Marry Screw Kill(62)

“There are more just like this one,” Sin comments as he digs deeper.

He opens a file and the first page appears to be a log with daily entries. The logo on the yellowish paper is from a private detective agency named Brennan’s.

Again, my name is typed in caps across the page.

“He had you watched every f*cking day.” Sin points to a few days with various entries posted. There were days when I would look over my shoulder as an odd feeling of being watched came over me. I brushed it off as anxiety, but not anymore. I should’ve listened to that voice inside me whispering something was amiss. I was needy and blind to heed the warning.

Sin hands me the daily log sheet and I begin to read over the entries.

May 1st - Home all day.

May 2nd - Left home at 9 a.m. Followed her to the approved dry cleaners and grocery store. Returned home at 11:47 a.m. and didn’t leave for the rest of the day.

The folder contains page after page of documents tracing my daily activities. Every breath I took while living with James was recorded—the times I left the house thinking I was free were nothing more than pretense. I was a true prisoner with a guard to watch my every move.

“When did this start?” I ask, grabbing a few folders off the top.

“I think we know,” Sin says, but I want proof.

I start with the bottom folder in my hands and open it. Checking the day at the top, I see the first entry for last October. Over three months before I even knew James existed.

“He picked me out, waited for the moment when I was the weakest, then trapped me.”

“That son of a bitch,” Sin spits in disgust. “What he did to you comes close to insanity.”

I close my eyes and take a deep breath, remembering I am no longer with James. But it seems his reach is like a tentacle still holding on to me—a sick and diseased connection I have to escape. I want my freedom. It’s my God-given right.

“This box is coming with us.” Sin takes the papers from my hands and returns them to the box. “We need to leave before James finds us.”

“Where are we going?” I ask, twisting my fingers.

“The hotel across the street. I just hope they have a room.”

A room, as in one?

I should probably ask him if he plans on us sharing a room. I’m fine with it … I think. The thought of staying in a room by myself tonight doesn’t sound comforting. I don’t want to be alone, but being with him makes all kinds of expectations come to my mind.

I know he’s not James, but I am still processing the kisses we shared this morning. When I ran into his outstretched arms, his lips on mine just happened, like we were celebrating my freedom. I didn’t give his kisses a thought. They were natural and spontaneous. Now, as I reflect back on them, there’s no denying I would love to have the security of his arms holding me tight while his lips speak encouraging words.

Sin re-attaches the box’s top and begins looking over the various papers on the bed. They seem official and legal-sized. I glance over them and see the mention of attorneys and James Elliott.

“What are these?” I ask as Sin shuffles through them, reading page after lengthy page.

“Holy shit,” he exclaims. “Settlements. Out of court settlements with James and women. See this part?” Sin points to the words on the paper and I read them, but the number written out stops me. Ten million.

“He paid off a woman who was accusing him of sexually harassing her at work. She claims he stalked her and wouldn’t leave her alone,” Sin says in a rush. “I am going to fax this to my family attorney back in New York. This is all we need to secure your freedom from him in your life. If The Clinic gets word that he was stalking a nurse who worked in his department, he will lose his job and all his prestige. His career would be over.” A look of victory radiates over Sin’s face.

“And he can’t touch you or your career. Promise me,” I beg.

“We are both fine.” He reaches down and kisses me on my forehead. “It’s our ace. There’s no way he will risk his reputation and job. I would bet my life on it. His office is down the hall. I’ll fax these papers and we can get out of here.”

Sin leaves the room and I remove the top of the box with my name on it, emboldened by what Sin has found to hang over James’ head. What’s to fear from James’ wrath now? I want to know the secrets he might have stashed away, though a part of me fears what lies inside. At this point, I wouldn’t put anything past James.

Before I can get past a few papers on the top of the box, I hear Sin’s footsteps coming down the hall toward the bedroom. I glance over at the door and Sin enters with his papers in one hand and phone in the other.

“We need to clear out stat! I don’t want to be here if James walks in the door.”

Neither do I.





Chapter Twenty-Five


Sin



“Where the f*ck are you two?” James screams into the phone. I pull it away from my ear, grimacing. I expected nothing less from him, though. I took his shiny toy away from him and he is having a tantrum.

“Where I am is of no concern to you,” I reply, my voice deadpan. I have no desire to engage in a shouting match with him.

“I’m going to destroy you, Sin. Mark my words. You’ll be lucky to get a job sweeping the sidewalks in New York City once I settle this score. You’re a stupid fool. And all for a little * that belongs to me. I want her back by five o’clock at my house today. Or I will call my contact in the city and your residency at Columbia will evaporate before your eyes. Poof!” James ends with a lovely spit sound into the phone. I just smile to myself, knowing I’m holding my get-of-James’-wrath card.