14. Hartley

14

HARTLEY

Jordan and I followed Vail with guards behind us. I rubbed Vail’s back as he kneeled on the tiled floor, grateful for the cleanliness of the hotel. Why I thought about that was because it was easier than the idea of Gil knowing exactly what he was doing by putting his property up for auction. Whatever I could focus on that wasn’t him was preferable. Otherwise, the murderous side of me would come out.

Vail sat on his ass, his back resting against the stall wall while I flushed the toilet. Sweat dotted his brow. His lips were parted to suck in breath after breath. I crouched in front of him to smooth his hair from his face. Without opening his eyes, Vail took my hand in his and held it tight to his chest.

A commotion in the hallway brought my eyes to Jordan’s, who stood towering over us, a protective force from anyone who tried to get near. His jaw clenched before he turned and strode toward the door.

“Mr. Altair,” I heard a woman say. “What’s happened?”

The door shut slowly, muffling their voices.

I focused on Vail. “Deep breaths.”

“Why does he haunt me?” Vail whispered. “Wherever I go, he’s there without standing in front of me.”

“He knows how to hurt you, emotionally and physically.” The thought of everything Vail had been through made me want to take a turn emptying the contents of my stomach into the toilet.

Vail’s eyes opened, tears pooling in them. “Why won’t he leave me alone?”

“Because he’s fucking crazy. We won’t let him get near you though.”

“Don’t you see? He is. He did this on purpose.” A tear broke free and slid down his cheek.

Where was Gil and a gun when I needed it? I’d gladly spend my life in prison if it meant removing that asshole from the earth. Then again, I wouldn’t have to because Jordan would have someone dispose of the body and clean up the evidence. I’d spend my life with Jordan and Vail and not feel an ounce of guilt about what I did. Was that how Jordan felt all the time? He didn’t seem to carry around guilt for the lives he’d taken, except for his wife and Malik.

“I want it to stop,” Vail cried. “Hart, make it stop.”

Leaning forward, I embraced him the best I could.

The door opened; Jordan reentered the bathroom. His hand gripped the metal stall door until his knuckles turned white as he looked down at us. “The cabin was a last-minute donation, submitted three days ago under a fake name. Get up. We’re leaving.”

Vail released me to wipe his eyes. We both stood and Vail dove for Jordan, embracing him. While Jordan held Vail, Jordan’s eyes were on mine. There was a promise of death in them. Jordan didn’t want to go against Vail’s wishes, but how much could he take before he did what he wanted and killed Gil? If he could find him, that was. We still didn’t know where he was.

“No,” Vail said as he pulled away. “I won’t let him take anything else from me tonight. I came here to have a nice evening with you and Hart. To help raise money.”

“Vail…” Jordan whispered. He brushed Vail’s tears away. This man, this tough as hell guy, was so gentle when he touched Vail and me.

“I mean it. I want to stay. I’d like some mouthwash though.”

“Reghan,” Jordan barked.

The door opened, Reghan peeking his head in. “Yes, sir?”

“Find some mouthwash for Vail.”

Reghan nodded and left.

Vail moved to the sink to splash cold water on his face. “I can’t keep running, as much as I want to.” I handed him a soft towel that sat on the corner of the sink. “He does this shit because he can.”

“He’s still alive,” I said, stating the obvious. God, I was smart sometimes.

Vail’s gaze went to Jordan. “You can’t.”

Jordan’s response was to clench his jaw. Again.

“You were already in jail once since we’ve been together. I don’t want to see you in there ever again. Whether or not you’d get caught. I can’t handle it.”

“And if he were to threaten your life?” Jordan asked. “If he stood before me with a knife to your throat or a gun to your head, you’d ask me to do nothing?”

Vail leaned heavily against the sink. “If Gil was in danger of taking a life, then and only then could you kill him.”

The door opened, Reghan entering with a travel bottle of mouthwash.

“Thank you,” Vail said and took it from him to clean his mouth.

“Marlie is still outside, waiting to speak with you again, sir,” Reghan stated.

Vail took Jordan’s hand in his. “Let’s return to the party. Gil isn’t here, right?”

“No. My men swept the room, the halls, the entire first floor. Em assured me he isn’t staying here either. Gil’s face has been plastered all over the media in the city. If he was here, someone would have recognized him.”

“Okay then. Let’s enjoy the rest of the evening.”

“Are you sure?”

“There’s nowhere I’d rather be than with you and Hart.” He turned before Jordan could say anything else. Reghan held the door open.

Outside the bathroom, I saw a woman in a pale lilac gown that hugged her waist, flared at the hips, and flowed to the floor so only her toes were visible. The gown shimmered with her every movement. It was stunning, and so was she in it.

“The item has been removed from the table,” she said as soon as Jordan emerged. “I’m not sure how it got past us, but it won’t happen again.”

“Please don’t stress yourself over this,” Vail told her. “You didn’t know. Thank you for removing it from the auction.”

