The Consequences of Sin Read online

  “We’re leaving?” I whispered as I put everything back into the envelope.

  “Not we. You are leaving, Bree.”

  “What? No. I won’t leave without you, Wes. This is our chance to finally escape. You can’t expect me to go without you!”

  He gave me a sad smile. “I didn’t have enough time to get my own documents.”

  “Wes, I’m not going to leave you here on your own!” I shouted. “My father will kill you if you come home without me.”

  He shook his head. “Not if you knocked me out and took off. He’ll be pissed, but he won’t kill me, Bree.”

  “You’re insane. I’m not going anywhere,” I said as I dropped the envelope onto his lap.

  He grabbed my face and forced me to look him in the eyes. “You’re leaving tonight, Bree. There’s a plane ticket in there. It’ll take you to New York City. Once you land, pick another place to fly to. I don’t care where you end up. Just make sure it’s a big city where you can blend in with everyone else.”

  “I won’t leave you!”

  Anger flashed in his eyes. “If you don’t leave me now, you’ll have to leave me tomorrow, Bree. Brendon will be back for you. You’ll have to go with him to Dublin. Is that what you want?”

  “No,” I whispered.

  “Then, go now. Run while you can. I can still save you, but if he takes you, there’s nothing I can do. This is your one chance at freedom. You can forget everything and start fresh. You can let your past go and have an actual life.”

  “But you’ll still be here,” I cried.

  “It doesn’t matter what happens to me, Bree. As long as you’re safe, I’ll survive.” He ran his thumb across my cheek. “I love you, Bree. I’ve always loved you. Now, go. Please.”

  I didn’t try to hide my tears as I grabbed him and tightly hugged him. “Thank you for this. I’ll never be able to repay you.”

  “I don’t expect you to. I just want you to have a fighting chance in this world.”

  “I’ll find a way to contact you once I’m settled.” I moved away and opened my car door. I pulled my gun out and slipped it into the glove box.

  “No,” he said sharply. “No matter what, do not contact me. It would be too dangerous for both of us.”

  I stared at him for a moment before getting out of the car. “Then, this is good-bye,” I said quietly. “I love you, Wes.”

  I closed the door and turned away from the car before I could change my mind and climb back in. All of this was happening so fast. It was too much. I felt like I was living in a dream as I walked across the parking lot. I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that I was going to actually be free. For so long, I’d dreamed of this day, but I’d never expected it to become a reality. And I always thought that if it did happen, Wesley and I would escape together.

  “Bree, wait!”

  I turned to see Wesley running across the parking lot toward me. He stopped in front of me with the most heartbroken expression on his face.

  “I love you, Bree,” he whispered.

  I smiled. “I know.

  He stepped closer and cupped my cheek. “No, Bree. I love you.”

  I gave him a confused look. “Wha—”

  I was cut off when he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. I sucked in a shocked breath, unable to process what was happening. He softly kissed me, his lips telling me everything I’d been blind to. I kissed him back as I realized that I was experiencing my first kiss.

  He released my cheek and wrapped his arms around me as he deepened the kiss.

  Finally, he pulled away and looked down at me. “Good-bye, Bree,” he whispered before turning and walking away.

  I watched in stunned silence as he got into the car and pulled away.

  I’d slept through most of the flight to New York City. Now at JFK Airport, I stared at the flights that would be leaving within the next few hours. The city names flashed before my eyes as I tried to figure out what to do, where to go.

  My knowledge of the United States wasn’t very impressive at all. We’d discussed a few things in my lessons, but most of those had been about the history of the country. The only things I knew about the US were from shows I’d watched on TV, and I’d rarely had time to do that.

  My eyes scanned the board again. Columbus, DC, Orlando, Dallas, Seattle, Los Angeles. There were so many to choose from. I was about to pick my future from a list of cities I knew nothing about. I sighed and closed my eyes. Whatever name I saw first when I opened them was where I would go.

