He answers straight away, “She only comes here or home. And she’s mostly here. Lately, though, she’s been with you.”

I nod, looking around.

“What about the last girl she brought to our house?”

“Sharon. Her name was Sharon,” Ace says then looks to Benny. “Sharon here?”

“No, she isn’t on today. But they hate each other,” Benny says with conviction.

“That’s true. Issy didn’t like her much at all.” I smile.

“Where does she live?”

“She wouldn’t go there. You obviously don’t know Issy at all. She detests Sharon,” Heather says walking in overdressed much like she always is. She crosses her arms over her chest. “And Sharon hates her right back,” she states.

“You’re like a bad smell, aren’t you?” I say to her.

Heather scrunches up her nose, turns on her heels and walks away.

I spin back to look at Benny. “That address?”

He shakes his head. “You want me to give you my employee’s address?”

I step closer to him. “Technically, she’s my damn employee. So, yes, I want her address. And make it fast, old man, I have someone I need to catch before she runs.”

Benny grumbles something as he steps off to retrieve the information.

I smile, knowing I may just be one step closer to her.

It’s a small place, the sun is starting to rise. And before I get out of the car Carter places a hand on my chest stopping me. “She has a kid. Possibly three years old. Maybe we should wait?”

And that’s what we do, we wait for two hours out the front of this little cottage. I notice movement and decide it’s time to pay her a visit.

Knocking on the door, I hear a little girl’s laughter followed by Sharon smiling as she opens the door. When she notices me, she quickly tries to slam it shut. But I knew that reaction was coming, so I stop it by putting my foot between the door and the frame.

“Sharon,” I say. “I simply want to talk. No need to cause a scene. I’m not here to cause any trouble.”

“Momma, who’s that?”

“Go to your room and pack your bag, sweetie. You’ve got school today.” I hear little footsteps running before the door is pulled open slightly. Sharon looks me over. “I’m not inviting you in.”

I nod, I didn’t think she would anyway. I wouldn’t invite myself into my own home.

“You know why I’m here, right?”

Sharon crosses her hands over her chest. “No.” She holds the door half shut the whole time we speak, not wanting to open it fully.

“Come on, Sharon. You don’t want to lie to me, do you?”

Her eyes go wide as if I’ve just threatened her.

I guess I did.

Kind of.

“Who are you looking for?”

“Now Sharon… that’s the thing… I never said I was looking for anyone, now did I?”

“Why else would you be here, at my house?” she asks.

Maybe she isn’t so dumb after all.

“Is she here, Sharon?”

“Who?”

Smart girl. “Is Isadora here?”

“Why would she be here? I don’t even like her, and she sure as shit hates me.”

“But that’s the thing though, Sharon, I do. I like her. And when I like something I get very mad when I lose it. You see, I don’t lose things often, so when I do I cannot control my temper.”

“I think it’s time you left,” Sharon says, shutting the door.

But before she can shut it fully, I say, “You’ll let me know, won’t you, Sharon? If you happen to see her? It would be a shame to lose everything you’ve worked for based on a lie.” I turn before she can say another word and walk back to the car, the front door shuts and not long after one of the front curtains start to shift. I notice Sharon poke her head out to see if I’m still here. I offer her a small wave before she quickly snaps the curtain shut.

Isadora’s in there, I know it.

For two people who hate each other, they’re sure doing a good job of protecting one another.

I’ll have her back by the end of the night, and maybe then I’ll think about her punishment.

22

Isadora

Sharon’s face is red, she’s more than a little freaked out. I can’t blame her, I’ve put her in this situation. I feel absolutely fucking terrible.

“I’ll sneak out the back, he’ll never know I was here,” I say truly remorseful. I should have asked Benny more questions, I shouldn’t have brought this to her doorstep. Just because I never liked Sharon doesn’t mean I want her dead. But now I understand her a little better I feel as though I should have stayed away.

“Thugs,” she cries out while shaking her head. “And to think I wanted to be part of that world. So fucking glad I didn’t.” She picks up her daughter’s backpack, calls her name and then looks at me. “You can stay, but if you do, don’t look out the front window, and if you do decide to leave definitely leave out the back. But above all, be damn careful because they are waiting outside.”

Tags: T.L. Smith Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net