Chapter Twenty-Two

Chase

After I got off the phone with Derrick, I knew that I had to spring into action – and fast too. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d taken a cab in New York City before meeting Amanda, hell, it was probably over a decade ago. And now it had quickly become my main mode of transportation. I’d grown so used to having my driver at my beck and call that I didn’t even bother with taxis. But Diego wasn’t around, and I knew that it was up to me to save the woman I loved.

Love.

I’d worry about the implications later.

It sounded like a real American macho thing, breaking into someone’s house with a gun, a vigilante brand of justice. I’d had daydreams of doing this exact kind of thing before. Oddly enough, those dreams had always been about my ex, Amanda Kimble. After she fucked my roommate, I dreamt about “surprising” the two of them at their wedding. Of course, I didn’t know whether or not they were actually going to get married. But for years after she dumped me, I couldn’t stop thinking about how sweet revenge would feel. I’d dress up in my best tux, sneak into the church, and sit in the back. Then, as soon as the pastor asked me to speak now or forever hold my peace, I’d stand up and clear my throat. In my hand would be blown-up copies of the nude boudoir shoot Amanda had done for me.

“Excuse me,” I’d say to the congregation. “But I believe I have a reason as to why this woman shouldn’t marry anyone at all.”

I sighed and clamped my eyes shut against the indulgent yet ridiculous image. An arrogant fantasy where I hurt everyone, including myself. It wasn’t something I entertained anymore, but for years, it was enough to keep me going whenever I felt like Amanda had won, like she’d somehow managed to get the better of me. And hell, I don’t think clergy had even asked if there were any objections since the fifties. That was an antiquity. It belonged in the past, just like Amanda.

Chastity was my present and my future.

Finally, I managed to hail a cab. The dirty yellow car screeched to a stop, and I flew into the backseat, landing in an awkward tangle of limbs against the opposite door.

“Where to, mister?” The cabbie didn’t even turn around – likely used to men in expensive suits tumbling around in the back of his cab. Just like that episode of Sex and the City, I thought with a smirk. Everything in New York has been done before.

Just call me Big. And don’t ask me why.

I gave him the Bushwick address that Derrick had given me over the phone.

The cabbie raised his eyebrows. “I think you want Manhattan, buddy,” he said in heavily accented English, finally craning his neck and looking at me. “Someone like you? Men like you don’t go to Brooklyn.”

“Fuck you,” I snarled. “Take me to that fucking address. Now! It’s an emergency!”

The cabbie looked startled. “Sir, I must ask–”

“I said, now!” Reaching into my pockets, I pulled out a crumpled wad of bills. I wasn’t even sure how much cash I had – I almost never carried cash – but the wide eyes of the cabbie told me that however much it was, it was enough for where I wanted to go. The cab zipped off into traffic, and once again, I flew across the backseat. My face slammed into the window, and I groaned, welcoming the pain. It made me feel alive. And as long as I remained breathing, I could save Chastity from whatever bullshit she’d gotten herself involved in.

I couldn’t be entirely sure, but I thought I heard snickering coming from the driver’s seat as I righted myself in the back.

The drive seemed to take forever. The streets crawled with traffic, and my anxiety had risen to a fever pitch by the time the cab arrived in Bushwick. Tempted to throw my wad of bills in the front seat while I tumbled out and made a run for it, I refrained as I knew that we were almost there. Hold on, Chastity, I thought. Just a little bit longer and I’ll be there to save you, okay?

Grimly, I pressed my forehead against the glass and stared at the buildings. Chastity must think I’m a total fuck-up. That I can’t be trusted to protect her; take care of her. This part of Brooklyn was nicer than Crown Heights, but somehow that just made it more suspicious. Who the hell would kidnap someone like Chastity? She was such a sweet, intelligent girl. With street smarts. I racked my brain, trying to recall every single thing she’d ever said to me. It wasn’t like she had enemies. She hadn’t really lived long enough to piss anyone off to that extreme. Although Chastity was a spitfire, she wasn’t the kind of girl who offended everyone in sight. I’d always thought the opposite. She knew that people had a tendency to underestimate how fierce she could be, and as a result, she kept her head down and surprised everyone when she actually opened her mouth.

Thinking about her like this made me sick. Desperation overwhelmed me when I imagined her smile, her soft dark blonde hair, just knowing that she was alright and out of harm’s way. And while I had a feeling that she wouldn’t exactly be thrilled with me breaking in and saving the day, I knew no one else cared enough to do exactly that. Her roommate, Trina, obviously had no idea about the situation. And her only other friend was that mousy little brat from Banks Realty, Angela.

Angela.

The name sounded funny in my brain. I frowned as I tried to think what it was about her, exactly, that always made me feel off. It had to be something to do with–

“Mister, we’re here,” the cabbie spat, screeching to halt so that my body almost joined him in the front seat.

