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Chapter 24
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Blind Faith Chapter 25
Cliff let the paper fall back to the polished burl-wood desk. The picture of Rainair standing next to Gideon Taylor on a cruise ship glimmered in the sunlight like a taunting lure. She was smiling, completely unaware her photo had been snapped—whoring little bitch. Her smile alone was enough to set Cliff off on a rampage. He poured himself another glass of Balvenie Single Malt and took a swig of the smooth amber liquor. Rainair was proving to be more of a nuisance than a benefit these days. He had allowed her to run free for long enough. Now it was time to rein her in. The bitch wanted a divorce? Well, that could certainly be arranged.The law firm she held shares in was primed for selling, but he’d be damned if she’d receive a single penny. B&B Associates was his baby from the start. She ended up on the board by default, back when she was easy to control. Now, she was running around with some wealthy buck from old money, flaunting herself like a whore. It was time to put an end t
Blind Faith Chapter 26
Anna ran to her apartment and grabbed her pack, the one Rai told her to prepare for this day. Without hesitation, she left the building, using the stairs instead of the elevator. Rai’s instructions played out in Anna’s mind like dominos falling in slow motion.As she made her way to the ferry, she called the police. Her next call was to Gideon.“Anna?” His voice was clipped, impatient. “He took her,” she quivered.“Who?”She remembered that Gideon knew nothing of Cliff and swallowed hard.“Anna? Took who?”“Rai. Cliff came back for her. He’s going to kill her.”“Where are you?”“I’m heading for the ferry. Rai told me to leave if this day ever came. She gave me precise instructions.”“Come to my office, you hear me? You’ll be safe here.”Anna closed her eyes and breathed deep, trying to keep her fear in check. “Okay.”Rai opened her eyes. The scent of hickory and clove assaulted her nose. She was in a car, a limousine. They were on the road.“Wakey, wakey,” Cliff said, slapp
Blind Faith Chapter 27
By the time they reached Taylor Enterprises, she had succumbed to her exhaustion. She awoke to a sharp jab to her ribs. “Wake up.”Nope, it was not a nightmare, it was real. Her overbearing husband was sitting next to her and her face still ached.Cliff got out of the limo and walked around to open her door; not because he was a gentleman. He hauled her out of her seat as if she were a duffle bag he wanted to sling over his shoulder. Instead of being lifted, however, her legs buckled beneath her and her knees slammed onto the cement.“Don’t be so damned clumsy,” he gritted out, pulling her to her feet. “My God, you are an embarrassment.”She tried to fling his hand from her arm, but his grip was like that of an enraged gorilla.“Enough!” He shook her.They made their way up the marble steps and into the lobby. James, from security, greeted them with hesitation.“Uh, good afternoon, Ms. Landry.”“We are here to see Gideon Taylor,” Cliff announced, pushing his way to the elevator
Blind Faith Chapter 28
As promised, Wes had Rai’s apartment restored with all of her belongings. Anna’s door would be fixed tomorrow. She was planning to spend the night with Simon, who had refused to let her out of his sight.Rai still felt a bit shaken as Gideon settled her onto the couch with a glass of Bordeaux. “I still can’t believe he is out of my life. I can’t help thinking he will find a way out of this—he always does.”“Not this time.” Gideon placed his hand on hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Anna is making sure your divorce is filed.”Rai chuffed, as if all of this were a dream not close to reality. She shook her head, still in a daze of disbelief.“Cliff told me you were one of the top corporate lawyers in New York.” Gideon poured them both a bit more wine.She took a long pull of the sweet juice. Talking about that time of her life was like recalling another life she wanted little to do with. Her fingers drummed against the smooth surface of the glass. “He and I had a law firm together.
