I put the gun on safety and tucked it in the back of my pants. “Sit down, Griff. You’ve got us all on edge.”
The mailman knocked again.
“Coming.” I opened it and stared at him.
Probably still nervous, West was behind the door, pointing the tip of the gun in the mailman’s direction.
“Sorry, sir.” The old mailman gave me a warm smile. “This is a special delivery that must be signed for.”
I quirked my brows. “Delivery to here?”
“Yes, sir.” He held a big white box in his hand. “It says that it’s going to Sacred Heart in care of Colin Thompson.”
The line of my jaw twitched.
It had been a long time since I’d heard my full name.
Is this from the Church?
“Who’s sending it?”
“There’s no address. Just one name.” He checked the top of the box. “Phoenix.”
My stomach twisted.
She knows my real name and address.
My heart also warmed.
But she’s alive. She survived.
I cleared my throat. “That’s me. I’ll sign.”
It took a few minutes to handle the exchange. When it was over, I carried the box into the living room and placed it on the coffee table.
How does she fucking know my name?
I grinned.
So resourceful. Such a survivor.
“Put that shit down.” Griff pointed his gun at the box. “It could be a bomb in there.”
“So, you’re going to shoot the bomb away?” West brought over a knife and cut the side of the box. “You should put that gun down.”
I couldn’t even touch the package. My head was still spinning with the fact that she knew my name and address.
What could this be?
Noah wagged his tail and sniffed the box.
He barked next.
I know, buddy. It smells like her.
West opened the box in seconds.
Griff whistled. “That’s a nice briefcase. Designer something.”
“Louis Vuitton.” West pulled it out. “It’s heavy too.”
Griff stepped back. “The bomb might be in there.”
“Why would she go to the trouble of getting an expensive briefcase to blow it apart?” West zipped it open and flipped the top over. “Oh shit.”
Stacks of money greeted our eyes.
West whistled.
Grinning, Griff grabbed one of the stacks. “Have I explained how much I really like this woman? Really classy.”
“What’s that?” West peered inside and picked up a black envelope. “It’s a card or—”
“Give it to me.” I walked over and snatched it out of his hands.
What now?
I’d been in a daze of confusion for these past days. I had barely slept or eaten. All I could do was smell the pillow where she’d slept and wish that I could see her again.
I jacked off in the soul coffin, trying to get that same feeling. . .touching the blades that had once caressed her. Feeling nothing but a quick nut with no satisfaction.
Last night, I even got on my knees and prayed.
I didn’t even know who I was talking to when I did. I just needed someone to help me get back to her.
“This looks like at least 60k.” West’s voice held excitement. “I don’t even think her friend took a cut. They both put it all back.”
“Fuck yeah. They did.” Griff held another stack in the air. “We’re bad motherfuckers!”
“Oh really?” West chuckled. “You were just pissing your pants and talking about jail.”
I held the black envelope and turned it over.
One word was written in gold.
CAIN.
Very pretty handwriting, Phoenix.
I walked over to the book shelf.
“I’ll count it now.” West began taking stack out. “But I’m sure it’s over what we thought we’d get.”
Griff clapped his hands. “We can do the Paradise job now.”
“Yeah.” West nodded. “It’s time.”
“I may need to take care of some things first.” I opened the envelope and pulled out a small white card.
Only four words were on it.
This is the end.
I put the card to my nose and inhaled.
Her floral scent was all over it.
Fuck. She definitely wrote this.
I closed my eyes.
My dick went hard.
I inhaled the card again.
A groan left me.
This is the end?
I opened my eyes.
Phoenix.
I licked my lips.
We’re just beginning.