2X The Heat (2X The Pleasure 1)

“Technically, yes. If they were to look into you, they’d find nothing.”

I felt there was a but, yet I said, “Does that mean I can relax?”

“Not in the States. They will be following you, like they’ve been following Lawson, and a few of your other ex-partners. You’ll be a red flag for them. Better to lay low for a while. Full lockdown – no calls, no travel. Get somewhere and stay there. Understood?”

I had to grin at the cruel irony. For the past few days, I’d been hiding away on an island, where nobody would reach me, and the moment I leave, I’m told to go right back.

But this time – alone. I knew I couldn’t take Sydney away from her brother, and it wouldn’t be safe for her, anyway.

“Fuck… Fuck!” I turned around and smashed the glass against the wall, startling my lawyer.

“I know, Owen, it’s a shitty situation you’re in. But it won’t be for long. You’ll take a vacation, get yourself collected–”

“I am collected! I have been for the past few days, until all this bullshit began!”

Baxter didn’t say anything for a long moment. “Listen, this is how things are, and I’m telling you how they are going to be, but you have to listen to me. We will take care of it, you have my word. How long have I been working for you?”

“Five years?”

“Close enough. Six, actually. And in that time, how many times have I fucked up?”

My silence was my reply.

“Exactly. So, you have to listen to me, and do this. I understand that you have met someone. Sydney, is it?”

I gazed at him.

“It’s my job to know, if that’s what you’re wondering. Now, for Sydney’s sake, leave the country for a little while. I’ll give you call when the coast is clear. Oh, and I’ve made sure the money you send to the hospital go through as charity, so don’t worry about that.”

The money, my money. It didn’t matter to me that Sydney was over our relationship. I was still holding up my end of the deal. It was only fair. Her brother didn’t deserve to get caught up in my mess.

I gave him a nod, my eyes full of gratitude. “Thank you. I will follow your advice. Hell, my plane is still warm, so…”

I got a new glass and poured myself another drink.

Chapter 20

Sydney

Three weeks had passed since that night at the hospital. In that time, Declan and I had spent hours talking, catching up. I told him about Owen, everything there was to tell, the good and the bad.

He was getting better, too. It took a week for the infection to retreat and for Declan to get some of his strength back, but once he was feeling well enough to walk on his own, they transferred him to the hospital in Zion. The doctors there had ran every test there was to run in record time, and got Declan into their latest experimental program. Chemotherapy and drugs were still on the menu, but this time the effects were apparent. He had even put some weight on, which caused a new wave of banter between him and I.

I went back to work, but I visited Declan almost every day, spending some nights at the hospital with him, even though he asked me not to. “That’s out of question, Declan,” I would say.

The bills were paid the moment they arrived, but in that time, I had not heard from Owen once. I knew he was paying them, and even though I broke our deal I was thankful. He didn’t have to do that. I wasn’t his problem anymore.

But I missed him.

I hated to admit it, after everything, but I did. I truly missed him. And it hurt. So many times I wanted to reach out, to apologize, to say thank you for helping with Declan. But I didn’t even have his number.

+++

After a few weeks of treatment I drove to Zion to meet with the head of the clinic, who was going to update me on Declan’s well-being. I arrived there just after six and went straight to the doctor’s office, nervous, as if I was walking into an exam.

“Happy to see you Miss Mercer,” the woman said, when I stepped inside. “I’ve been looking forward to this day!”

I couldn’t hold back the smile. “I assume it’s good news then?” I sat down across from her.