“You could have warned me that you had company!” She smacked me playfully on the arm.

“You could have warned me that you passed out so easily. Had that happened in the bedroom I would have thought I killed you.” My mind flashed to the hotel.

“Sorry” She looked down at her feet. I stepped closer, pulling her into my arms and squeezing her tightly.

“Can I ask you something?” I took a deep breath, my arms stiffened.

“Ask away”

“What did you do for the mayor that he feels he owes you?” She looked up to me.

“If it wasn’t for me he would have never made it through college. I tutored him, helped keep him on track.” I smiled at her and squeezed her closer.

“Here I thought you helped him bury a hooker or something.” She joked. I laughed and stared over her.

“No, the dead hookers didn’t start to pile up until after he became mayor.” She bit her lip and slapped me playfully on the chest.

“Where are you going to come up with the kind of money she is asking for on a professor’s salary?” She asked. I let go of her and ran my hands though my hair. She was asking too many questions.

“My father. In fact, he is the reason she and I didn’t last in the first place.” I shook my head. “Abby started turtoring me senior year. I was more into hanging out with my friends and getting in trouble. I didn’t take my grades seriously. One night one thing lead to another. I’ll spare you the details but my father found out that we were seeing each other. He went to Abby and offered her money to stay away from me.” I stared off at the wall. “She took it and never looked back. To add insult to injury she began flaunting some new guy around town. Everywhere I went I saw them together. It wasn’t until college when she called me and begged for me to come see her. We dated for a few months.” I glanced down at the floor, “ We ran off to Vegas on a whim and got married. Everything was perfect again until I found out my father had paid her. She begged for me to stay with her but I couldn’t. Now she wants to make my life miserable.” I looked her in the eye to gauge her reaction.

“I’m so sorry.” She stepped closer but I put up my hand to stop her.

“I don’t want to be pitied, Emma. It was a long time ago. I just want this bitch out of my life once and for all.”

“So, if your father is rich, why are you working as a professor?”

“I don’t know. I tutored all through college and I really enjoyed it. There was something really fulfilling about seeing that look on someone’s face when they understand something new.” I smiled. “Plus, I like to be in control, but I’m sure you noticed that. I don’t want to ever get hurt like that again.” I ran my fingers down the length of her jaw and smacked her playfully on her bottom with my other hand.

“Ouch!” She jumped and I pulled her body against mine.

“I think I answered enough questions for one day.” I ran my thumb over her bottom lip.

We spent the next few hours in bed together.

“Go take a nice long bath. I’ll make us something to eat.” I kissed her quickly on the forehead and made my way into the kitchen to prepare something to eat.

“That smells delicious!” She said as she sat down at the kitchen island and twirled her wet hair into a bun.

“Thanks” I sat a plate down in front of her. Cheese ravioli in a mushroom sauce. One of my favorite dishes. I watched her clean her plate and I could barely stand to eat a bite.

“Not hungry?” She asked, pulling me from my thoughts.

“I was just thinking about how money changes people.” Lie. Money doesn’t change people. You are either good or bad, kind or greedy, dominant or submissive. Her eyebrows knitted together as she thought that over.

“I wouldn’t do that to you. I’m not that kind of person. I’m not her.” She said, putting her hand on mine. She thought I was talking about Abby. I laced my fingers in hers and gave her hand a squeeze. After a moment, she let go of my hand and went off to the bedroom. She reappeared with her cell phone pressed to her ear.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“Aunt Judy? I won’t be home tonight.” She smiled at me. She endd the call and sat the phone down, raising her eyebrow at me. She turned and walked towards the elevator. She stepped inside and disappeared behind the doors.

I got up from my stool and rinsed our dishes in the sink. I grabbed the bourbon and poured a quick drink as I thought of Emma alone, upstairs. I smirked and emptied my glass, setting it back down on the counter. I headed towards the elevator. My pulse began to race as I got closer. The doors opened and I gave myself a minute for my eyes to adjust. Then I saw her, spead out on a table and waiting for me. Perfection. I began to unhook my belt as I drank in her beauty.

