated to hurt me if I ever broke your heart.” That’s not surprising at all.

“Well, you’re not going to, so you don’t have to worry about it.”

“I wish I had your confidence.”

“It’s not about being confident,” I say, lifting my head and resting my chin on his chest so I can see him. “It’s about knowing something, deep in your bones. I knew you were going to change my life, that very first moment when you saw me.” His hand stops moving on my hair.

“That reminds me, why in the hell were you wearing that brown wig?” I laugh. I wondered how long it was going to take him to ask.

“I wore it because I knew you’d be intrigued. No reason other than that. I have worn disguises before, many times. I just had that one kicking around.” Sylas holds a few strands of hair between his fingers, turning them so they catch the light.

“You should never cover this hair. Ever.” He tugs a little and I yelp.

“Is this even happening right now?” His hand goes from my hair to my cheek.

“Yes. Somehow.”

He gives me a soft kiss.

“How are we going to trust each other?” I say. This is going to be our biggest hurdle. Well, the biggest next to Dad.

“I really don’t know. I guess we’re going to take it one day at a time. That letter was a start. Thank you for sharing that with me. I know it wasn’t easy.” I’ve missed him. This is my Sylas. The man I fell in love with. Not the unemotional, quiet robot I’ve seen since everything went to shit.

“Thank you for reading it and not setting it on fire.”

“I would never disrespect you like that.”

We don’t talk about the exact details of the letter. It was a lot for him to take in, I’m sure. I started at the beginning, with the games Dad and I used to play and went all the way to the moment when Dad asked me if I could help him with a job and showed me Sylas’ picture. At first I didn’t know what Dad wanted with Sylas, but I did the job anyway. And then I got far too wrapped up in it and fell in love with him and found out what Dad’s true motive was.

I almost told him. Many times. I’m sure he remembers those moments when I seemed distant, or like I had something to tell him, but would divert his attention when he asked.

“So I guess this makes us coworkers now?” I say. I don’t like the sound of that.

“Close enough.”

I shift so I’m lying more comfortably on his chest.

“Did the rest of your guys want the jobs?” He lets out a long breath, his chest rising and falling.

“Yes.” His tone is clipped.

“Dad used what he had on them, didn’t he?”

“Yes,” he says again.

“I’m sure they weren’t very happy about it.”

Now he’s the one who shifts.

“I think they were more okay with it than I thought they would be. He’s got a lot of money, and they can do what they want more now that they have his protection.” Money is a powerful, powerful force. “Row has been wanting to work on cars forever, but a chop shop wasn’t exactly in the budget.”

“And what about you? Are you okay with it?”

“Ask me that question tomorrow,” he says and closes the door on that particular conversation.

I don’t answer, but close my eyes and breathe him in and thank the fates, or whoever it was that saw fit to put the two of us together.

“Stay,” I say later when we’ve both gotten up. “I’ll make you dinner.”

He opens his mouth to say something, but I cut him off.

“Okay, I’ll order dinner.” I’m not much of a cook. I usually don’t have the energy for it when I get home from school.

He looks down at me and then holds my face in both hands.

“Sure,” he says, placing a kiss on my lips.

We end up getting Chinese and eating it on the couch while we argue over which movie to watch. I’m in the mood for a costume drama, but Sylas is having none of it.

“If you watch this with me, I’ll watch whatever you want next time.” It feels so good to know there will be a next time. Hopefully there will be many next times.

This is what being a twenty-year-old girl is supposed to be. I’m supposed to fight with my boyfriend about what movie to watch. Not worry about getting caught on a surveillance camera as I sneak into a building to steal some documents.

He sighs like it’s the end of the world and then acquiesces.

“Fine. But you owe me.”

“Fine,” I say, selecting the movie and snuggling into his chest.

“I’m glad you’re here,” I say as the opening scene of the movie fills the screen.

“Me too, Redhead,” he says, kissing my cheek.