“Not Scarlet,” he whispers, like he’s finally convinced himself. It’s a good thing David mentioned all these little things. “Do everything Reid knows Scarlet hates,” He’d said. “Drink red wine, wear dowdy clothes. He’ll soon convince himself you’re not who you are.”
“Pardon me?” I ask.
“Nothing,” he answers, taking a sip of his drink. “So, you’re a psychologist, huh? I bet that’s interesting work.”
I notice his perusal of my attire. Just like David had advised, I went out and bought a lot of plain white or frilly shirts and long grey pencil skirts. Enough to show him I have a body underneath—to possibly entice him—but not enough that he’ll immediately want to jump my bones the moment he sees me.
“It is interesting. I meet a lot of characters.”
“What brings you to Spain?”
I shrug. “A different way of life. I suffer SAD, so practicing out here in a better climate does a world of good for me.”
He frowns at first, but then laughs. “So, a psychologist who treats people for mental health issues has an issue herself.” Soon, he’s in hysterics. “I love that.”
I smirk at him. “I’m happy that I’ve amused you.”
“Sorry,” he answers, still laughing, “but you have to admit that’s quite funny?”
I shrug, taking another sip. “I suppose it is.”
“Whereabouts do you practice?”
“I’ve just opened up in San Pedro. I’m still finding my feet, but I’ve already fixed myself up with a nice batch of clientele, so I certainly can’t complain.”
“San Pedro’s not too far from me and my club.”
Faking interest, I ask, “Your club?”
“It’s a bar really, but let’s just say it offers extra-curricular activities for special guests.” He smirks. “It’s on the other side of Puerto Banús, exit one-eight-four, if you ever want to visit.”
“Maybe I will one day,” I answer. “What’s your club called?”
“Scarlet’s”
“Ah,” I reply, noticing his reaction to mine.
“What’s ah?”
“It’s the same lady you thought I was.”
Gripping his hand on his glass, he slightly grits his teeth. “Yes,” is all he says before turning his head back to the bar and taking a sip of his drink. I think I may have lost him, but then he says, “So, what do you do for people? Help them over phobias and shit?”
I smile. “That is part of what I do, but I also offer help for people struggling with bereavement or anger issues. A wide spectrum of issues. No one is immune to psychological problems.”
“Like you with SAD,” he observes.
“Exactly.”
“I have had trouble sleeping lately.”
I’m actually surprised he offered that bit of information about himself. “I’m sorry to hear that. I also help with that, too.”
He gazes at me for a while like he’s trying to figure me out. “Have you got a card?”
I inwardly celebrate the fact he asks as I dig into my purse. “Of course,” I say, handing it to him. “Feel free to call anytime.”
And he did. The very next day, in fact. That was six weeks ago now, and only five appointments in, I’m already wanting to chuck in the towel. It’s not that I don’t want revenge on Reid, because boy, I do. It’s just I never realised just how much I would miss James every time I hopped on that plane. It also surprised me that I even miss David.
As I pull my carry-on luggage through Immigration, my heart leaps in my chest when I see the doors to the main airport open, and I find David standing there with James in his arms, facing forward. My smile brightens when I notice how rosy James’ cheeks are and how chubby he’s getting. I guess without my milk at hand all the time, he’s getting his full amount of formula to keep him going strong. He certainly looks healthy.
As I walk forward, David’s face brightens, and I notice James smiling at me. My very first proper smile. “Oh, my God, James just smiled!”
“I know. He’s been doing that a lot these last couple of days,” David answers, offering James to me. When he’s in my arms, I give James a big kiss on the cheek and hug him close to me. Fuck, I’ve missed my boy.
“How was the flight?” David asks, pulling me into him for a kiss.
I kiss him back with relish. “It was okay. Glad I’m home, though.”
David huffs. “Believe me when I say the feeling’s mutual. I’ve missed you terribly.”
“You mean you’ve missed the sex on tap,” I jest, causing him to nudge me.
“You know that’s not just it,” he answers, laughing.