“You certainly know how to make me feel better.” I said as I slid his pants over my hips. I spent the next hour torturing and teasing her until she wanted to scream. “Say it” I whispered in her ear as I hovered over her. She pulled against the restraints. “Say it!” I ordered.

“I love you” She panted. I thrust himself into her and she cried out at the sudden pain. I didn’t slow. I needed this and she was willing to give it to me.

“I love you” I whispered in her ear. Her body pulsed and tightened around me. I thrust into her again. Again. I finished falling lazily on top of her. I trailed kisses over her face as I undid her wrists. Once freed, her arms wrapped aound my neck and held my mouth to hers.

My phone rang out in the darkness. Her arms squeezed me tighter.

“I have to get it. It may be my lawyer.” Her arms relaxed and I was able to get up. I answered my phone as I watched her unlock her ankles. My lawyer rambled in my ear about payoffs. I watched her slip on her clothes. It was just a big of a turn on as when she took them off. I put my hand on the small of her back and led her to the elevator.

“I don’t give a f**k about the money. I want her out of my life.” I ran my hands through my hair. If the money did not keep her away I would find a more permanent solution. We stepped out of the elevator and Emma headed for the bathroom. I sighed, relieved to have some privacy.

“There is nothing to stop her from coming back for more. I can’t help you if you don’t tell me what is going on.” Mr. Daniels pleaded with me. I gritted my teeth.

“What the f**k do I pay you for?” I growled and threw the phone on the couch. I sunk down, resting my head in my hands.

I didn’t hear Emma coming. I felt the couch sink down next to me and her hand rubbed my back. I sat up and grabbed her wrist.

“Don’t” I hissed. She looked at me as if I had stabbed her in the heart. She pulled back and slid across the couch.

“It’s okay.” She whispered. “You have a lot on your mind.” I shook my head. I was pushing away the one person I wanted to protect.

“I know it’s not fair to you and I am trying, but it is hard for me to get close to people.” I explained. It also wasn’t safe for me to get close to people. Not for them anyway.

“I’m here, no matter how long it takes. I’m not going anywhere.” I looked her in the eye and nodded. “So…what did your lawyer have to say?” Her face sad with worry.

“He doesn’t think I should pay her. He thinks I should give up my job.” I looked away, wondering if I could change things, would I?

“What do you want to do?” She leaned closer but still kept a reasonable distance between us.

“I don’t know. I don’t want to give her another f**king dime, but I don’t want to quit my job. She wins either way.” I threw my hands in the air. I should have let her rot on that bathroom floor. She would have died soon enough had I not thought the baby could be saved.

I knew what I had to do but I wasn’t sure I could face her and not lay hands on her. I grabbed my phone and paced the floor as I called.

“I’ll get you the f**king money but if I ever see your face again, or if you come near Emma I will f**king kill you.” I meant every f**king word of it.

“Will, I..you..you don’t mean that.” She was on the verge of tears. If I was going to make her cry I wanted it to be in person so I could watch. I hung up the phone and headed into my room to grab my shoes and a jacket. I was going to put an end to this now.

“Where are we going?” To hell was the first thing that crossed my mind. Emma was off the couch and walking towards me.

“You are staying here.” It wasn’t up for debate. I cupped her face in his hands and tried to soften my expression. “ I am going to go pay Abby and get her out of our lives.” I kissed her softly on the forehead, holding it an extra second just in case it is the last time. I wanted to kill Abby. I wanted to ensure she would never be a problem again. “Have you thought anymore about where we are going after graduation?” I asked, trying to direct her thoughts elsewhere. She looked confused. “What?”

“You still want to go?” She must have assumed I only asked her because of the note. She had no idea the other skeletons in my closet.

