Saint By Day, Sinner By Night

CHAPTER 12

Myles’ POV

“What? What is it?” Serena asked and strained to see the contents of the briefcase.

I couldn't reply her. I was frozen momentarily in place, staring at the contents of the case and trying to figure out what type of human being could do this.

The odor from the case wafted up to my nostrils, but I ignored it. I just stood there staring at what appeared to be bits and pieces of a human body, and most especially the face, except it wasn't a face but the peeled skin from a face, a face I recognized very well.

TREVOR…

I didn't know when Serena finally drew closer, but the next thing I heard was her piercing scream, and I suddenly snapped out of my daze and slammed the case shut.

Serena's scream alerted my men from outside, and shortly afterwards, they came pounding at the door.

“Boss! Boss! Is everything alright?” They called from outside the room.

“Yeah,” I replied. I had to, if not, I knew they would tear down the door. “Everything is okay.”

I heard them murmuring outside the door, but they slowly walked away. How could I tell them about this? How could I show them this?

“What.. That's a human being?” Serena asked wide-eyed. “Someone you know?”

“What's left of him?” I replied.

“Who would do that? Who are those people?”

“Like I said.” I looked up at her. “I'm a lawyer, a really good one. I'm bound to have enemies.”

I couldn't tell her that these particular enemies were enemies I had made in my other life, a life she knew nothing about, and now I was plunging her into the same danger, too.

“I'm calling off our arrangement.” I blurted out abruptly.

“What? What do you mean?” She asked in confusion.

“Our contract… I'm calling it off. It's not safe for you to be around me. It's not safe for you.”

Serena looked surprised, and what was that I sensed, pain? I thought she'd be relieved! She hated me after all, didn't she?

“So... so what about the money…"

Of course, it was about the money and not me. For some reason, I felt hurt and betrayed even though I was the one who had laid out the rules to our contract, a contract that hadn't even started yet.

“There is no money!” I snapped. “It's all over now. You're free to go. We're free to go our separate ways. The money was to come after our seemingly relationship, there's no marriage, so there's no money!”

She seemed to shrink back from my sudden outburst, and I kind of regretted shouting at her.

“Go home, Serena,” I said in a calmer voice now. “This is over. You're a free woman now.”

The surprised look on her face immediately gave way to disgust. I saw her struggling with words I knew she wanted to let out, but she changed her mind and walked straight towards the door. She paused with her hand on the door and turned to look at me.

“You're a sick man, Myles Voss!” She spat out the words before leaving the room.

I sighed and dropped into my chair, loosening my necktie, realizing that I felt hot even with the air condition turned on. I needed time to think, but I needed to call the boys together for a meeting.

I picked up the receiver and dialed the numbers on the telephone out of muscle memory. I heard it ring twice before a click on the other end to indicate it was answered.

As usual, he didn't say anything but just listened silently, so I spoke up.

“I want a service, a full house service at the main church tonight,” I said.

“Affirmative.” It was the only reply, and then the line went dead.

Those were code names we used in the gang. A service was our meeting, and the church was our main base.

***

My car slowly glided into the driveway of the huge Voss Mansion, and the first person I laid eyes on was my grandfather standing at the door as if he knew I was coming and was out to welcome me, except this wasn't going to be a welcome.

I sighed as I rolled the car into the garage and shut it off. I then approached the door, bracing myself for what was coming.

“Hi, Grandpa,” I called out to him before I reached him.

“Myles.” He mumbled. “I see you came alone.” He peered behind me. “Where's the lady you told us would be coming with you? I don't imagine you're hiding her in your trunk!”

“She's busy,” I replied. “She couldn't make it today.”

His face suddenly grew more wrinkled as his brows furrowed and his eyes glared at me, a look of rage and disappointment.

“Quit playing your games, son!” I growled. “You assured us all that you were going to bring this imaginary 'fiancé' home.”

“And she got busy just like I said.” I snapped. “She also has a life, you know.”

“I don't think imaginary people have lives.” He growled. “I suspected that was what she was. I didn't believe you when you said you had a fiancé, and I still don't believe you!”

I was tired and I was drained both emotionally and physically, and I didn't have the strength to stand there and argue with my grandpa on the porch.

I walked past him and headed into the house, with him coming after me and venting out his anger as he came.

“You won't disgrace us! You won't bring this disgrace! You must continue the family name! The Voss family name must continue!”

I did my best to ignore him as I headed not for the living room but straight towards my quarters.

“While we still live as the heads of the Voss family, we'll excommunicate you soon!”

I suddenly stopped at the foot of the stairs and turned around to face the old man. What was he rambling about?

“We've already decided through a debate.” He said. “There will be consequences following your negligence to the family's needs!”