The cab teetered to a halt by the curb, and I leapt out, throwing him the contents of my wallet, leaving the door open in my wake. The cabbie yelled for me to come back, but I threw my hand over my head, ignoring him. This was no time to be polite. If I didn’t act fast, the woman I loved might pay for my delay.

Thankfully, the exterior door was unencumbered by a security lock or buzzer. I yanked it open and dashed up the stairs. I barely even registered the strain on my body as I took the stairs three at a time, leaping and jumping and spinning around on the landings. A woman coming down the stairs with grocery bags let out a nervous yelp, and I had to skid quickly sideways so I wouldn’t crash into her.

How the fuck was I going to figure out which apartment held Chastity? And what awaited me there?

“Sorry, miss!” I yelled over my shoulder. “Saving the day, finding the princess, you know how it goes!”

When I reached the top of the stairs, I glanced down the hallway. It split in two directions, and I had no idea where I needed to go. Closing my eyes, I thought of Chastity. Something inside of me told me to go to the left, and after a moment’s hesitation, I darted down the left hallway, scanning the doors as I passed by.

On gut instinct and adrenaline, I tried the door without knocking first. A dead bolt prevented entry, and I let out a groan of frustration as I slammed my forehead against the cold metal.

“Come on!” I screamed. “Open the fucking door, or I’m going to shoot the lock off. I have a gun!”

Whoever lurked inside didn’t need to know I was full of piss, vinegar and bullshit. A faint sound echoed from behind the door – like a rustle or a scrape. Gritting my teeth, I backed away from the door and braced myself for the impact. I hadn’t broken down a door in years – not since I’d caught Amanda screwing my college roommate. I realized that this time was even scarier. I didn’t know what was on the other side, and that was the most frightening thing of all.

Lowering my frame, I bent at an angle and charged at the door. The impact was enough to cloud my vision with stars, but the door popped open with a startling sound that was almost like uncorking a bottle of Dom Perignon. Speaking of which, I’m gonna need a drink after this, I thought as I charged into the room.

Scotch. Neat.

One of the weirdest scenes of my life greeted my eyes. The little mousy bitch, Angela, stood there holding a glass of wine that had slopped all over her shirt and the floor. She swayed in place, wide-eyed and expressive, but there was something different about her. Her hair, which had been dark before, had been dyed the same dishwater blonde as Chastity’s. Like some kind of pathetic, dime-store mannequin wearing cast-offs from Goodwill.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Angela snapped. “This is my apartment! You just broke in! I should call the cops!”

A random dude stood next to her. I didn’t recognize him – he had a mess of unruly hair that sprung up in cowlicks all over his head and dark, angry eyes. Not exactly pudgy, his physique still suggested that he hadn’t seen the inside of a gym in months, maybe even years.

“Who the fuck are you?” I demanded, turning to face him and pointing a finger in his general direction. He looked dangerous – nothing that I couldn’t handle, of course, but he’d contorted his round face into a mask of rage. From my college days breaking up unruly frat brothers, I’d found out there was nothing worse than a loose cannon.

The guy screwed up his little piggy eyes. “Chastity hasn’t told you about me?”

I glared at him and walked forward until we were so close that I could feel the whisper of his tepid breath. Standing much shorter than me, with pale, puffy skin and a scruff of hair on his chin and neck, this dipshit didn’t scare me in the least. Unless he was packing.

“This is Nathan,” Angela said. She stepped forward, tossing her Chastity-like mane. “He’s helping.”

“Where’s Chastity?” My words came out as a growl. “What the fuck did you do to her?”

The overgrown kid, Nathan, had disappeared from the room while Angela distracted me with her clone-like looks. I stared her down, clenching my fist and smacking it against my opposite palm. Time to get serious.

Nathan reappeared holding a Glock in his unsteady hand. Without attracting attention or moving too abruptly, I leaned toward him. Once he got within my reach, I executed a perfect spinning hook kick and the gun went flying underneath Angela’s glass coffee table. Before the stunned Nathan could react, I dove to retrieve it and pointed it at his stupid fucking head.

I have a black belt in Taekwondo mother fucker. Personally instructed by Stephen Lopez.

“Don’t try anything funny,” I clipped through my clenched teeth, holding the gun pointed to the floor. My jaw felt like it had been wired shut, and I felt trigger happy. “I’m not afraid to use this. Except unlike you, I know how to release the safety so I actually can shoot it. To kill.”

Angela laughed, despite the weapon I now possessed. Even though she resembled a twig, there was something intimidating about her. She didn’t look anything like she had in the office. Now, she actually looked like someone I would have remembered. Almost as if she’d been deliberately making herself non-descript to not attract attention. Until the moment she could use that attention to her advantage.

“Chase, help!”

