His nostrils flare and he bares his teeth. He is pissed on my behalf, I think.
Yeah. Pissed. Two hundred and something dollars was nothing to him, obviously, but to me – it’s something when I’m struggling because of Ray. I had planned to get it out as soon as Ray was out of the picture.
Over the years, Killian’s name has come up a lot. Ray has made references to Killian ‘disappearing’ people who cross him. He made it sound like Killian was somebody not to ever be crossed.
Of course Ray has now crossed him. And I’m the one being held as a marker. Though, the alternative… heading out to whereabouts unknown with Ray in my car because he wanted to go on the run from his problems and drag me along with him? This might be better. Yes, climbing into a car with someone who might be dangerous? Someone who threatens to put a bullet in Ray’s head for committing the sin of looking at me? Infinitely better than being stuck with Ray. Well… so long as I find a way out of this.
Killian’s voice cuts into my thoughts. “What did my brother walk in on?”
“Oh… me and him… tangled up in the tub.”
“How’d that happen?”
I take a deep breath. “I came home, and Ray wanted me to leave town with him.”
Killian’s eyes narrow.
“I didn’t want to go, but I knew he wouldn’t like that. I went into the bathroom to text you and Susanna because I really didn’t wanna go. And he was getting – manic. Suse was staying with me to help me g-get through the breakup but she wasn’t back yet. I changed the locks, but he was inside.”
“He’s good with lock-picking. I’ve seen him pick ‘em.”
News to me, but I don’t bother saying so.
“So, he found his clothes weren’t in my closet and the lock had been changed and he sort of tackled me to make me keep my voice down when your brother got to the door and we went tumbling into the tub.”
“He hurt you?”
“I’m okay.”
“Where are his clothes at?”
“I don’t know about what he took to Atlantic City, don’t know if he brought that stuff back, but his other stuff, I put into boxes in my coat closet the day after he left to work for you.”
“You were ending it.”
“Yeah. I was gonna – try. A-again.”
I added the again so he’d know I’d tried before. For some reason I want him to know I want no part of Ray. Haven’t for a while.
“Again,” he parrots.
“Yeah.”
“Hm.”
He stares at me and I’m uncomfortable under his gaze.
“Is it… uh… necessary to take me to your place?”
“It is.”
I swallow and stare out the windshield at the new red light we are stopped at.
“What if I-”
“No, Violet.”
I bite my cheek. “If you need me to pay-”
“Raymond needs to pay Raymond’s debt,” he states.
“Oh,” I whisper.
“What he did just won’t stand. I run a business where if I let people fuck me over, people will fuck me over. I’m sure you understand.”
The light turns green and we advance.
I want to ask, what if he doesn’t pay? But I don’t know if that’s a bad idea, so I don’t ask. Instead, I sit there, eyes aimed at the road.
A few minutes later we pull up to a high-rise condo and drive down a ramp into the underground parking garage.
A few minutes after that, we’re entering his penthouse apartment, him carrying the trash bags filled with clothes and shoes and me carrying my purse along with my bathroom gear duffle bag.
13
Violet
Killian’s penthouse apartment is unbelievably beautiful. If I’d been seeing it on a normal day instead of this crazy one, I would’ve had stars in my eyes.
Maybe I do despite my crazy day.
The place is massive with an incredible view. It’s a corner suite and while much of it is windows, where there are walls, they’re ivory with great architectural details. Wainscoting, chair rail, crown molding. The place has gleaming wood floors separated by area rugs bringing together different conversation and sitting areas within the space. The windows show off a stunning view of the skyline, including Fremont Bridge.
The massive kitchen faces the space with an island and gigantic range hood. It’s framed in with Greek-style columns and arches. Cabinets are all ivory wood above a gray and pink mosaic backsplash and blush pink marble countertops. I’ve never seen such pretty marble and despite the pink, this place isn’t screaming feminine. It’s screaming ‘gourmet cook’s kitchen’.
I’m gawking at the kitchen space and note he’s watching my reaction.
I blink hard. Wow.
The entire space in front of me is not only beautifully decorated, it’s warm and welcoming, too. Nice art adorns the walls and despite the biggest TV I’ve ever seen in someone’s house, it’s all very tasteful.
White sofas with patterned colorful throw pillows, glass with wood tables and lots of houseplants surround the TV area.