“If they even catch the killer. By having several criminals trying to get you to drop the case, it’s harder to pin down who might have ordered the hit. I promise you, Waters has people around him who think they are doing him favors when he’s setting them up.”
“We’re speculating here,” I say, “and I’d discourage that, if we didn’t have two dead witnesses and a series of questionable characters and behaviors involved.”
There are three fast knocks on the door. “Adam,” Adrian says, and he steps around me to let him in.
The next thing I know, I’m in the bathroom with two giant men and Adam’s got my briefcase on his shoulder. “I got rid of Rocketman,” he says, “but I didn’t want to leave behind your work, considering the case you’re handling.” Before I can thank him, he adds. “I couldn’t pin down his real agenda.”
“He’s a mouse on a wheel Waters is turning,” Adrian says. “I’m betting that he thinks he’s helping Waters. Waters is setting him up to look like the hitman that takes out Ed.”
“Are we really having a meeting in a bathroom?” I ask. “Should we go somewhere else?”
“We’ve had them in much worse bathrooms,” Adrian assures me right about the time my cellphone rings.
I pull it from the side pocket of my purse and glance at the number. “Waters’ attorney again. He apparently likes to call me early. I think I need to buy time for us to find Deleon.”
“Agreed,” Adrian says. “Time is good.”
I nod and answer the call with, “No decision yet on the deal.”
“Maybe we can make it more lucrative,” Daniel offers. “Three for one.”
“Who?” I ask, my eyes meeting Adrian’s. “Who’s he offering now?”
“Just offering a name gets around.”
“Because you buzzed it around,” I remind him. “I did not.”
“I didn’t buzz it around. See what I mean? Waters wants to talk to you. He’ll decide if he can risk the names when he decides if he trusts you.”
“Well, he shouldn’t trust me,” I say. “I’m not his friend.”
“But he hears you’re a woman of your word. Meet him. Maybe I can get him to give you someone even bigger.”
I hesitate, the idea of sitting down with Waters not sitting well, but then I remember that clawing feeling I had for weeks before I caught Logan with my secretary. I knew something was wrong and it ate me alive. Once I knew the truth, it hurt, but I recovered. I faced the problem and stood taller. I have to do the same now. “When?”
“Three o’clock.”
“I’ll be there.”
“Waters will be pleased,” he says, and with that, he disconnects.
I glance between Adrian and Adam. “It’s official. I’m going to meet the King Devil himself.”
Adrian catches my hand and pulls me to him, his energy taut, his expression hard. “No,” he says. “You’re not.”
“I have to do this.”
“I will tie you up and hide you away before I let you sit at a table across from that man. Do you understand me?”
I could be angry. I could push back at how alpha and controlling he’s being, but I don’t. I know that he’s lived in hell with Waters, and right now, I see those demons in his eyes, I see the torment they lay upon him every single day. And I can feel his genuine concern for me, perhaps as a man who lives his life as a protector, but I think also as a man. I press my hand to his face.
“Adrian,” I whisper. “This is just a prelude to me facing him in court. It’s good practice. People died because of this man. More will if we don’t stop him and we need to buy time to catch his hitman. I have to do this. You know I do.”
Seconds tick by and I watch those demons play in his eyes before he lowers his lashes, and I know in that moment that he knows I’m right. I have to face Waters, and the truth is, he won’t be the first monster I’ve ever known, but that’s not a detail I’d like to share right now.Chapter Twenty-ThreeADRIAN
I know Pri feels like she’s faced evil before, but Waters is evil incarnate, a man who sees an angel like Pri and wants a taste. I sure as fuck did. And yet, I know I really would have to tie her up to stop her from going and it’s not like I could keep her like that without stalling the trial. Point for Waters. It’s almost as if he knows I’m with her and into her. I hope like fuck that isn’t the case.
“Adam goes with you,” I say. “Non-negotiable.”
“If I didn’t know where this was coming from, I’d say you’re being overbearing,” she accuses. “You know that, right?”
“Damn straight, sweetheart,” I say tightly. “On all other things we can battle it out and you may even win. Judging from how things have gone between us, you will win, but not when it comes to your safety. Not this. I’m keeping you alive.”