Big And Bad (Book Two)

Chapter Eight

 Merlot and I walked with Maplé and Ash out of the building. We headed for my car. I pressed the unlock button and opened the trunk. Maplé and Ash reached in there.

Merlot's smile disappeared. There was only person I can think of who had a pistol to shoot at us with. But I had no proof that Axel did it.

"The asshole who did this had to be behind you," Ash said, putting the bullets in his jeans pocket.

Merlot crossed his arms. "If his aim wasn't off, you and Candy would be dead."

"Did you see the car behind them?"

"It was dark as fuck, but I think it was a white car."

 Alright. I was wrong. Axel never drove around in a white car. It couldn't be him.

Shit. That meant a stranger shot at me and Candy. I was back at square one. Someone could be watching us from a distance.

I looked behind me and across the street. The coast was clear. For now.

"What's the problem?" Merlot asked, furrow ing hos brow.

I sighed. "Nothing. I was checking something."

"Checking what?"

"I was trying to see if someone was watching us."

"Damn. Looks like you need a bodyguard."

That sounded like a good idea. But I didn't want to hire a stranger to protect me. Beverly and Boone already had my back.

Ash whispered in Maplè's ear. Maplè smiled. They both stared at Merlot. I furrowed my brow. What was going on?

"Merlot could be your bodyguard," Maplè suggested.

I took a sip of my coffee. "No. I don't know him that well."

"You could get to know him, since he's dating your sister."

"What?"

"You didn't know that?"

"No."

Maplè gave Merlot an apologetic look. Her and Ash walked to their gray Scion. I turned to face Merlot. He laughed like nothing was wrong.

That chase wasn't the only secret Beverly kept from me.

I clenched my fist. Suddenly, it was wet. Merlot stopped laughing. I looked down at my hand. It was covered with slightly warm coffee.

"Before you get all fired up, I just wanted to let you know that Maplè is wrong," Merlot said.

I loosened the grip on my fist. "For real?"

"Yeah. She saw me hugging Beverly and took it out of context."

"Good. But I'm watching you."

"We can take an intermission first, though."

He gave me a white napkin. I wiped my hand as I walked back inside my office. My phone rang when I entered the bathroom. It kept ringing while I washed my hand.

After the third ring, I answered the phone.Someone was breathing heavily. I left the bathroom and hung up. They can prank someone else. I stopped in the doorway of my office.

Merlot and Maplè sat in front of my desk. They were looking at a list of white cars on a black laptop. Merlot shook his head as Maplè scrolled down the page. Both of them turned around when my phone rang again.

I accepted the call. "Hey. Did you catch your breath yet?"

"Yeah. I found this on my car," Beverly answered, letting out a sob.

My phone vibrated. I checked it. A photo of the windshield appeared on the screen. It covered in blood. The note said 'You can run, but you can't hide'.

What the fuck?

A gasp made me look up from the photo. Maplè stood next to me, staring down at it. She tapped Merlot on the shoulder. He got up and looked at the photo too.

"Stay right there. I'm coming over," I said, grabbing my briefcase.

Beverly sniffled. "Okay. Text me when you get there."

"Alright. Bye."

She hung up. I nearly ran out of my office. This situation just got worse. I had no idea who did this, but he clearly but he clearly knew Beverly.

I got in my car and speed down the road. My grip on the steering wheel tightened. Thank God, there was no traffic. Otherwise, that sick motherfucker might hurt Beverly. 

 Five minutes later, I parked in front of Beverly's blue house. I got out of my car and ran to the front door. Just then, Ash and Maplè's car parked behind mine. I quickly sent Beverly a message.

I'm here.

The front door opened. Beverly stood in front of me, with tears running down her face. She hugged me tightly. The only sound we could hear was footsteps.

Beverly sobbed. Her tears soaked my shirt. That didn't matter to me. I was glad she wasn't hurt.

Merlot stood next to us, catching his breath. Beverly turned her head to look at him. She hugged him too.

"Thank you for coming here."

"No problem. At least, you're okay," Merlot said, wiping her tears.

That didn't seem very platonic. But I stayed quiet in that moment. It wasn't the right time to bring that up. After Beverly let go of Merlot, we went inside the house.