  I counted to ten before opening my eyes. Dallas. I was about to become a resident of Texas. The only thing I knew about that state was the fact that it had cowboys who walked around shirtless. At least, that was what I’d learned from TV.

  I shrugged. It could’ve been worse.

  I walked to the nearest ticket counter and purchased a one-way ticket to Dallas. I had to run to the other side of the airport to catch my flight. I reached the gate just as they were about to close the door. The flight attendant shot me an evil glare before pointing to an empty seat.

  My new life was really happening. I couldn’t believe it.

  In Dallas, I sat on a bench in the airport and powered on my throwaway smartphone that Wesley had given me. He’d picked up one of the really nice ones that could access the Internet. I searched Dallas listings for a hotel that was far away from the airport. I needed a place to stay for a day or two until I could get everything sorted out.

  Wesley had given me ten thousand American dollars to get me started. I had no idea how he’d managed to get that much, but I was grateful. It would hold me over until I could find a place to live and a job.

  I found a hotel in the middle of downtown Dallas that seemed nice enough. Hopefully, there would be apartments nearby that I could look at.

  I took a cab to the hotel and walked in, hoping they had an available room.

  “Can I help you?” the woman behind the counter asked.

  I fought to hide my grin. Her accent was strong, one of the strongest I’d heard since I landed. Southern accents were lovely.

  “I need a room for a few days,” I said finally.

  She nodded before typing away on her computer. “We have a few open. Do you want two full beds or a king?”

  “King, please,” I said.

  She started typing again. “I need a credit card and a copy of your license.”

  I dug through my purse and pulled out the envelope Wesley had given me. I was so nervous that my hands shook. If the card or license he’d given me didn’t work, I would be royally screwed.

  I handed both to her and held my breath as she processed everything. A moment later, she handed them back to me along with a key card for a room.

  “You’re good to go. Your room is on the twelfth floor.”

  “Thank you.” I snatched the cards out of her hand and hurried to the elevators.

  My room was located on the end of the hallway on the twelfth floor. When I stepped inside, I walked directly to the window and looked out. My breath caught in my throat as I stared. Dallas was beautiful. The sun was setting, and a gorgeous pink sky surrounded the city.

  I looked down at the street below me. Cars passed by, honking as they went. Pedestrians walked the sidewalks—some alone, some in groups. Everyone was living their simply normal lives. None of them had any idea what the world could be like.

  I shook my head as I moved away from the window. I was one of them now.

  My past was behind me, and I could start over. I had no doubt that Wesley would do everything in his power to make sure my father couldn’t find me, but there was a good chance he eventually would.

  I wouldn’t let myself think about that.

  I was free, thanks to Wesley, and I would never willingly go back.

  I walked over to the king-sized bed and sat down. I couldn’t think about my father or Wesley right now. I had to get my life in order. Besides the clothes on my back, I had none. I also had no weapon. I nee
ded to quickly fix both of those problems.

  I searched on my phone, looking for the closest gun shop and mall I could find. I smiled when I realized that I was only a few minutes away from a mall. The gun shop was a bit farther away, so I’d have to take a cab to get there.

  I threw my phone in my purse and headed back out. It was time to start my new life.

  Four hours later, I was back in my hotel room with five new outfits, two sets of pajamas, two pairs of shoes, a duffel bag, and a Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .38 handgun. It was lightweight and easy to conceal. I had also grabbed a bottle of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash along with a little bit of makeup. I’d picked up a box of hair dye as well since my license photo showed me with black hair.

  I dropped the bags onto the floor and pulled out the hair dye, toiletries, a pair of pajamas, and underwear. I walked to the bathroom while carefully reading the hair dye directions. It seemed simple enough. I brushed my hair and mixed the solution into a bottle. After pulling on a pair of disposable gloves, I carefully applied the dye to all of my hair. I set a timer on my phone and waited nervously. When the timer went off, I rinsed my hair, not daring to look in the mirror just yet.