Blind Faith Chapter 29
“The bastard has connections, bro. He never even saw a cell and I doubt he was ever booked. I informed you as soon as I heard.”Gideon glanced over at Rai. By the fear in her eyes, she knew the subject matter of this conversation. “What about the iron-clad evidence against him?”“It was dismissed?”“What? How?”“I don’t know, but I intend to find out. Someone up the chain is dirty. Uncovering them may cost me my job.”“What can we do on our end?”“Just lay low. I have a few connections of my own. I’m sure Vadik will be interested in hearing how Clifford ratted him out, along with a few other Bratva members. A few well-placed rumors should take care of Clifford Bishop.”“Take care, Ryan, and thank you.”“No worries, bro. The more I learn about this bastard, the more I’m convinced he is the worst kind of asshole. It will be a pleasure bringing him down, even if I have to dance with the dark side to do it.”“Tread lightly mate.”“Will do.”Gideon put the car in gear and drove s
Blind Faith Chapter 30
The text was short and to the point:I’m coming for you, bitch.Rai nearly dropped the phone, but her desperation to reach Anna was greater than her fear. Her hands trembled so much, she could not manage to dial her friend’s number. She decided to use Siri instead. The tremble in her voice caught Gideon’s attention.He finished drying the morning dishes before stepping by her side. “What is it?” He asked.“Come on,” Rai chanted. “Pick up the phone, Anna girl. Pick it up!” Anna’s voicemail chirped her greeting. Rai left another message.“I have not heard from Simon, either, which is odd. We typically play tennis on Tuesday. I could not reach him to cancel.”“Something is wrong. Anna never takes long to answer my texts and she rarely ignores my calls.”“Come on. Let’s take a drive. We’ll check Simon’s flat first, and then Anna’s.”Rai grabbed her phone and cane. She didn’t care about taking anything else. Hank stood next to her, his tail wagging in anticipation of a ride. He offe
Blind Faith Chapter 31
Gideon brought Rai a glass of wine. “You seem to be a bit out of sorts tonight, love. Want to talk about it?” He sat next to her on the couch.Instead of driving back to Seattle, he had taken her out to dinner, and then rented a room at the Baymont. Not nearly as nice as his flat, but comfortable all the same. She was grateful for the chance to be closer to Anna. The nurse assured her that she would call if things took a turn for the worse.Gideon’s question was more like a command than an inquiry, she thought. She imagined his brows scrunched together and a piercing look in his eyes. Were they brown or blue? She never asked.“You’re frowning,” he commented. “What color are your eyes?”“Brown, and you are changing the subject.” His tone took on a deep resonance that sent chills up her spine.“Brown. Really. Dark or light?”“Rai.”She took a sip of her wine; crisp, bright, and dry—Petite Syrah? “I’m seriously curious. I actually have no idea what you look like. Anna said you are
Blind Faith Chapter 32
Rai and Gideon entered room 901 to find Simon and Anna laughing and playing a game of hearts.“Rai, you’re here,” Anna laughed, and then winced with pain. “You’re just in time to save Simon here from losing his shirt.”“You don’t entirely play fair, lady.”Rai made her way to Anna’s bed and leaned down to give her friend a hug. “Thank God you’re alright,” she whispered, tightening her hold.“Hey, are you okay?” Anna asked.Rai scoffed and wiped away the tear trailing down her cheek. “Am I okay? Girl, you are the one in the hospital.”“Yeah, for once, I’m not the one staring down at you. That Cliff is a true, sociopathic daemon. The look in his dead eyes was enough to send me into a fear coma. It was like everything I had learned simply vanished from my head. All the things we teach our students did not apply.”“I know the feeling,” said Rai. “I don’t think we address fear enough in our classes. That needs to change.”Gideon and Simon spoke quietly in the corner of the room and
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Blind Faith Chapter 34
Gideon laid rai down in bed, her hands were bandaged and her face was slightly swollen, mostly from the tears she had cried. It had been a long week. Hank curled up next to the bed. He would not leave Rai’s side, and that thought made Gideon smile.The fear he had felt when that gunshot rang caused him to sink to his knees. Rai collapsed in his arms. He checked her for wounds, but she was not hit. When he glanced over at Cliff ’s still form, he saw his brother-in-law’s gun smoking. Cliff never fired a round.Gideon closed the bedroom door and joined Ryan on the couch. Two glasses of whiskey waited on the smoked-glass table. Gideon took a long sip and leaned back.“Is she okay?” his brother-in-law asked.“I don’t know. She hasn’t spoken a word since we left the hospital.”Ryan nodded. “She’s still in shock. The rest will do her good.” He sipped his drink and smiled. “Quite the fighter, eh? I wasn’t sure you could pull her off him.”“I’ve never seen her enraged like that.”“Years
Blind Faith Chapter 33
Gideon had been unusually somber over the past three days. They made love, chatted over coffee, but it all seemed clouded with something Rai could not quite place. They sat now at the kitchen table, steaming cups of coffee in hand, and Gideon brooding in silence.“Is there a reason for this somber mood of yours?” She finally asked.“You’re meeting that monster at two o’clock.” There was a hardness in his voice. The meeting might have been the foremost on his mind, but there was something much deeper chipping at him.“Is that all?”She heard him take a deep breath. “You kept the truth from me, Rai. That is the same as lying.”She sipped her coffee, carefully listening to his words, trying to look beyond the gambit of emotions sharpening his tone.“I feel as if you still do not trust me, but for reasons I cannot comprehend. Your insane plan of handling Cliff on your own could have ended you, ended us. Yet, you still did not trust me enough to include me.”She maintained her silenc
