Deception's Game (The Misses Book 2)

24

Grayson and Luke made their way over to the hospital next door to the police station where Suzy rested. Once Luke checked in with Grayson and got her room number, Luke sat in the waiting area. He waved off Grayson to go see Suzy and to hurry back. Grayson was nervous. 

Luke seemed happy after his conversation with the detective, which could only mean things went as planned. He almost hated being able to read his brother’s movements and thoughts. All he ever needed was a small sign from him and Grayson could predict the next move his brother wanted him to make. He was like a pawn on a chess board, reading his players' moves ahead of time.

He gently pushed the door to her room open and said “knock knock” quietly. When he saw the machine and her face, he knew she wasn’t about to welcome him. Her full right arm was in a cast, she was missing two fingers on her left hand. Her jaw had been broken. Her entire face was red and bruised. She may have survived the incident but she probably wished she was dead.

He couldn’t stay much longer. Her broken body broke his heart. He was sure he didn’t want to know how it happened or what role his brother played in her pain. He needed to always respect his brother and hearing what happened might lessen his level of respect. He rushed towards the front of the hospital and signaled Luke on his way to the door. Grayson didn’t know what to say to him.

“She looks a mess, doesn’t she? My calculations weren’t too far off. At least she will live another day to love another.” Luke said, then laughed .

Grayson cringed. He didn’t have the heart to be okay with her situation. 

“I am going to need a moment to take all this in.”

“Take your time bro. It's getting late. Let’s head home and have dinner and never talk about this again. Sounds like a plan?”

“Agreed,” Grayson said quickly. Even though they had not actually talked about anything, he took that as Luke believed he had seen enough. Probably enough to warrant him killing his brother, if necessary.

—-

After lying in bed staring at the ceiling all night, Grayson felt like his head would split in two. He hopped out of bed and hurried to get ready for his date. He needed to see his love as soon as possible. Every day with her felt like a chance to relieve his stress for the week, a chance to pretend like he was living the normal life he so yearned for. They needed to live separate lives, but he was so happy that she would always come back to him, no matter what.

He arrived only a few seconds after she did. The security guard notified him that she had successfully entered the restaurant via the back door. Grayson was escorted to the private room from the front. When he walked in, she remained standing as if waiting for his embrace. He would not keep her waiting any longer.

He held her tight, kissed her earlobe, then her neck. He felt like they hadn’t talked or held each other for months and she hastifully reciprocated. “I love you, Grayson.” She whispered into his chest without looking up at him. He held her a little tighter and a little longer after he heard her sweet words.

“This week has been really rough, Reeza.” He said, then put his head down on the table. He mumbled to Reeza, “Did you bring it?” She reached in her pocket and took out a transmission interrupter. He knew she would have one or be able to get one. Her dad created the AI and security systems for all of Lagos and with that he could easily disappear in it. 

After she turned on the personal interrupter, he whispered every moment that weighed heavy on his chest to her. Her eyes opened and slightly closed with every twist and turn. She covered her mouth and gasped every other sentence until their food came. She put her hand over the transmitter and pressed it, turning it off, then put it back into her pocket. As soon as the waitress left the room, Reeza stood up and made her way over to him. She sat in his lap and rested her head on his shoulder. She ran her hand down the side of his neck and he in turn rested his head on top of hers.

“Are you going to be okay?”

“I think I am. He’s going to be living with me for a while, but that shouldn’t affect our dates. Sometimes I just can’t believe the people I am related to,” Grayson uttered, then rolled his eyes.

He grunted, then countered his statement, “Well, yes I can. They aren’t any different than they were when I was growing up.I guess, sometimes I wish they were pursuing lives of intellectual enrichment instead of this rancid mafia lifestyle. s**t! I am not even completely out. My uncle would kill me in the streets if I abandoned this club gig.” he nervously laughed, then pulled her closer to his chest. He smelled her hair and kissed her forehead. 

“As long as you still love me, I know I will be okay.” he whispered, then pushed her sleek black hair behind her ear. 

“Always, Grayson.” She looked towards him then gently caressed his lips with her own. 

—-

After they finished lunch, Grayson told her he had to head to the university for a lecture. She held him one last time. His warmth, his kiss, his gentle touch were the very foundation of her happiness.  He glided his palm over the top of her hair then pressed their foreheads together.

When Reeza made it to her limo in the back of the restaurant, she realized she wouldn’t have to worry about missing Grayson’s messages. This was the perfect chance for her to check in on her dad and his girlfriend. Her mom had been drunk since Wednesday morning, which was when she assumed she had found out about the ‘Under the Moon lit Gayla.

There would be plenty of papers there taking pictures and she was sure she would see a picture of her dad and that woman in it.

It was being held on a golf course. She planned to watch from a hill in the woods not too far away. She believed Levi loved her mother unconditionally, but her mother was always so dramatic to the point where Reeza questioned the status of their relationship. 

While in deep thought, the sound of vibrations echoed from within her purse. She took her phone out and checked the message.

  ‘Are you going out tonight?” 

“Legs?” She whispered to herself. “What could he want so suddenly?”

‘Yes I am.’ She replied. She wanted to lie but a part of her wanted to see him. 

‘What time?’

‘10:30 PM.’

‘Perfect. Pick me up from the 123 Bar’

She looked down at her phone then searched for the bar in question and it was on her way to the golf course. Without further hesitation, she responded, ‘Okay.’

Many thoughts carouselled through her mind. “Why am I okay with his level of craziness? Why  was I already thinking about his aggressive mannerisms? Why does that turn me on?” Not so deep down in her heart, she couldn’t wait to see him. She shifted in her seat, a tingling sensation was gradually building up. She wanted to hurry home and jump in the jacuzzi or cold shower.

—-

After Reeza arrived home that afternoon, she spent most of her day reading and watching movies, waiting for 9:30. When that time finally came around, she hopped in the shower. She had bought some anti-reflective binoculars and an all-black cat suit. It made her feel like catwoman or a ninja. 

She put a jacket on to make her look appear to be more fashionable and not like she was on her way to rob someone.  Then she headed to pick up Luke from the bar. When she arrived, he was leaning up against the wall looking off into the distance. 

She yelled his name out the window to get his attention. He stumbled to her vehicle and a small tinge of fear tugged at her belly. As if asking her why she was picking this drunk psychopath up. 

“Are you okay?” She asked him as soon as he sat in the passenger seat.

“Yes. s**t. Let’s go.” he growled, then ordered her to keep it moving.

“You don’t even know where we are going!” She snapped back at him.

Luke sat quietly looking out the window as time passed. It took an hour for them to get through traffic and the wooded area. When she parked, he finally came out of his trance.

“Where the f**k are we?” He said as she stepped out of the car and walked towards her trunk.

“I am doing some light stalking. Maybe you should have asked me where I was going when you texted me.” She spoke loudly while gathering her binoculars and blanket from the trunk of the car.

She made her way down the trail she had pre-walked. Music and lights filled the area. She laid down her blanket, then laid on the blanket with her binoculars in hand. There were hundreds of people at the party. She wasn’t even sure how she would find the couple amongst the crowd.