The frantic sound of Chastity’s cry burned my ears. Pushing Angela toward the couch, I lunged in the direction of Chastity’s voice, but Nathan was already dragging her into the room. He had one hand tangled in Chastity’s hair, the other gripping her upper arm firmly. Her beautiful face was twisted into a painful grimace by Nathan’s poor treatment. My heart squeezed as I mentally strategized how best to kill him.

“Chase!” Chastity shrieked again. Nathan slapped her across the face, and before I could even think about the consequences, I’d crossed the room and pressed the gun to the asshole’s temple.

Nathan released his hold on Chastity immediately. She let out another shriek of fear, and I kept the gun against his head.

“Untie her, fuckwad,” I growled. “Untie her right now, or I’m pulling the trigger and asking questions later. And before you start whining about the police and prison, let me remind you. I’m a billionaire with a capital B. I can buy and sell the NYPD a thousand times over. You are nothing. Worse than nothing, you piece of shit. No one would miss you.”

Nathan looked as surly as the first moment I saw him, and I vaguely wondered if he was high. Or nuts. Certifiably bat shit crazy. “Fuck you,” he snarled. “I don’t have to do anything you say. My dad’s got money, too!”

“Wrong answer.” I cocked the gun. “Now. Untie her.”

Nathan trembled like he’d just seen me for the first time. He stared at me, and I saw that under the anger and shock of his face, he was scared. Finally, he turned slightly and stuck his hand in his pocket.

“Easy, man,” I said, but he only pulled out a small multi-tool and then bent to cut away the zip-ties holding Chastity’s ankles and wrists. Immediately, she cried out in relief and began rubbing her bruised and bleeding appendages.

“Get behind me, Chastity,” I ordered, keeping my eyes on her attackers. “And don’t move.”

Chastity whimpered, but she obeyed, crawling across the floor and into the corner of the room. I kept my front facing Nathan and Angela as I crossed the floor and stood protectively in front of my girl. There was nothing I wanted to do more than to pull her into my arms and kiss her wounds, but I knew I had to deal with these two criminal and violent assholes first. Where was Derrick with his fucking NYPD squad for Christ’s sake? I could use an assist.

“You’re not getting away with this,” Nathan said. He rubbed his chubby hands in front of him like some kind of cartoon villain.

I rolled my eyes. “This? What does that even mean?” I forced myself to laugh. “You didn’t even do anything. You tied up a girl who’s done literally nothing to you, and you think you’re some kind of hero?” I shook my head in disgust. “That’s fucking pathetic, bro. You need to get laid or something. Or maybe the fact that you’ve never been laid is what’s causing your issues. I’m sure there are some big hairy guys in prison who can help you with that.”

Nathan balled up his hands in rage. He quaked like a leaf, but I could tell he wasn’t going to try anything else. He obviously knew that I’d won.

“And you?” I turned to Angela. “Just what the fuck were you thinking? You’re not a kid, anymore. You’re going to jail for doing this, you know?” I turned from her to Nathan, shaking my head. “The police are on their way. I called them before I even got here. And Angela… you’re fired.”

Angela and Nathan exchanged looks. Just as Angela’s mouth flew open to speak, she changed course and launched herself right at me. I wasn’t able to move quickly enough, and she crashed into me. Nathan took advantage of my distraction and attacked me too, knocking the gun from my hand. Angela made a mad grab for it on the floor. Roaring in anger, I kicked as hard as I could. The gun skittered across the floor and under a couch, then I punched Nathan in the jaw, knocking his ass out.

Angela kept her arms locked around me, and for a moment, we staggered on the floor together. I gripped her shoulder and waist in an iron grip, in some kind of twisted waltz. Her breath smelled like wine, and her skin was warm and clammy. As soon as I tried to pull away, she dug her fingernails into my flesh and raked them across my arm. I yelped and twisted, arching my back and finally managing to dislodge the crazy woman from her death-grip on my body.

Angela stood there, her eyes crazed. Her newly-blonde hair stood up in curls and tangles all over her head, a stark contrast to her red face.

“And what about me, Chase?” Angela asked in a soft tone. A deadly tone. “What about me?”

I shook my head and glanced down at my arm – the little bitch had actually drawn blood. For some reason, despite her timid stature, she seemed more dangerous than Nathan.

“Why the hell did you do this?” I gestured behind me to Chastity, who lay curled up with her arms around her knees where her chin rested. “What on earth made you think this was a good idea? This one bad decision is going to ruin your career and probably your entire life.”

Angela stared at me with her mouth open. Her breath came in frantic bursts, and her body twitched under the force of her anger. Finally, she threw her head back and laughed. The jarring, maniacal sound settled in bone deep – not a joyful laugh, no fucking way. She cackled like someone whose been cheated out of something. It sent shivers down my spine. I desperately wished that I hadn’t dropped the gun because nothing would feel better than stopping that infernal noise by putting a cap in her ass.

