Blaze & Bind (Surrender to Them 10)

“You don’t want me around?” She followed me towards the building while Liam worked to dislodge a suitcase that was jammed between the seats.

“I didn’t say that.” I looked over at her. “I’m surprised you even wanted to move in—especially after what happened between us.”

“You mean when you decided to become the world’s biggest asshole?” She stepped into the elevator when the doors opened.

“Yeah, I guess that’s pretty accurate.” I sighed and walked in behind her.

It looks like Liam is going to have to catch the next one…

“You could have called, even if you didn’t want to see me again.” She hit the button for the second floor. “I expected that much, at least.”

“I k

now, but as you said—I became the world’s biggest asshole.” I sighed under my breath and waited for the elevator to carry us upstairs. “I’m sorry about that, but I know an apology doesn’t mean much when it’s two years late.”

“No, it doesn’t.” She shook her head back and forth. “I guess it’s a start though.”

The elevator opened, and we started carrying her stuff towards Apartment 2B. We dropped everything in the living room and passed Liam on the way back downstairs. I didn’t know what to make of Rachel’s demeanor. I expected her to be a lot angrier, especially when I saw how she reacted when she saw me for the first time since the night I took her virginity. She seemed almost numb to it like I was a stranger that had never shared a bed with her. Maybe that was the best-case scenario if we were going to be living together, even if it was only going to be for a month. Liam and I helped her clean Billy’s old room with disinfectant wipes until it was almost as good as new. She decided not to throw away his stuff, even though that was my suggestion. She packed everything that she didn’t want to keep in the apartment in the back seat of her car and left to take it to her Dad’s house.

“This doesn’t seem to be as awkward as I expected.” Liam looked over at me after Rachel’s car pulled away.

“No, but that worries me a little bit.” I turned towards the apartment building and sighed. “She should be a lot angrier with me—I know I would be if I was in her shoes.”

“Let’s not overanalyze it.” Liam shrugged. “The rent is paid, and things are set for the next month. We can figure everything else out before then.”

“Yeah.” I nodded.

“Hey.” A rather gruff voice nearly startled me, and I looked to see a large man approaching. “Are you Billy Lawson’s friends?”

“Uh, yeah?” Liam tilted his head to the side.

“Where the fuck is he?” The man’s face twisted into a somewhat menacing snarl.

“I don’t know. Who the fuck are you?” I took a step forward.

“I’m the guy that is here to collect all of the fucking money he owes Robert Townsend.” The man’s jaw tightened. “When you see Billy, tell him that this is the only friendly visit he’s going to get.”

“Hey…” I took another step forward as the man turned to walk away. “We don’t know where Billy is. He skipped town.”

Now I think I know why…

The man didn’t respond; he just walked away from us with each step he took slamming into the pavement with a purpose. I had no idea who he was, but I knew who Robert Townsend was—by reputation at least. He was the kind of man that nobody did business with unless they could pay him back with interest—missing a payment wasn’t an option. If Billy owed money to a man like that, it was no wonder he skipped town. I knew Billy liked to gamble, which was part of why he was always broke, but I had no idea he was borrowing money from anyone except his father. I had a worried expression on my face, and when I looked over to Liam, I saw the same reaction. We walked back into the building, but I was feeling a lot of uneasiness in my stomach. I doubted Robert Townsend was just going to take our word for it that Billy had skipped town.

Changing our address might not be the worst option in the world right now, but we don’t have anything to do with this. I need to try at least to make sure Robert Townsend knows that before we get a visit that is—less friendly than the one we just got.

5

Rachel

Later that day

“Okay, I think I’ve got everything situated.” I walked out into the living room and noticed Gerard putting on his coat. “Where are you going?”

“There’s something I need to take care of. I’ll be back in a little while.” He slid his arms into his jacket and started walking towards the door with a scowl on his face.

“He doesn’t look happy.” I sat down across from Liam.

“No, but hopefully it isn’t a big deal.” Liam sighed and shrugged.