Fate’s Unseen Shadow (Cager #1)

Chapter 4

4

I t took every ounce of her control to keep her composure in the room with these men. Especially Slater. Damon seemed to be a good guy. Ryker appeared nice. But Slater was the wild card for trust. And Xavier just seemed confused at this point.

Damon held her by the shoulders, bringing her closer. “Do you really think the stalker is Teddy’s killer and he’s still looking for you?”

“Yes.”

“Why him? It could’ve been a one-time hit. Followed Theodore home. Hoped to get some cash or?—”

“Nothing was reported stolen by his mother,” Ryker said. “He had three hundred in his wallet, still in his pocket.”

She yawned, feeling the crushing weight of sheer exhaustion. God, she was tired. “It’s the stalker.”

“What about a bad business deal?” Damon asked.

She moved away from him, his presence distracting and adding to the frustration. Passing Slater, she walked to the window. The parking lot stood empty aside from the men’s cars. Hers sat parked toward the back in the shade, out of sight. “There were no bad business deals. I did all the business deals for the company.”

“For Cassin Systems?” Xavier still held his phone in his hand, like he’d been frozen by discovering who she was. “You’re in charge? I thought your stepbrother ran it. He was CEO, right? I thought that was your motive for killing him. Jealousy.” He halfway smiled. “Sorry. I’ve followed your news story.”

“He was CEO. Dad gave him that role, but it’s structured that way for a reason. It’s a high-level position. Teddy studied everything as a whole from the top down. I didn’t have the time to keep an eye on the daily operations. Not while looking ahead and deciding our next move.” She crossed her arms and faced the room again. “It is my company. I own it. Teddy reports to me. Everyone was fine with that arrangement except for Julia, Teddy’s mother. My ex-stepmother has never been happy with anything pertaining to me since my father passed away.”

“What does that mean?” Damon crossed the room to her.

“Julia thought my father should have left the company to her.”

Slater chuckled. “That doesn’t make any damn sense. You’re his daughter. You work in the company. Based on what you said, you are the company. Why would a person who’d been married to him for a handful of years think she could take that over?”

“Tale as old as time. I always assumed she was with him for the money. She never acted like it, and he loved her, I know, but she loves money. Clothes. Jewelry. And thankfully, the judge agreed with me when she protested the will.” Ella ran a hand through her hair, the short length still catching her by surprise. “I need my company back. Because when I left, the contingency plan within the company meant full control fell to Teddy. With Teddy dead, Julia probably took control. Not sure anyone is listening to her, but the idea she has any influence over my company pisses me off.” With a huff, she turned back to the window. “And I don’t know what’s scarier. Someone trying to kill me, going to jail for Teddy’s murder, or watching the company my father built and I devoted my life to becoming her piggy bank. The idea makes me sick.”

“Who is trying to kill you?” Slater asked.

Ella rolled her eyes before sending him an annoyed glare. “If I knew that, I wouldn’t be here, would I?”

Damon’s small laugh matched his look. Warm and masculine. The beard did it for her. Trimmed short, it was dark brown like his closely cropped hair and eyes. Slater was the complete opposite. Lighter skin, dark blond hair cut short, either green or blue eyes. Hard to tell since her attention was drawn to Damon.

Ryker was cute. He had messy brown hair and olive-toned skin that looked natural compared to Xavier’s suntanned skin. Xavier was the gym bro and looked like a G.I. Joe in his black exercise shorts and Marines written across his navy T-shirt, filled with, no doubt, hard-earned muscles.

Slater seemed to hold back a smart-ass reply based on his pained expression. “Let me rephrase that,” he gritted out between clenched teeth. “What makes you think the same person who killed Teddy is out to kill you?”

“For about six weeks before Teddy’s death, I thought someone was stalking me. I’d get that funny feeling of being watched. Followed. Then, I started seeing the same man. Nearly everywhere I went, there he was. I started changing my routes and routines. That helped for a few days before he started showing up again. I told Teddy. He started noticing the same thing. Not as often as I did, but occasionally, he saw the man I described. I came home one day to my apartment door standing wide open. I called the police and went back downstairs to wait.”

“What did they find?” Slater crossed his arms over his chest.

“Nothing. They said I must’ve left it open, which is ridiculous.” She looked at Ryker and then back to Damon. “One cop told me I shouldn’t worry my little head about it. That’s when I called you the first time. Julia had mentioned you in passing and I thought, why not.”

“Did the neighbors see anyone?” Damon set his hands on his hips, seeming annoyed. “Did you ask or the police interview anyone on your floor?”

“I don’t have neighbors.” At their silence, she added, “I own the top floor.”

Xavier whistled low. “Where do you live?”

“Penthouse apartment in downtown Atlanta.”

“And where are you staying now?” Damon asked.

She rolled her lips inward, wishing she didn’t have to admit it. “My car.”

Damon lowered his head slightly. “Your car? How long have you been doing that?”