“Do you remember me now, Chase?” Angela asked, her tone saccharine sweet. I stared. Her voice had changed – higher, squeakier, softer.

“Uh…” I shook my head. “You mean from Banks? You’re an intern,” I answered, no idea what she was getting at. I was in no mood for a fucking quiz. “What the hell does that have to do with anything?”

Angela licked her lips. She stepped closer, glancing down at the floor. Then she tilted her head back and looked at me. She gnawed her cheeks to make her face more angular, and her eyes opened wide, like a doe.

“What if I had red hair?” Angela asked, in the same coquettish voice.

Suddenly, the realization hit me. My jaw dropped.

“Shit,” I muttered. “Katie?”

“Katie Jergens,” Angela said, lips curling upward in a twisted smile. She crossed her arms in front of her chest, then whirled to face Chastity in the corner. “Your boyfriend is a real asshole, you know that?” Angela gloated. “He slept with me – three times! And he didn’t even remember me! You’re next, you stupid bitch. Third times a charm but then you probably haven’t made it there yet. Don’t be surprised if he kicks you to the curb after he fucks you.”

“Come on,” I groaned. “That was over two years ago! Fuck! I wasn’t even working at Banks then!”

“You didn’t even have the decency to call me!” Angela’s chin wobbled, and I saw that her eyes had filled with tears. “Three times, Chase! Three times. I could see if it was just a one-night stand and we’d both agreed to it. But you made promises. You talked about a future just so you could get your rocks off.” She narrowed her eyes into slits and glared at me with pure hatred. “I hate you!”

“Yeah, and you started stalking me,” I replied, certain she’d lost it. “Those late night phone calls? You’d hang up every time I answered the phone? Hanging around outside of my apartment, crying and waiting for me to show up? Why would I want to spend one more moment with a woman who couldn’t handle it?”

“I only did that because you were ignoring me!” Angela yelled. “I tried so hard to win you over. I finally got you as Katie, but as Angela, the real me, you wouldn’t look at me twice. And then this low-life whore with no money and no connections comes waltzing in and not only does she get the plumb job without qualifications, she gets the guy too just because she spreads her fleshy thighs. How could you, Chase? How could you sleep with a fat-ass?”

I shook my head, not believing my eyes or ears. “You’re a crazy bitch. I can’t believe you thought this little scheme would work. Did you really think you’d get away with it or didn’t you care? I have a long memory, Katie… er, Angela. And I never forgive. Or forget. You’ll never work in NYC. Hell, you’ll never work anywhere in real estate. I hope you have your own broom and mop for your new janitorial gig.”

Angela crossed her arms over her chest and struck a defiant pose. There was no sign of her tears now. As I watched, her lips twisted into an evil grin.

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Angela said. She tossed her hair over her shoulder and stomped on the ground. “I fooled you all. I fooled you, Chase, but most of all, I fooled Chastity!” She wrinkled her nose. “Oh, Angela,” she mimicked in a high-pitched, unpleasant voice. “You’re my new best friend! I can tell you everything! I’ve never had a friend like this before!”

“Shut up,” I roared. The sound of her voice made me want to slap her gloating face. How dare she mimic Chastity like that? “Shut the fuck up, you crazy bitch! You don’t have the right to even mention her name. You’re like the dog shit beneath Chastity’s shoe.”

Angela stared at me, her eyes glittering. Even without the dyed hair, she looked like a completely different person. I couldn’t believe that I’d ever thought of her as “mousy.” The girl standing in front of me looked dangerous enough to be a serial killer.

“Nathan and I decided to work together,” Angela said. She giggled. “I found him moping outside of Chastity’s apartment one night, and would you know, we had similar interests. And Nathan has deep pockets which made the whole thing even better. My dad lowered my allowance and my Banks internship doesn’t pay me enough to maintain my lifestyle.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What are you talking about?”

Angela giggled again, the sound grating on my nerves. I prayed that the cops would show up soon before I did something I might regret, like snap her twiggy neck from her skinny body.

“Well, we came up with a plan,” Angela said. “I had to work on becoming Chastity’s new best friend and gain her trust. Then, as soon as I had her, I lured her over to my apartment and called Nathan.”

“Why would you do this?” I demanded. “What’s in it for you?”

“Well, I’d soothe your hurt feelings and help you get over her, of course,” Angela simpered. “And Nathan felt a little… well, let’s just say scorned by the popular Miss Sexe. So I told him that as long as he kept her out of the way, I’d help bag her for him. Whether she wanted it or not. Hell, if she’ll fuck you, she’ll fuck anybody.”

That was it. I’d had enough of listening to this crazy cunt. I balled my hands into fists and angrily stepped forward, preparing to grab Angela and throw her down to the ground. Just as I reached for her throat, the door burst open.

“Don’t move!” One of the cops shouted over the roaring of anger in my ears. “NYPD!”