  I peeled off my shirt and tossed it on the floor next to the shower. My shoes, undergarments, and pants went next. After flying for so many hours, I desperately needed a shower.

  Out of habit, I put my gun on the sink next to my clothes. It made me feel better to know that it was close to me. I showered quickly before dressing and wrapping a towel around my head. I walked back to the bedroom, put my gun in the nightstand, and dropped down onto the bed. It was amazing what a shower could do for a person. I felt ten times better.

  I flipped through TV channels for a few minutes to pass the time before finally walking back to the bathroom. I slowly pulled the towel off my head, my eyes never leaving my reflection in the mirror. When the towel fell away, I gasped in shock. I looked so different with dark hair. I took a moment to mourn the loss of my blonde hair before pushing the thought aside. I had a chance to start over. If that meant sacrificing my hair, then so be it.

  I walked back to the bed and grabbed my phone off the nightstand to start searching for jobs in the area. Finding a job was going to be a serious problem for me. Wesley had managed to provide me with a high school diploma, but I had nothing else—no job experience, no college courses, nothing. It wasn’t like I could walk into a business and tell them I used to kill people for a living.

  I was royally screwed. I’d have to get a crummy job that paid next to nothing. I knew that, but it still sucked. The money Wesley had given me wouldn’t last forever. Once it was gone, I’d have to find a way to afford my own place and everything else I needed.

  I sighed. The next few weeks were going to be a nightmare. I knew that, but it didn’t lower my spirits at all. I was free. That would make working a shitty job totally worth it. I dropped my phone on the nightstand and closed my eyes.

  I was smart and resourceful. I would figure it out.

  The following morning, I headed out in search of a place to stay and a job. I desperately needed an apartment. The hotel I was staying at would deplete what funds I had in no time.

  I stopped at a local coffee shop next to my hotel. While I wasn’t the biggest fan of coffee, I knew I was going to need something to keep me going today. I was determined not to go back to my hotel room until I found a place to stay.

  As I was about to walk out of the coffee shop, I noticed a board filled with want ads. I stopped and looked at a few of them, hoping I could find something I would be able to do. Most of the jobs were well above my skills, but an ad for an apartment caught my eyes. I moved another piece of paper away to read it fully.

  SEEKING ROOMMATE. TOTAL RENT IS $1500.00. 2 BEDROOMS, 1 BATH. LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN DALLAS.

  I quickly grabbed a napkin and borrowed a pen from someone at a nearby table to write down the address listed on the ad. I searched on my phone and saw that it was only a few minutes away. I hurried out of the shop and followed my phone’s GPS directions for a few blocks.

  I had no idea why I hadn’t thought of trying to find a roommate before. Paying rent on my own would be a bitch. If I had a roommate, I would have someone to split the rent with. I just hoped whoever lived at the address wasn’t a creep. Without thinking, I reached into my purse and felt for my gun. I didn’t dare pull it out in the middle of the street, but the feel of it alone was enough to calm my nerves.

  When I reached the building, I was surprised to see that it was fairly new. I’d expected a shabby old place. I walked inside and took the elevator up to the fourth floor, which was where the ad had said to go. I walked down the hallway, looking for the door marked 4F. Once I located it, I knocked loudly and stepped back. I sent a silent prayer up that I could find a place to stay without searching all day.

  When the door opened, my eyes widened in surprise. The most gorgeous man I’d ever seen was staring back at me. I blinked twice to make sure that he wasn’t just a figment of my imagination.

  Nope, still there.

  His hair was black and a bit shaggy, dropping down into his eyes. His nose was thin and straight, his lips were full, and his strong jaw was covered in a couple days’ worth of stubble. But it was his eyes that did me in. They were the brightest blue I’d ever seen. They looked almost otherworldly.

  My eyes dropped to the tight black T-shirt he was wearing. It hugged his body in a way that left little to the imagination. This man was built. I noticed tattoos running the lengths of his arms, but I couldn’t tell what they were.