“Of course. I wouldn’t want to upset Mr. Altair or either of you.”

“Marlie, I know it wasn’t intentional,” Jordan added. “Vail’s right. You had no idea. I’m sorry if my anger got the best of me before. I shouldn’t have raised my voice. You didn’t deserve that.”

“If the situation had been reversed, I would have been just as upset. But I accept your apology. Thank you.”

Vail offered Marlie his arm. “Could you direct me to your favorite item up for bid? I didn’t have time to view everything yet.”

She slipped her arm through his and began talking about a local jeweler who had donated a custom design. Vail listened raptly as they returned to the ballroom. Only a few guests turned our way when we entered, the rest were content to dance, drink, and browse the auction.

I took Jordan’s arm in mine. Together, we followed behind Vail and Marlie as they looked over the tables. I had little to spare in terms of money to spend, but I did bid on a few smaller items, wanting to do my part. One day I’d be able to contribute more.

The rest of the evening went well. While Vail would glance around occasionally, he seemed more settled than before. I hated the fear in his eyes though. The doubt that he was truly safe. One piece of shit human did this to him and continued to do it without being there.

I couldn’t help thinking of my brother. If he had been there when Gil was hurting Vail, he would have been livid. Forest had been Vail’s protector from the beginning, even when he didn’t need one. That was who Forest was. At least back then. Forest now had enough of his own problems; he couldn’t help anyone else.

He said he wanted to move here to be closer to us. I wouldn’t believe him until I saw him. Forest said a lot of things. Following through with them was a different story.

Vail squeezed my thigh, pulling me back to the present. We were finally on our way home, me in the back with Vail while Jordan rode up front. “Are you okay?”

“Just thinking about Forest.” Once I said it, I felt like shit. I should be here for Vail, not letting my brother occupy my thoughts.

“Don’t,” Vail said, like he could read my mind. “I’m fine. I was tripped up tonight but I’m okay now. We could call Forest to see how he’s doing.”

“If he’s drunk when he answers, I’ll feel awful. I’d rather hang on to the illusion he’ll move out here, and I’ll get my brother back in my life in a good way.” I didn’t need someone to take care of. If that was what Forest thought was going to happen when he moved here, he was wrong. But if he genuinely wanted to be around Vail and me, I was all for it. I loved my brother and missed the hell out of him.

Vail reached into his pocket to pull out his phone. It vibrated and lit up in the car’s interior. He didn’t say a word, but he didn’t need to. Tears welled in his eyes. Leaning close, I saw the text on the screen from an unknown number that read: You should have bid on the cabin, darling. We have so many fond memories there.

“Jordan,” I whispered.

“Yes?”

“Vail, can I?” I motioned to the phone. He nodded. Carefully, I took it from Vail and handed it to Jordan.

Jordan lifted his own phone to his ear. “Gil texted Vail. We have proof he’s alive.” There was a pause for whoever he spoke to on the other end of the line. “Will do.” Jordan hung up, then turned to Albert. We were pulling into the garage. “Go to the police station.” Albert didn’t hesitate to turn around. Both SUVs followed us as Jordan sent a text.

“Vail.” Jordan turned in his seat. “I know you don’t want to talk about him, but we have to keep everything by the book with this. Lana is sending Em to the station since she’s not able to get here. This text proves he’s alive. The item up for bid could have been submitted by anyone with a fake name on it. The text is different.”

Vail nodded. “I understand. It clears your name.”

“I was cleared anyway, baby. This is so we can protect you.”

“I have you and Hart, plus your men. I’m safe.”

“It’s good to have it documented. Marlie also sent me the email she received for the cabin listing. I’ll present that as evidence as well, so they can see it.” Jordan didn’t hand back the phone, not that I blamed him. Vail was already sick once tonight over Gil.

We pulled up to the station, Albert staying with the car. Oleander jumped out of the SUV behind us, as did Sheldon. The others would wait outside. Vail’s bond with the two guards grew daily. They were both protective of him.

As soon as we entered the building, officers were on their feet. Jordan was the one who spoke, saying he had evidence Gil was alive and obviously well from the text he sent. We were ushered into a room without Oleander and Sheldon, where Jordan said he wouldn’t say another word without his lawyer present. Emeric arrived within minutes of us taking our seats.

I was nothing more than an audience to what took place, keeping Vail’s hand in mine. I wasn’t sure if I should be in here or not. It didn’t directly affect me. As long as Vail held my hand tight, I’d stay where I was.

The officers were kind to Vail and cold to Jordan, not that I expected any different. I just had to hope they took this seriously. Gil was taunting Vail.

The officers saw it and said it was in violation of the protection from abuse, if it was him. There was no solid proof it was, since it was from an unknown number. I couldn’t help but wonder if the cops thought we did this. That we created the text to further prove Jordan’s innocence. How they could look at Vail, at the haunted look in his eyes and question that, I didn’t know. At least he made a record of it with the police.