Blind Faith Chapter 32
Rai and Gideon entered room 901 to find Simon and Anna laughing and playing a game of hearts.“Rai, you’re here,” Anna laughed, and then winced with pain. “You’re just in time to save Simon here from losing his shirt.”“You don’t entirely play fair, lady.”Rai made her way to Anna’s bed and leaned down to give her friend a hug. “Thank God you’re alright,” she whispered, tightening her hold.“Hey, are you okay?” Anna asked.Rai scoffed and wiped away the tear trailing down her cheek. “Am I okay? Girl, you are the one in the hospital.”“Yeah, for once, I’m not the one staring down at you. That Cliff is a true, sociopathic daemon. The look in his dead eyes was enough to send me into a fear coma. It was like everything I had learned simply vanished from my head. All the things we teach our students did not apply.”“I know the feeling,” said Rai. “I don’t think we address fear enough in our classes. That needs to change.”Gideon and Simon spoke quietly in the corner of the room and
Blind Faith Chapter 31
Gideon brought Rai a glass of wine. “You seem to be a bit out of sorts tonight, love. Want to talk about it?” He sat next to her on the couch.Instead of driving back to Seattle, he had taken her out to dinner, and then rented a room at the Baymont. Not nearly as nice as his flat, but comfortable all the same. She was grateful for the chance to be closer to Anna. The nurse assured her that she would call if things took a turn for the worse.Gideon’s question was more like a command than an inquiry, she thought. She imagined his brows scrunched together and a piercing look in his eyes. Were they brown or blue? She never asked.“You’re frowning,” he commented. “What color are your eyes?”“Brown, and you are changing the subject.” His tone took on a deep resonance that sent chills up her spine.“Brown. Really. Dark or light?”“Rai.”She took a sip of her wine; crisp, bright, and dry—Petite Syrah? “I’m seriously curious. I actually have no idea what you look like. Anna said you are
Blind Faith Chapter 30
The text was short and to the point:I’m coming for you, bitch.Rai nearly dropped the phone, but her desperation to reach Anna was greater than her fear. Her hands trembled so much, she could not manage to dial her friend’s number. She decided to use Siri instead. The tremble in her voice caught Gideon’s attention.He finished drying the morning dishes before stepping by her side. “What is it?” He asked.“Come on,” Rai chanted. “Pick up the phone, Anna girl. Pick it up!” Anna’s voicemail chirped her greeting. Rai left another message.“I have not heard from Simon, either, which is odd. We typically play tennis on Tuesday. I could not reach him to cancel.”“Something is wrong. Anna never takes long to answer my texts and she rarely ignores my calls.”“Come on. Let’s take a drive. We’ll check Simon’s flat first, and then Anna’s.”Rai grabbed her phone and cane. She didn’t care about taking anything else. Hank stood next to her, his tail wagging in anticipation of a ride. He offe
Blind Faith Chapter 29
“The bastard has connections, bro. He never even saw a cell and I doubt he was ever booked. I informed you as soon as I heard.”Gideon glanced over at Rai. By the fear in her eyes, she knew the subject matter of this conversation. “What about the iron-clad evidence against him?”“It was dismissed?”“What? How?”“I don’t know, but I intend to find out. Someone up the chain is dirty. Uncovering them may cost me my job.”“What can we do on our end?”“Just lay low. I have a few connections of my own. I’m sure Vadik will be interested in hearing how Clifford ratted him out, along with a few other Bratva members. A few well-placed rumors should take care of Clifford Bishop.”“Take care, Ryan, and thank you.”“No worries, bro. The more I learn about this bastard, the more I’m convinced he is the worst kind of asshole. It will be a pleasure bringing him down, even if I have to dance with the dark side to do it.”“Tread lightly mate.”“Will do.”Gideon put the car in gear and drove s
Blind Faith Chapter 28
As promised, Wes had Rai’s apartment restored with all of her belongings. Anna’s door would be fixed tomorrow. She was planning to spend the night with Simon, who had refused to let her out of his sight.Rai still felt a bit shaken as Gideon settled her onto the couch with a glass of Bordeaux. “I still can’t believe he is out of my life. I can’t help thinking he will find a way out of this—he always does.”“Not this time.” Gideon placed his hand on hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Anna is making sure your divorce is filed.”Rai chuffed, as if all of this were a dream not close to reality. She shook her head, still in a daze of disbelief.“Cliff told me you were one of the top corporate lawyers in New York.” Gideon poured them both a bit more wine.She took a long pull of the sweet juice. Talking about that time of her life was like recalling another life she wanted little to do with. Her fingers drummed against the smooth surface of the glass. “He and I had a law firm together.
Blind Faith Chapter 27
By the time they reached Taylor Enterprises, she had succumbed to her exhaustion. She awoke to a sharp jab to her ribs. “Wake up.”Nope, it was not a nightmare, it was real. Her overbearing husband was sitting next to her and her face still ached.Cliff got out of the limo and walked around to open her door; not because he was a gentleman. He hauled her out of her seat as if she were a duffle bag he wanted to sling over his shoulder. Instead of being lifted, however, her legs buckled beneath her and her knees slammed onto the cement.“Don’t be so damned clumsy,” he gritted out, pulling her to her feet. “My God, you are an embarrassment.”She tried to fling his hand from her arm, but his grip was like that of an enraged gorilla.“Enough!” He shook her.They made their way up the marble steps and into the lobby. James, from security, greeted them with hesitation.“Uh, good afternoon, Ms. Landry.”“We are here to see Gideon Taylor,” Cliff announced, pushing his way to the elevator
