The Right Side of My Pillow, стр. 39
Elise frowned. “Yes. You know him?”
“Yeah. He lived in the same group home as Jade. My mother used to run the place.”
She couldn’t hide the horrified look on her face. “Group home?”
Kevin shook his head. “You didn’t know your lover boy was raised in a group home?” He laughed. “Cole might have millions now, but back then he was just a snot nosed kid thinking he was better than the rest of us.”
Elise stuttered. “W-well…he’s done pretty well for himself.”
Clearly agitated he responded. “Is there a point? What the hell do you want from me?”
Elise sat back in her chair and crossed her arms. “I want Jade Lockwood out of my life.”
Kevin tapped his fingers on the table. “Just how am I supposed to manage that? If you hadn’t noticed, I’m locked up, and that bitch is the reason I’m in here.”
“Then you should want some revenge. From what I can tell, the two of you have had a pretty contentious relationship. It seems every time you’ve tried to contact her, she runs away.”
“That’s bullshit. I’ve only ever attempted to save my marriage. She never gave me or us a real chance.”
“Well, maybe when you get out you can change that.”
“She divorced me and had me locked up. The only thing I want is for her is to experience the same kind of hell I’ve experienced while being in here.”
“Here is your chance to make that happen. You’re scheduled to get out of here tomorrow.”
“How the hell do you know when I’m scheduled to be released?”
Elise rolled her eyes. “You’ve got to know I have friends in high places. All I am going to say is lucky for you this prison has a problem with overpopulation. Otherwise, you’d be here at least another three years before you would be up for parole. Now, back to why I am here in the first place. I want Jade gone. Of course, I wouldn’t ask you to do anything crazy or illegal, but I want her out of my way.”
“Ten years is a long time. Yet, somehow Jade and Cole still managed to find their way to each other. After all I did for her that shit just kills me!”
“Then do something about it. Here.” Elise gave Kevin a card. “That’s information you’ll need about Jade. Where she works, her cell phone number…” Elise paused as she sneered. “I can’t believe after only a few short weeks; the girl has weaseled her way completely into his life.”
“They were pretty tight back in the day pretending to be like brother and sister. Jade was in love with Cole the entire time. It was obvious the way she looked at him.” Kevin wasn’t stupid. He had every intention of making both of them pay for messing up his life. Elise was oblivious. “Say, I do this. What’s in it for me?”
“Other than an early release from prison?”
Kevin continued to stare at her.
“Fine. What do you want?”
“What do you think I want?”
Elise sighed. “How much?”
“Fifty thousand.”
“That’s a lot of money.”
“Just because I’m in prison, don’t treat me like I’m stupid. That’s a bargain, and you know it.”
“Fine. Fifty thousand. Half upfront and the rest when she’s gone.”
It was Kevin’s turn to sit back in his chair as a satisfied grin appeared on his face. “Don’t worry your pretty little head. I promise you, I’ll take care of this situation as soon as I get out. Just make sure I get my money.”
Chapter 23
Jade was in a hurry to find her bag so that she wouldn’t be late for work. It had been sitting on her dresser, and her keys were in it too. “I know I left them in here somewhere.”
She made a quick turn around and saw it on the floor next to her nightstand. She rushed to grab it up before running out of the door and down the stairs.
Cole happened to be coming around the corner, and they almost crashed into one another. “You’re in a big hurry.”
“I’m going to be late for work.”
“At the restaurant?”
“You know that’s the only job I have.”
He didn’t like it. He had never liked her working there. He folded his arms. “Let me make you a proposition.”
Jade hopped on one foot trying to put her other shoe on. “Can we talk about it later?”
“Quit.”
Jade stopped moving and stared at him as if he had two heads. She stood absolutely still. “Quit? What do you mean?”
“I mean quit.”
The panic that started to seize her was powerful. “I’m not going to quit my job, Cole.”
“Why? You hate it, and you don’t need to work. I can take care of you.”
Jade started to walk past him and towards the garage door. She raised her voice. “We’ve been together for three days, and you’re already trying to tell me what to do? I refuse to be completely dependent on any man ever again. No…not me. I won’t be beholden or a prisoner.”
He grabbed her arm before she could walk out of the door. “Is that what you think I want to do?” Jade flinched as if he’d hit her.
Immediately, he dropped her arm. Her scars were more than skin deep. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…”
Jade pushed past him and rushed out of the house into the garage. Her body trembled all over as she opened the car door. She turned the ignition and tore out of the garage like a bat out of hell.
*****
When Jade arrived at work, her eyes were puffy and red. Brenda noticed immediately. She took Jade’s hand in hers and pulled her into the ladies’ room. Brenda was alarmed. “What’s going on Jade?”
“I…I just had all of my prayers answered, but I think I’m messing it up.” Her face was stricken with pain. “I don’t know what to do.”
Brenda checked underneath all of