By the time we get to the car, James is already asleep. Carefully, I place him in his car seat before strapping him in tightly. He stirs and grumbles a little, but carries on sleeping. Once I’ve finished, I step out, shutting the door behind me when I notice David standing there, towering over me.
Pushing his hardness into me, he growls. “Your arse looks fucking perfect in those jeans.”
I smirk. “See? It’s all about the sex with you.” My playfulness doesn’t seem to rub off on David. Instead, he looks sad. “What’s wrong?” I ask, frowning.
“Did you let him touch you?” He immediately pulls away, shaking his head. “Scrap that. I don’t want to fucking know.”
I watch as he walks around the other side of the car. “David,” I say, making him halt by the driver’s door. I wait until he looks up before responding. “The thought of him touching me now makes me feel physically sick. Why would I want to put myself through that?”
I see the moment relief flashes in his eyes, but it’s a momentary thing. “Is that true?”
I show my annoyance. “Of course it is,” I answer. “David, where is this coming from? I’ve already told you that I won’t fuck him. I never want him near me that way again.”
He closes his eyes, and it’s then I notice just how tired he looks. “I’m sorry,” he offers. “It’s just so difficult knowing you’re so many miles away with that scum. I fucking hate it. I feel helpless.”
“I completely understand where you’re coming from, David. I really do. But we knew going into this that it would take time. We just need a little more patience, and then we can put all our pasts behind us and move on.”
David gets in the car, so I immediately follow suit. As soon as we’re strapped in, he starts the car, but then pauses. “I’m still one hundred percent behind you in all this. I’m just finding it really difficult.”
I bite my lip because although he knows I have to do some things, it still doesn’t help the guilt from rising up. “He tried to drug me.”
David snaps his head to me. “He what?!” he virtually screams.
Immediately, I shush him before turning around to check on James. He’s still fast asleep. “I didn’t want to tell you straight away because I knew how upset you’d get.”
“Upset?” he asks, his voice rising again. “Of course I’d be upset.”
“Nothing happened,” I say, trying to calm him. “In fact, I swapped the drinks when he wasn’t looking. I also plopped a Viagra pill in there, too. Just to add to the mix.”
David faces forward, gritting his teeth. I can tell he knows where this is heading. “What happened, Scarlet?”
“I already told you that I wouldn’t have sex with him if that’s what you’re asking. I …” I pause, wondering why it’s so difficult to tell him. David knew going into this that I would have to do some things. “I helped him give himself a wank, but I also helped him think that I was having sex with him. It was a little awkward, but I managed it.”
“Fuck!” David shouts, immediately getting out of the car.
Panic rising, I follow suit, walking around to his side. He’s standing there, head in hands. I can tell he’s finding this really hard to swallow.
“I’m sorry,” I offer, not knowing what else to say. “I did that one thing, but I won’t do anything else. I swear. I fucked with his head, and it worked. He?
??s already starting to think he’s going crazy. With a little more help, we can nip this in the bud within a couple of weeks.” When he doesn’t take his hands away to look at me, I edge closer, gently taking his hands away from his face. “Are you angry with me?”
He doesn’t look at me at first, but then he sighs, fixing me with his tired eyes. “I know you told me there would be things you’d have to do, but that was before … before you agreed to marry me. I know we haven’t spoken about it since—I guess that’s my fault—but I kind of thought things would change.”
Fuck, what is that feeling in the pit of my stomach? Surely it’s not guilt?
I search his eyes, trying to pull him back to me. “I’m so sorry, David. I really am. If it makes you feel any better, I felt sick afterwards. In fact, as soon as I got home, I vomited.” And that was before I scrubbed myself raw for the first time since that time Reid caught me after my encounter with Richard.
“Why did you do it then?”
I shrugged, pulling away a little to check on James. “I don’t know,” I answer after seeing he’s still fast asleep. “I wanted to mess with his head. I hated doing it, but I got the reaction I was after. It was just step one to the many more steps to come. With your contact helping me, we’ll be off to the States in no time.” When David doesn’t answer, I close the gap between us again, placing my arms around him. Inches from his lips, I say, “Please don’t be angry with me. I promise I won’t do anything like that again.”