“Since I left a month ago.” She rushed on as Damon turned away, shaking his head. “I haven’t had a way to get housing. My name is all over the news. I had some cash, but that officially ran out today. I own a massive company, and I’m standing here penniless.” Waiting until Damon turned toward her, she pulled back her shoulders. She felt more exposed than ever before, but she wouldn’t show it. Her father had taught her not to show weakness. “I have the money to pay for your help. Promise. I need my life back to access my bank account.”

Damon shrugged out of his suit jacket. That was a change from this afternoon. From jeans and a T-shirt to a custom-tailored suit. What did he do aside from owning Cager? She tugged at her secondhand shirt, feeling out of her league for once in her life. She usually ran the room. Made the deals. Now, she was at the mercy of these men.

“I’ll give you a place to stay and food.”

“And a job at Cager.”

He carefully folded his jacket over the back of the chair. “I don’t think that’s safe, Ella.”

She nodded, understanding his side, but he had to understand hers. “I know the risk. But I came to you for a job and help finding Teddy’s killer. I’ve worked since I was twelve. This past month has been hell to sit and do nothing. I need to work, Damon. Please.”

“Fine.” He didn’t seem convinced, but at least he had allowed her this. “I’ll be with you to and from Cager and while you’re there. Let me know if the man you recognize shows up. I’ll handle him.”

That statement shouldn’t give her chills, but it did. She looked at the other men before back at Damon. “I can’t imagine anyone thinking of looking for me in a bar in Charleston. Thank you for the job.”

“Don’t thank me yet. You’re sure you want to bartend?” He glanced past her to Xavier. “She’s never bartended before.”

“I’m capable of nearly everything. I can do it. Promise.”

Damon scoffed. “I’ll agree you think you’re capable of anything. Right now, we need to start looking for this runaway. You’re safe, Ella, but that child isn’t. That’s why I had to turn you down before. I’m sorry for it.”

He seemed a little angry, and she wasn’t sure what for. “I understand.” There was no question that they should focus their attention on that. “You mentioned I’d stay somewhere? If I have a safe place to park my car, I can just keep staying there for now?—”

“No. You’re not staying in your car. I’ll put you up in an apartment.” He slid his hands into his pockets. “I own a few apartment complexes.”

That was interesting. “Is that why we’re meeting here?”

“Yes. You’ll stay in the empty unit above me.”

“I’ll pay you back the rent.”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s furnished for this reason. And when you work at Cager, I don’t expect to see Elizabeth Cassin working behind my bar.”

She frowned, confused by his phrasing. “But I am Elizabeth Cassin.”

“Not until we catch Teddy’s killer.” He picked up her pearls from her neck, rolling one pearl between his finger and thumb. “You need to become Ella. Whoever she is,” he added in a lower voice.

She understood. She wasn’t the woman who wore sweater sets or ate lunch on her private jet on her way to another business meeting anymore. The last month had undoubtedly changed her. The biggest question for her was who she’d be at the end of this.

She forced a confident tone. “Got it. Right now, I’m Ella, your newest bartender.”

He quirked a smile, his brown eyes skimming over her face. “Good luck is all I can say.”

“Will I slow you down finding the runaway if I ask to go to the apartment? The idea of a shower and real bed after a month without one is more than a little tempting. Or if you give me the key, I’ll drive myself there.”

“No need. I need to run by there to change.” That smile dropped away. “The car you’ve been living in…is it yours?”

“Yes.”

Everyone in the room stopped moving. Slater stepped forward. “And you don’t expect someone to run your plate and find you?”

She had worried about that a little. “I’ve tried my best to stay out of sight.”

“Shit,” Damon muttered under his breath and held out his hand. “Keys.”

“Why do you want my keys?”

“So Slater can drive it. We’ll unload your stuff, and then he’ll ditch the car somewhere. Or hide it. You don’t exactly blend in with the rest of society driving it. We pay our bartenders well, but driving that will raise a lot of suspicions.”

“What kind of car is it?” Xavier asked.

She pulled out her key. “Last year’s model of a BMW i7.”

“All black. Top of the line,” Damon added.

Xavier snatched the key before Slater lifted his hand. “I’ll handle that, thank you. I have a house with a garage to keep it safe. I love that car. I test-drove one before I settled on getting another truck.”

She chuckled at his enthusiasm. “Then have fun driving it. Thank you for not ditching it.”

“Ryker, any mention of the car she might be driving in the FBI report?” Damon crossed to the front door, opening it.

“None. I went back and looked.”

“It’s registered to a small holding company I have.” Ella followed him. “I typically take a driver service and work when I travel. I’m not sure if anyone even knows I have it. When I left, I walked the few miles to the garage on the outskirts of Atlanta and pulled it out of storage.”

Xavier moved outside the apartment, his head swiveling back and forth before spotting it underneath the trees. “Oh, yes. She’s a beauty that doesn’t deserve to be locked up in a garage.”

“Slater and Ryker. Start research on the fifteen-year-old. I’ll meet up with you after I settle Ella into the apartment.” Damon touched Ella’s upper back, ushering her off the sidewalk. “C’mon. Let’s get you somewhere to sleep.”

With a big exhale, she let him lead her to the parking lot. They followed Xavier to her car. He opened the door but didn’t get inside. Standing there, he set his hands on his hips, staring at the interior. “It’s impeccably clean for someone who has lived in their car for a month.”