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I? Just pick some place warm. I want you naked as much as possible.” I grinned wickedly and turned to leave. “Don’t answer the door for anyone.” I warned and locked it. I knew I couldn’t kill Abby, at least not now. I had left a trail, starting with my lawyer that leads to my front door. I would have to use a different approach.

I called Stephen and told him to come get me. I pulled Emma’s car around the corner while I waited, just in case someone stopped by. He arrived moments later and we made our way downtown. Crowds were forming waiting to get into clubs. Where there were partiers, there would be drugs. I parked and walked up to two young guys hanging on the corner by the liquor shop.

“Hey, you holding?” I asked with a nod. One of the guys walked behind me, looking for anyone who might be within ear shot. He came back and nodded to his buddy.

“Yeah, man. Whatchyu need?”

I whiped my nose to make it look more believable. I had done this many times in the past and knew how to play the game.

“Hook me up with an 8 ball.” We made the exchange and I shoved it in my pocket quickly and headed back to Stephen’s car.

“What the f**k? What are you doing?” He was terrified. I didn’t expect anything different from Stephen. I was the one always looking out for both of us.

“I’m going to kill her with kindness.” I said, giving him a hard look. We pulled off and didn’t speak another word. I texted Abby and got the location for the meet. I knew it would be a hotel since she still lived in California. How fitting. Her message came back that she was at Seaside Motel. It was only a few blocks away. I had been there a time or two before.

We pulled into the parking lot as my phone rang. It was Emma.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, glancing over at Stephen who pretended to be distracted by something outside of the car.

“Angela is here!” She whispered in a panic.

“Shit. She probably saw my car downstairs and thinks I am avoiding her.”

“Your car is downstairs? How did you…”

“Stephen picked me up. He wanted to go with me for the exchange of money. Just stay inside and be quiet. She will leave soon.” I hoped she wouldn’t question me further. Stephen and I were in this mess together and would finish it that way.

“Okay. What about my car?” I could hear knocking at the door in the background.

“I moved it before I left. It is parked around the building. Emma, I’m sorry about all of this.” I waited for a reply, clenching my jaw.

“No worries” She said and after a moment the line went dead. Stephen looked at me for conformation that we were going through with this. I nodded and got out of the car.

I walked inside one of the side doors and made my way to room 213. Abby answered, leaning flirtatiously on the door, wearing a short skirt and tight white tank, no bra. I looked her up and down and she smiled before holding the door open wide for me to get in.

“I missed you.” She purred. I could tell she had been drinking. I didn’t turn around or respond. She came up behind me and slid her hand around me, runing it down my stomach. “You bring me something?” I knew she was anxious to get her hands on the cash. I didn’t bring any.

“Of course I did.” I turned around slowly and pulled the coke from my pocket. “For old times sake.” I grinned. She put her hands up to refuse, but she bit her lip and I knew it wouldn’t take much to persuade her.

“Come on Abby.” I stepped closer. “If I recall, you and I had some pretty good times.” She smiled and brushed her hair back from her face. “Just a taste?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. She giggled and nodded her head. “Good girl” I made my way over to the dresser and began cutting lines. Abby put on some low music and was pouring us a drink. I drank my shot and and pulled a one-hundred dollar bill from my wallet. I rolled it between my fingers and held it out to her. “Ladies first” She giggled and licked her lips, staring into my eyes. I smiled back and nudge the bill closer to her. She took it like an excited kid at Christmas. I knew once I got her started she wouldn’t be able to stop. She glanced back at me one last time before the line disappeared beneath her. She sat up, touching her finger tips to her nose as her eyes fluttered.

“Thank you” She said as she passed me the bill.

“There is nothing I wouldn’t do…” I grinned. She had no idea. I took the bill from her hand. I had committed at least nine crimes already today, one more wouldn’t change anything. My thoughts flashed to Emma. I saw her smiling, biting her lip. I closed my eyes and leaned over, snorting my line quickly.