“Get out!” I shouted, and he pushed his way past Cill and out of the door.
“Dennis, make sure he leaves the building right away,” I ordered, and locked the door on the nightmare fuck up that’d just walked out.
Cill shook his head at me and sighed. “You let him off the hook way too easily.”
I grabbed my phone and made a call for the second time today, to someone who’d done me more favours than I cared to mention recently.
“I haven’t finished dealing with him yet,” I replied.
The call clicked onto answer phone, so I left a message. “Luca, it’s Jax. Call me when you get this message. There’s someone I need to make disappear, permanently, and I know that’s your forte.”
Cill grinned. “Nice touch, get the Marquez brothers to do the dirty work. I like it.”
“I’m not getting them to do my dirty work. They just do it better than we do.”
A churning sensation was taking hold in the pit of my stomach, clawing and wringing my insides as I tried to concentrate on the road ahead. Maybe it was Chloe’s words ringing in my ears about revenge and not being able to trust Justin, I don’t know, but something felt off. The drive across the city to Liam’s apartment didn’t take too long. Traffic was unusually quiet for a Monday afternoon, but I didn’t feel in any rush to get there. My mobile rang out as I was driving, and I looked down to see Jackson’s number flashing back at me. I didn’t answer. For one, I was driving, and two, he’d hear the apprehension in my voice and know something was up. No, I’d call him back after this dreaded meeting was over. At least then I wouldn’t have to lie to him.
Chloe’s mobile rang seconds after mine and she gave a small groan.
“We’re popular today,” she said on a whispered breath, then answered in an overly chirpy manner. “Hey, babe. What’s up?”
I couldn’t hear what was being said on the other line, but I guessed it was her husband, Luca, calling, and from the deep voice booming through the phone, he sounded pissed.
“Jeez, Luca, I don’t need to check in with you every time I go out. It’s all a bit excessive, don’t you think? Anyway, I’m with Ryley. You know, Jackson’s Ryley. We’re only going for coffee, just chill. You know where to find me if you need me. Just relax, babe. I’ll be home in an hour or so.”
There was a bit more mumbling and muttering from his side, and Chloe turned to me and rolled her eyes, then stifled a laugh.
“I love you. Go do some work and stop stalking me. I’ll see you later.” She hung the phone up and dropped it into her bag.
“Possessive husband, huh?”
“He means well. Mind you, it’s gotten worse since we found out about the baby.” Chloe threw her hand over her mouth, realising she’d said something she didn’t mean to.
“You’re pregnant? Woah, that’s amazing! I’m so pleased for you both. Wow.” I took a quick peek at her tummy, but she wasn’t showing at all. She was tiny.
“Oh my God, we haven’t told anyone about that yet. Please don’t tell anyone else.” She rubbed her hand over her flat tummy and grinned. “It’s still early days and we don’t want anyone to know until we’re ready to share it with everyone else.”
I understood. Having a baby was such a special time, and once everyone else knew they’d probably bombard you with questions and advice. Keeping it quiet had its appeal, I could see that.
“My lips are sealed. Wow, Chloe, you’re gonna be a mummy. That’s so awesome.”
“Yeah, I know. I just hope I make a better job of it than my own mum.” She sighed.
“You’ll be amazing. I can tell.”
We drove on for a little longer, Chloe with a dreamy look on her face, lost in her baby thoughts, and me dreading the next hour or so of facing my lying, cheating ex.
We pulled up close to Liam’s building, and I managed to park the car in a side street opposite.
“Well, here goes nothing,” I said, as we made our way across the busy road to the old Georgian townhouse that housed Liam’s apartment.
It was situated in a square, full of identical buildings to his. It stood three stories high, with decorative iron railings and huge sash windows to create the neat, symmetrical perfection people seemed to love in this city. Liam’s place was on the top floor, quite ironic really, when you consider that would’ve been the servants’ quarters back in the day. I’d only been here a few times previously, but I remembered Liam wasn’t a fan of housework. He was most definitely not servant material. I hoped Chloe wouldn’t mind wading through the crap that’d no doubt litter the floor when we got up there.
I had no idea if Liam would be home, but my thoughts were soon answered when we reached the top of the stairs and I saw Justin standing in the open doorway to the apartment. His eyes were bloodshot, and his pupils were fixed and dilated.
“You’re fucking high. Jesus, Justin, you couldn’t stay clean for a few weeks at least?”
“Nice to see you too, Ryley.” He gritted his teeth. “Not a lot to stay clean for these days, but then I don’t expect you to care.”