David, coming around, shakes his head. “It’s fine. I don’t fucking like it, but it’s fine. You didn’t cheat on me. I know you didn’t. I’ve asked so much from you these past few months—even more than I knew you were willing to give. I guess that makes me selfish.”
I shake my head on a smile, noticing how different he is compared to anyone I’ve ever met. If he were Reid, I’d be punished severely for what I’d done.
“It doesn’t make you selfish,” I answer, kissing him on the lips. “It makes you human.”
Reid
Knowing my mark will be out for the day, I set my plan in motion, using Dr Mercy as my alibi.
“How have the tablets been since we last spoke?”
I check my fingernails, noticing they look a little dirty, so I try using my other nails to get the flecks out. “Not too bad,” I answer. “They make me a little tired.”
“That’s only natural. As long as you don’t mix them with alcohol, you’ll be okay.” She pauses a moment. “Have the hallucinations stopped?”
I stop looking at my nails and instead focus on what she’s just said. “Yes, actually,” I answer, pleasantly surprised. “Things have been normal. Just as they should be.”
She smiles brightly like this news pleases her. “That’s good, Reece. That’s really good.”
I inhale deeply, bringing a sense of calm in with each breath for the first time in a long time. “Yes, it is,” I respond, smiling. “It’s a wonderful feeling.” As she smiles, I notice her fiddling with a ring on her finger. She’s twirling it around like it bothers her that it’s there. It’s a big fuck-off diamond that looks to be an engagement ring. But the thing is, it’s not on the hand it should be. “Nice ring,” I observe, snapping her out of it. She looks down, admiring it for a second.
“Yes. It is nice.” She immediately stops playing with it. Instead, she sighs, sitting back into her chair more. I can’t tell whether she’s finally relaxing from something she just thought about, or she’s telling herself to relax.
“Is this from Mr Complicated?”
She nods with a smile. “Yes.”
“It looks to me like he’s not conflicted about the way he feels for you anymore. Did he pop the question?”
She looks away a moment like she’s trying to think on what to say. It’s in that moment by the brief glimpse in her eye that I see Scarlet. Fuck, I need to breathe before I say or do something stupid again.
“Let’s just say it’s more of an eternity ring and leave it at that, shall we?”
I shrug. “No skin off my nose,” I say, despite the fact that I can’t stop the green-eyed monster from rearing its ugly head. I still find myself fantasising that I’m bending her over her desk. And I still watch the recording of her helping Felicity to get off. I’ve done so countless times by now.
Great. Now, my dick’s stiff.
“Are you okay?” She asks. “You seem uncomfortable.”
Manoeuvring in my chair, I clear my throat. “I’m fine. Just thinking about my bar.”
“Is there a problem?” she asks, looking concerned.
“No. In fact, quite the opposite. I may have to hire more staff soon.”
“Well, that’s great news,” she beams. “So, why the sad face?”
I sigh, wondering whether I can tell her. I don’t know why not, considering she’s under doctor-patient confidentiality. I should be able to tell her everything, and she’d have to keep it quiet. However, I’m not stupid. I also know that this doctor-patient privilege can only go so far. If I admit to Scarlet’s murder, she may feel obliged to tell the authorities. I can’t be having that.
But, I do want to tell her things. She’s the first woman I have felt comfortable around since Scarlet.
“I have outside problems. Officer Fuck Face for one.”
She frowns. “Who?”
“The Guardia Civil officer who let you speak with me a few days ago. He stole from me and is now making Akilah’s life a living Hell. He’s threatening to send him back to the Congo.”
“That’s terrible,” she says, looking saddened by the news.
I nod, but smile, which surprises her. “But, I have a plan. A plan I’m going to execute today. Hopefully, Officer Fuck Face won’t be an issue for much longer.”