“I can use a trash can and stay organized, even if it’s a car.”

“I’m going to enjoy driving it. Can I take it out sometime?”

“Go ahead,” she called over her shoulder as Damon kept walking past Xavier to the passenger side of the same black sports car she’d spotted at Cager.

He opened the door. “The apartment is about ten minutes from here.” After he moved around the car and sat beside her, he pushed the button to start it. “The apartment complex is similar to this one. You won’t have the entire floor to yourself, but it’s nice.”

“I’m sure it’s wonderful. Thank you.” She looked down at her hands. Her throat tightened and her eyes filled as relief hit her. “I was a day or two away from giving up. I ran out of money. I haven’t had a real meal in a very, very long time until today. I just…”

“It’s okay, Ella. You’re safe now.” Damon looked over at her, and that did it. His kindness and generosity broke the rest of her.

She doubled over, bawling uncontrollably.

It was the first time she’d cried since finding Teddy. The only time she’d let fear, stress, and hunger overtake her determination to keep her shit together.

The engine vibrated as he backed out of the parking spot. She kept her face hidden as he drove, trying to regain control of the flood.

“Ella, we’re here.” He turned off the car. “C’mon. The sooner we get you into the apartment, the sooner you can relax.” He opened his door and left, not waiting for a response.

She sniffed and wiped her face on the bottom of her black T-shirt. “Get it together,” she murmured. It was like her father had spoken the words, and her emotions quickly disappeared into the dark closet she’d shoved them into before.

As she stood from the car, she heard Xavier ask, “What the hell did you do to her?”

“Nothing,” Damon shot back. “She’s just so fucking exhausted and hungry. I think it finally caught up with her.” He put his hands on his hips, looking at a door on the second floor of the apartment complex. “This will be good. I can get her settled and safe and then focus on the runaway. Is there a suitcase or anything to take up there?”

Xavier opened the trunk. “Not much of anything. How has she survived for a month like this?”

Damon spotted her lingering near his car. “Want to see your new place?”

“Sure.” She took two tentative steps before shoving the last tail end of fear back down and straightening her shoulders. No more breakdowns. Damon had offered to help, and that’s what he was doing. And he was right. She was exhausted.

“That’s your apartment. Here’s the key.” Damon passed it to her. “Xavier, walk her up, please. I’ll go change, and then I’ll be there.”

“Thank you for doing this.” She started to reach for her bags, but Xavier beat her to it.

He leaned past her, picking up three plastic bags. They contained essentials she’d purchased over the last month.

“I hope we can help you clear this up soon.” He let her walk up the stairs ahead of him, waiting as she unlocked the door. “Although, for the time being, you’ll be safer here than out there, living in your car. But damn, what a car to live in.”

Ella let out a long sigh. She felt safer knowing Damon was only a few steps away. The place was furnished with neutral furniture. Sofa. Chair. Dining room table that seated four. A nice television on the wall. She investigated the rest of it. One bedroom with a king-size bed. The bathroom was nice, with a tiled shower. Towels on the counter. Small hotel-type bottles of shampoo and soap already in the shower. What did they use this for? People like her?

She heard voices in the living room and went to investigate. Xavier stepped outside as Damon entered. He’d changed from the luxury suit into a pair of jeans, boots, and a T-shirt like he’d worn at Cager. He looked just as strong as Xavier.

Damon smiled as he held up a bottle of wine. “Housewarming gift.”

Her stomach quivered. She hadn’t known what Damon Vargas looked like before showing up at Cager, but good thing or else she would’ve been nervous simply meeting him.

Damon walked into the kitchen with the wine. “I ordered you a few different options for dinner. I’ll be by in the morning with a new cell phone and debit card for your use.” He twisted the wine opener into the cork, pulling it out with a soft pop. “I’d suggest you drink this and wait on your dinner before showering. It should be here in about twenty minutes.” He poured her a massive glass of red wine and held it out. “Wine, food, shower, and bed. The best I can do right now. Tomorrow, the guys and I will start working on how to get your life back.”

“I don’t know what it says about me that I’m about to drink an entire bottle of wine by myself.”

“It says nothing,” he answered, passing her the glass before holding out his hand. “I need your phone.”

She gave it over. “I turned off cellular data and only used it when I had to on Wi-Fi.”

“I’m not worried about the past but the future. It’s safer if it’s gone. Lock the door behind me, and don’t open it aside from your food delivery.”

She sipped the wine, the familiar flavor exploding in her mouth. Immediately, she spun the bottle around to face her. “I love this wine. I have”—she inhaled sharply at the sudden reality check—“ had four bottles at my apartment when I had the company ship me a case.”

He crossed to the door. “Small world. I did the same.” He turned back and flicked the back of the doorknob, giving her a stern look. “Lock it up, Ella. Stay put.”

She did, rushing over and locking the deadbolt and a larger bolt on the side. The panic of her situation sat in the back of her throat. Right there, waiting for her to give in to the weakness again. She drank a bigger gulp of wine. Wine. Food. Shower. Sleep. That was all she wanted. She’d deal with the fear tomorrow.