Part 26 (1/2)

He didnt flinch, but his eyes narrowed like he caught me. ”Against who? Gage? Where was he today, Regan? He didnt make it to your appointment.” He dropped his gaze to my stomach. ”His priorities are going to get him put in jail. You have to be the one to make the right choice if you want that baby to stand a chance at a decent life.”

I heard the truth in his words, but I couldnt show that to him.

He stepped back, letting me go. ”Nows the time to decide. Whats it going to be?”

I didnt hesitate. I turned and walked away from him without looking back.

The moment I stepped into the condo and locked the door, my mask burst and all strength left me. My stomach clenched with nerves that wrecked me. I tried calling Gage repeatedly, but his phone went straight to voicemail.

Desperate, I called Sal.

”Mrs. Lawson, do you need a ride?”

”Are you with Gage?” I cut off his question.

”Not yet.”

”But you know where he is.”

He hesitated. ”Hes at the Dollhouse, Im on my way now. Ill tell him you called.”

I hung up and called the club. A girl answered, and when I asked for Gage, she put me on hold.

”h.e.l.lo, can I help you?” Cherrys clipped tone frayed my nerves.

”I need to speak to Gage.”

”Who is this?” She questioned, voice low.

”His wife. Its important.”

The music in the background faded and she laughed. ”Im sure it is, but were busy. Call his phone, he can decide if he wants to talk to you or not.”

Anger torched my thoughts as she hung up. I wanted to strangle her. I wanted to strangle him for not answering.

I called back, but Cherry grabbed the phone from the girl that answered the second she knew who it was.

”Look, take a hint. Hes busy. Let the adults deal with business. You can whine to him later.”

She hung up again, and I went to the room and changed, grabbing my keys and gun on the way out. I had to talk to Gage and warn him about what Anthony said, but Id also show that b.i.t.c.h she couldnt dismiss me.

The drive to the club didnt give me time to cool off. It only gave me time to replay the conversation over and over, reinforcing the anger tearing through me.

I stormed into the club on a mission, no one stopping me. The place was packed, and I couldnt see who all filled the main room, but I weaved through the tables and people, going straight to Gages office-or his old office.

The door was locked, and I banged on it with no answer.

A girl, Porsha, stopped in front of me with a smile. ”Mrs. Lawson, theyre all in the paradise lounge right now. Can I get you a drink?”

I shook my head and walked away, unable to pretend at any pleasantries.

There were several VIP lounges and the paradise room was the biggest. I was met with a wall of people when I entered. Too many to see through, and I felt claustrophobic as I weaved between men in suits and girls in barely anything. I spotted Ian sitting on the couch that ran along the far wall.

He saw me and rose to his feet, something flickering in his eyes. ”Regan, what are you doing here?” He gripped my elbow the moment he was next to me and walked me out of the room. ”Does Gage know youre here?”

”Where is he? I need to talk with him.” I went with him, hoping hed talk.

”Ill get him, but...”His nervousness was suffocating as he looked around. ”You shouldnt be here. He wont like that.”

”Just go get him.” I pulled out of his grip as we walked into the hall. Some people spotted the walls, but the open s.p.a.ce allowed me to take a breath.

Ian looked down at me with a nod. ”Yeah, okay. Ill get him, just stay here.” Instead of stepping away, he looked down the hall some. ”No, actually wait in here.” He pulled me to a smaller room and flipped on the lights, illuminating it in a soft red glow. ”Wait here.”

He walked away, and I tried to make sense of what was going on, I tried to quiet the fear screaming in me.

I couldnt stand still and went to the doorway to wait for Gage to come down the hall. But instead, what I saw made me regret leaving the condo.

Anatoli Rusnak stepped out of the Paradise room. His eyes landed on me just as retreated to hide in the room. But I realized my mistake too late. I should have stayed in the hall. I tried to step back out, but he was already at the door.

His body filled the frame, dark grey suit moving with him like a second skin. His hair was slicked back but a strand fell in his face, the only thing out of place.

”Sweetheart, I didnt think you would come here tonight.” He smiled and stepped into the room, forcing me back further.

Then he shut the door behind him, closing my escape. I stood tall, pretending that everything in me wasnt dissolving, that I was more than a puddle of fear. I let the weight of my gun, strapped to my leg under my boot, give me strength.

28: No control.

”GAGE SAID YOU WOULDNT BE HERE, BUT Im glad you are.” For every step forward he took, I couldnt stop myself from taking one back. He repelled me, and I couldnt let him get close.

My fingers by my side twitched to reach for the gun, but I didnt want to act too soon. After he was several steps into the room, I started to step to the side instead of back, hoping to make my way around to the door. My pace was slow, matching his. He was a lion that might attack at any sudden change.

”Im not staying.” I spoke just to break the silence.

He stopped walking then, eyes dropping over me. ”You should. Just because Gage doesnt have time for you, doesnt mean I dont.”

”I dont need your time.” His words lit my fuse, hitting too close to the truth. I took my chance then to walk out the door, keeping my wide arc around him.

When I reached the handle, he was suddenly there, gripping my arm, pulling me back. ”Dont go yet.”

My other arm dipped low, almost not reaching the gun as he yanked me up, but when I turned to face him, it was out and pointing at him.

”Let go of me.”