  “Can I help you?” he asked, his deep voice making me shiver. He had a deep Southern drawl. It seemed to be the norm around here.

  My eyes shot up to his. I was suddenly embarrassed by the way I was checking him out. “Uh, yes, I saw your ad in the coffee shop. I was wondering if you’d found anyone to room with yet.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Nice accent.”

  “Uh…thanks?” I said, surprised.

  He grinned. “British, right?”

  I nodded. “Yes, I just moved here from London.”

  He nodded before stepping back. “I haven’t found anyone yet. You’re more than welcome to come in and look the place over.”

  “Thank you,” I said as I moved past him.

  I stopped once I was inside the apartment, and I looked around. I was standing in a living room. The carpet was a medium-gray color, and the walls were plain white. A dark gray couch and two chairs sat in the room. An entertainment stand was set up against the far wall. I saw speakers, a game system, and a few other tech gadgets on it. A large flat screen TV was mounted to the wall above it.

  “This is the living room—obviously,” he said from behind me.

  I turned and smiled at him. “It’s very nice.” I held out my hand. “I’m Bree, by the way. Bree Reynolds.”

  He took my hand and shook it. “I’m Reid Simmons.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Reid.”

  “Come on. I’ll show you the rest of the place,” Reid said as he dropped my hand.

  He walked by me, and I followed him into the kitchen. It was tiny but clean. The walls were white, and the floors were a pretty marbled linoleum. A black stove and refrigerator were set side by side. A small table was at the far end of the room.

  “This is the kitchen and dining room, all in one. I don’t cook much, so I really don’t have much to say about it,” Reid said.

  I smiled at him. “It’s lovely.”

  He smirked. “Lovely?”

  I shrugged. “Can I see the rest of the place?”

  I followed him as he walked back into the living room, and then he cut down a small hallway. The first door we stopped at was the bathroom. It had a shower stall but no tub. That was depressing. I loved taking baths. The counter was large enough that Reid and I would each have our own sides. That was a plus. It almost made up for the lack of a tub.

  “And this is the available bedroom. Mine is directly
across the hall,” Reid said as he opened the door for me.

  I glanced inside. A queen-sized bed sat against the far wall. The floor was hardwood. The walls were white just like the rest of the house. A dresser sat a few feet away from the door. There was a nightstand pushed between the one window and the bed. A door that I assumed led to a closet was directly across from the bed. The room wasn’t huge, but it had more room than I would need, especially since everything I owned fit into a duffel bag.

  “And that’s the grand tour,” Reid said as we walked back into the living room. “The washers and dryers are in the bottom of the building. They’re free though, so that’s a plus.”

  “And the rent is fifteen hundred a month?” I asked.

  He nodded. “Yeah, we would split that, so you’d be responsible for seven fifty.”

  “That sounds fair,” I said, growing excited.

  The apartment was nice, and Reid didn’t seem like a total asshole.

  “Have you lived with anyone before?” Reid asked.

  I hesitated before answering. I didn’t want to tell anyone more than I had to about my past. It was safer for everyone if they knew nothing. “I lived with my father before coming here.”

  “But never a roommate?” he asked.

  I shook my head. “No.”

  “All right. Look, you seem like a nice girl. If you want the room, it’s yours, but we need to cover a few ground rules first.”

  “Okay.”

  “We’ll be living in close quarters with each other. Living with someone you barely know can get…irritating. I have my life, and you have yours. I’m going to do things that piss you off, and you’ll do things that will piss me off. I’m not going to deal with you constantly nagging me over shit, and I won’t bitch at you. You leave me alone, and I’ll return the favor, okay? I work nights, and I’m usually a grumpy bastard when I get home. If I’m asleep, let me sleep. Understand? Also, I don’t usually have parties, so you don’t have to worry about that, but I do have friends over sometimes, and I don’t want you getting pissy if you come home and see people here that you don’t know. You’re more than welcome to invite friends over, too. Do you think you can handle all of that?”