Marry Screw Kill(50)

“It’s too late. I slipped a phone in your bag earlier when I dropped my napkin.”

“What?” I peek into my purse and see something wrapped in paper. “Why?”

“It’s why I went to the store this morning. I need to talk to you without James knowing. There is more going on with him than you know. I don’t just want to help you. I need to. I’ll call you from my car.” Sin peers past me and I assume he’s looking for James by the front of the club. He bends down and kisses me on my forehead. My breathing stops, and maybe my heart too. I close my eyes and let the kiss of his full lips soak into me. For the moment, the warmth of his touch helps soothe away some of my worry.

“James is getting in his car and I need to follow him, so I have to go. Be ready for my call. And Harlow, it’s going to be okay. I promise.” He crosses his heart as he walks backward a few steps. Then he turns and runs toward the white Porsche a few cars over from where I stand. I reach into my purse and grab ahold of the phone. This time, the lifeline I’m reaching for has a wonderful, kind man on the other end.





Chapter Twenty-One


Sin



James waits for me at the circle drive entrance in his car. When he catches sight of me, he pulls up next to me in his Mercedes. He rolls down his window and I do the same.

“We’re not too far from downtown. Follow behind me and try to keep up.” He raises his window with a shit-eating smirk on his warped face—one I hope to wipe off as soon as f*cking possible. I drive behind his car out of the club’s main entry onto the adjoining street.

Emma’s car was still parked in the lot when I passed by it to meet James. I didn’t see them in the rearview mirror as I left the club’s grounds either.

A protective part of me wanted to take Harlow away from James as I stood watching tears stream down her soft cheeks. I hated her breaking down for a man who wasn’t worth a single tear. Uncle or not, the man has ensnared a vulnerable woman to mold to his will. Controlling her to be his puppet to move and behave as he pulls the strings. Tangling her in a life she has no control over.

After I’ve driven a mile or two from the club, I retrieve my cell phone sitting on the seat next to me. I’m itching to hear Harlow’s voice. Her face showed such torment when I walked away from her in the parking lot. And that kiss on her forehead … what an innocent touch, but it affected me in a not so innocent way. I can’t deny the attraction I have for Harlow. Nor can I deny wanting to make her mine. But never in the cruel way James treats her. I will settle for helping her escape James’ clutches, and maybe I can somehow be with her, but only on her terms and desires.

I shake my head, knowing I am getting way ahead of myself here. First action I need to take is getting her away from my uncle. Now that I know she wants to leave him, one hurdle has fallen.

James stops at a red light and I ease to a stop behind him. I focus on the screen of my phone and pull up Harlow’s burner number. I hit call, bring the phone to my ear, and wait.

“Sin?” Harlow asks in hesitation.

“It’s me.”

“Your name came up on the screen, but I wasn’t sure.”

“I programmed it into the phone. Keep it hidden, too. I feared James might be monitoring your cell phone, so I bought that one. This way, we could talk without him finding out.”

Harlow sighs into the phone. “I decided to leave him last night. I have a plan.” I hear Emma give a shout in the background, but Harlow’s voice sounds unsteady and forced. Though, I don’t hear tears in her tone. I hope she is doing better.

“What’s your plan?”

“Well ...” she pauses, “I’m going to pawn something in the morning. If I get enough for it, then I’ll have some money to rent an apartment. I can probably get my old job back, too.”

Pawning? No way in hell am I letting her do that to get out from under James’ hold. But if I come at her too strong, how am I different than James? She’s owning her decisions, and I need to push back and let her.

“Before you do anything, will you meet me in the morning? You need to know about James’ history. He’s had issues. Obsessive ones.”

“I feared this already.” I’m not surprised that she has this insight into James. She has lived with him for months. Leaving him wasn’t an easy decision.

“Where can we meet?” I ask.

“Don’t you have your clerkship in the morning?”

“I’ll worry about that. Just meet me, okay? I don’t want you trying to handle leaving James alone.” I want to add that I worry what my uncle might be capable of, but I don’t. Harlow’s anxiety is likely through the roof already.

“Okay … but I feel horrible to make you miss anything at The Clinic.”

“Don’t. I think you’re brave.” And worth it.

“Thanks. I can’t believe you’re doing this for me.” Her sweet, appreciative response makes me smile. I want to do more than share her burden. I want to carry it, shield her from being used by James ever again, protect her from harm.

“Where can we meet? I don’t know the area, so I’ll leave it up to you.” The drive to James’ condo continues as I talk to Harlow. The Porsche rides like a dream, but I feel as if I am part of a twisted nightmare.