Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 122609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 409(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 409(@300wpm)
“And what is it that ya owe him?”
“Oh, you don’t know? But I thought you two had an iron-clad friendship. I thought best friends didn’t keep secrets, or tell lies. Looks like James has a hidden arrow for his bow.” She winked at him, then smiled.
“…Get tha fuck out of my car.”
The broad-shouldered boulder of a man was at her side of the car in half a second. Reaching in, he yanked her out with brute force. He marched her up to James’ front door, tugging and dragging her, shoved her against the siding of the house, then placed his thumb over a red laser. Once the scan was complete, the door unlocked and they stepped inside. The delicious aroma of food drifted from the kitchen, and the sounds of ‘Street’, by Doja Cat, greeted them.
Billy grabbed her wrists to remove the handcuffs. As they jangled in the monster’s grip, a shadow appeared and there stood James, wearing a dark red tank top and jeans, barefooted. His hair was a bit messy, but it gave him a rather relaxed look. He was holding a bottle of beer and as he drew closer, an unmistakable smile creased his face.
“How was work?” he asked, as if she were his wife coming home from a grueling gig.
She shot Billy a glance and wondered if she should report what a fucker he was. She thought better of it when she realized she was in the middle of playing a game. That wasn’t the right move. She could feel it in her gut. Save it. Timing is everything.
“Work? Great. It turned out well. I, uh, I do need to email the owner the photos, edit them, and—”
“Fine.” James waved her off and nodded dismissively. Odd. “I will make sure you do that.” He raised his chin at Billy and approached the man. The two began to talk and she could only snatch a word here and there from the conversation.
“She … photos … kitchen … too much…”
When they were finished, Billy shot her a menacing look, then turned on his heels and left. When the front door closed, James grabbed her chin and squeezed it while looking into her eyes.
“Billy says you were naughty today. Did something happen?” His tone was calm and cool. His grip hard, but not painful. “Tell the truth, baby.”
Baby?
“Billy is an asshole but no, I wasn’t naughty, whatever that is supposed to mean. I’m not a child. I did what I was supposed to do. I worked and left. Nothing more.” She pulled away from his grip and took a couple of steps back. “Now I’m here. I’m back.”
“I think Billy is jealous of you…” There was that smirk again, bigger than ever.
“Jealous of me? Why? Is he in love with you?” she asked in half jest.
“Now why would that be the first thing to come to your mind? Love?”
Warmth spread all over her body. Her face was on fire.
“Well, you know, I’m just saying that usually if someone is jealous, it’s a love thing, and he was sure to tell me about how close you two are.”
“Come into the dining room. Have some lunch,” he offered without acknowledging her statements. Cutting her off cold.
Moments later, she was seated in the black and white room at a large round table with circular white leather booth seating. In the center of the table sat a large crystal bowl filled with clear fruit—glass pears, apples, and the like. It was beautiful. The kind of thing she could look at for a long while and daydream as she did. She’d never been in the dining room, and found herself sinking into comfort.
A woman with olive skin and jet-black hair pulled back in a short ponytail came out of nowhere, wearing a traditional maid outfit. She offered a gentle smile as she placed a napkin across her lap, set out a wine glass, and lit a candle on one of the side tables in the room. She did the same for James, then disappeared out of the room. As Honey sat there trying to make sense of this gesture, being fed and in such a nice way, the maid returned and served their food.
Roasted duck. It was falling off the bone. Carrots. Potatoes in a rich broth. Red wine was poured in their glasses.
They began to eat, both silent for a long while. She’d learned the hard way that her typical tactics didn’t work on this man. A new strategy was at play. She would let him lead and she’d zigzag through his direction, digging holes and pitfalls. Create doubt and feed his paranoia—but with truth, not lies.
“Carmen, honey… Come here, please,” he yelled out the woman’s name. The maid returned by his side so quickly, it was as if she’d been tethered there the whole time.