She leans forward, placing her notepad and pen down. I’ve noticed she hasn’t written much today. “Reece, please don’t get yourself into trouble. I’m legally obliged to tell you this, but I also think it’s my duty—as someone who cares—to tell you to be careful. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
For the first time in a long time, my dead heart beats again. “You care about me, Dr Mercy? I feel privileged.”
She smirks. “Don’t patronise me, Reece. I’m just being truthful.”
“I’m glad you are. I care about you, too.” I can’t help wanting to push her buttons, so I can’t help myself when I say, “Isn’t that nice? Us caring for each other. Lord knows where this could end.” I raise my eyebrow at her, causing her to narrow her eyes at me. “Just joking,” I say, even though I’m not. I also think the good doc knows that, too.
I watch her check the time on her watch, and I know immediately what that means. She wants to dismiss me. Today, I’m not that bothered as I have somewhere I need to be anyway.
“Shall we reschedule for early next week, or do you still feel you need to see me earlier? I could pencil you in for Friday, if necessary, but I don’t think you need it right now.”
I put my hand up. “No, next week is fine. I’m feeling rather good about myself.” I get up just as she nods.
“I really am happy for you, Reece. Maybe, one day, we can move forward together. Maybe you can finally learn to let Scarlet go.”
I feel that same pang in my heart at the mention of her name, but I refuse to let it spoil my mood for today. “Maybe,” is all I say in return.
I walk to the door and just as I’m about to open it, she says, “Please be careful today. Don’t do anything stupid, okay?”
Turning around momentarily, I smirk. “Me? Never.” When she gives me an unamused look, I start to laugh and head out the door. I have somewhere to be and not a lot of time. As instructed, to keep Fuck Face happy, Akilah has told him to meet him tomorrow because he has news for him that he’ll find extremely useful. That meeting won’t take place, however. Not if everything goes according to plan tonight.
Once I’m in my car, I drive the very short distance to the apartment I’m after. That’s why I chose to go an
d see Dr Mercy today. It’s all about geography.
After parking the car up, I get out, open the boot, and take out the bag I’m after. I take a good look round, noticing all is quiet. Most people are at work or enjoying the communal pool out back. I can hear the kids splashing and screaming from the front.
Taking my time, I walk up to the main entrance and start randomly ringing on people’s doorbells. Four, I have no luck with, but the fifth one answers in Spanish.
“Endesa,” I simply say, which is the main Spanish electricity firm.
Thankfully, the guy on the other end doesn’t ask any questions, and I soon hear the buzzer notifying me that I can walk through. I walk to the lift, calling it to take me to the fourth floor. I feel my body buzz with excitement, reminding me of the old days when I used to do this stuff on a regular basis in London. I say “old days” when it’s only been a year. To me, it feels like decades. Despite having fulfilled my dream of owning a bar, I still miss the thrill my old job used to give me.
I hear the ping, and I’m about to walk through when a man walks out first. I make a note to smile, so he doesn’t think anything of me. “Hola,” I say, waiting for him to get out. He says hola back, walking out without looking. He doesn’t think me suspicious.
Good.
I quickly get in the lift, and once I reach the correct floor, I walk towards the door I’m after. I get out my lock pick and start putting it to use. To my surprise—and also horror—I’m in within seconds. The security in this place is deplorable. But, then again, that’s good for me.
I make my way through the living room, and I can’t help but nose around all the feminine things lying around. She’s a messy girl. With tops, belts, and even knickers strewn about all over the living room, it makes me think this woman doesn’t have a lot of guests.
Well, I know of at least one.
And that’s why I’m here.
The sunlight blasts through the window, making the room feel stifling. She’s also obviously not one for leaving the air con on when she’s not at home. If I were living here, I wouldn’t be able to tolerate that.
Walking swiftly into the bedroom, I notice her bed sheets are also untidily strewn across her bed. Her wardrobe door hangs open, making me have this overwhelming urge to shut it. I can’t stand seeing wardrobe doors and drawers wide open. It makes the place seem untidy.