A room, as in one?
I should probably ask him if he plans on us sharing a room. I’m fine with it … I think. The thought of staying in a room by myself tonight doesn’t sound comforting. I don’t want to be alone, but being with him makes all kinds of expectations come to my mind.
I know he’s not James, but I am still processing the kisses we shared this morning. When I ran into his outstretched arms, his lips on mine just happened, like we were celebrating my freedom. I didn’t give his kisses a thought. They were natural and spontaneous. Now, as I reflect back on them, there’s no denying I would love to have the security of his arms holding me tight while his lips speak encouraging words.
Sin re-attaches the box’s top and begins looking over the various papers on the bed. They seem official and legal-sized. I glance over them and see the mention of attorneys and James Elliott.
“What are these?” I ask as Sin shuffles through them, reading page after lengthy page.
“Holy shit,” he exclaims. “Settlements. Out of court settlements with James and women. See this part?” Sin points to the words on the paper and I read them, but the number written out stops me. Ten million.
“He paid off a woman who was accusing him of sexually harassing her at work. She claims he stalked her and wouldn’t leave her alone,” Sin says in a rush. “I am going to fax this to my family attorney back in New York. This is all we need to secure your freedom from him in your life. If The Clinic gets word that he was stalking a nurse who worked in his department, he will lose his job and all his prestige. His career would be over.” A look of victory radiates over Sin’s face.
“And he can’t touch you or your career. Promise me,” I beg.
“We are both fine.” He reaches down and kisses me on my forehead. “It’s our ace. There’s no way he will risk his reputation and job. I would bet my life on it. His office is down the hall. I’ll fax these papers and we can get out of here.”
Sin leaves the room and I remove the top of the box with my name on it, emboldened by what Sin has found to hang over James’ head. What’s to fear from James’ wrath now? I want to know the secrets he might have stashed away, though a part of me fears what lies inside. At this point, I wouldn’t put anything past James.
Before I can get past a few papers on the top of the box, I hear Sin’s footsteps coming down the hall toward the bedroom. I glance over at the door and Sin enters with his papers in one hand and phone in the other.
“We need to clear out stat! I don’t want to be here if James walks in the door.”
Neither do I.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Sin
“Where the fuck are you two?” James screams into the phone. I pull it away from my ear, grimacing. I expected nothing less from him, though. I took his shiny toy away from him and he is having a tantrum.
“Where I am is of no concern to you,” I reply, my voice deadpan. I have no desire to engage in a shouting match with him.
“I’m going to destroy you, Sin. Mark my words. You’ll be lucky to get a job sweeping the sidewalks in New York City once I settle this score. You’re a stupid fool. And all for a little * that belongs to me. I want her back by five o’clock at my house today. Or I will call my contact in the city and your residency at Columbia will evaporate before your eyes. Poof!” James ends with a lovely spit sound into the phone. I just smile to myself, knowing I’m holding my get-of-James’-wrath card.
“Before you make that call, I need to see you in your office. I have a little something of yours. A legal document concerning a woman named Meghan. Ring a bell?” The line goes silent until James sighs.
“How did you find out about her?” Knowing he’s been caught, he doesn’t deny anything. The secret life he has lived abusing women will come to an end if I have anything to do with it.
“Does that even matter at this point?” He’ll discover Harlow’s box missing from his safe and know how I came upon this information, but I need him to meet me and the less information I give him now will make him agree to my terms. He understands I hold information that could forever alter his life and destroy him.
“Does Harlow know?” James asks in a hushed voice. Why does he even care at this point? I find the question odd.
“You’ve lost the right to even mention her name. Understand?” I say with a firm rebuke. Harlow strokes my shoulder and I lean into her touch. A trail of sensation skims over my back as she moves farther. I stare into her clear blue eyes and see gratitude in them.
“Okay. Okay,” James sighs. “When do you want to meet?”