Conklin's Corruption (#3) (Conklin's Trilogy) (23 page)

“So you did put the tracking device in my car!”

His eyes flew to the ceiling in annoyance.  “Maybe I did.  It’s not that big of a deal, Becca,” he grumbled.

“Why wouldn’t you tell me?  What is going on that’s so dangerous?  Is it because of the Valentine’s Day fundraiser?  I thought you said that was a prank?” I asked, trying to reign in my temper.

“It was,” he answered quickly.  “If it bothers you that much I’ll have it uninstalled.”

His mood changed from frustration to compliance way too suddenly.

“Okay,” I said a little grouchier than I meant to.  I crossed my arms again, feeling very small in the room.  I didn’t mean to come and pick a fight, and I didn’t expect him to give up so easily.  But he still wasn’t telling me something.

He stepped around his desk so we were facing each other again.  The urge to reach out and hold him was overwhelming.  I hated being frustrated with him, and the only reason I was so edgy was because we hadn’t seen each other nearly as much as we had grown accustom to.  It didn’t help how shut off he was from RJ’s death either.  I loved him so much.  All I wanted was for him to trust and feel comfortable enough to rely on me to help him through his troubles.  A tear escaped my eye before I could blink it away.  I was emotionally drained.

He sighed deeply, the air taking its time to escape his nose.  Then he raised his hand to brush the tear from my cheek, cupping my face with his hand.  I guess I didn’t move in time for him to not see.  “Will that make you happy?” he murmured.

I nodded my head, still not looking in his eyes.  He thought for a moment then lowered his hand to wrap his arms around me.  I sank into him, craving his comfort and automatically wrapping my arms around his waist in return.  This was what I needed, what I missed.  Even though he was still hiding something from me, I wouldn’t push it, not now.  I was terrified he’d step away from this moment of solace that I wanted desperately.

He kissed my temple as he rubbed my back.  “Where did you take the car?  Maybe they can fit you in later this afternoon to get the tracking system removed.”

I froze in his arms. 

Tyler pulled back to look me in the eye.  “Where did you take the car?” he asked more forcefully.

I swallowed hard.  “I brought it to Gage’s garage.”

Tyler immediately dropped his hands.  “Why?” he asked with disgust.  “Why wouldn’t you bring it to the dealership like I told you to?  Did you just want to see him?”

I gripped his waist tighter, my body upset with me for causing Tyler to let it go.  “I just, I’m not sure why I went there.  I haven’t seen him in a while—”

“You’re not fucking him, that’s why you haven’t seen him in awhile,” he bit.

My jaw dropped along with my arms.  How dare he say that! 

“No, I’m not fucking anyone lately,” I said harshly.

His eyes grew narrow, and I instantly regretted what I had just said.

“Actually, I fucked you pretty hard yesterday if that mark on your shoulder isn’t enough of a reminder.  The world doesn’t revolve around you, Becca!  I have to uphold this goddamn business for my grand…,” his voice faded.  “I can’t let this business fall through the cracks.  You want that nice car?   You want to get your hair and nails done?  Have everything
waxed
? Have that house with lakefront acreage?  Well, it doesn’t come cheap.”

I narrowed my eyes at him.  “I don’t need you to take care of me,” I said through gritted teeth.  “That’s not why I fell in love with you!  Although lately, it sure doesn’t feel mutual!”

He stared at me, his jaw slacking this time.  “Don’t fucking say that, not to me, Becca.  Everything I’m doing is because of you, for you!”

“What exactly are you doing?  Because like I said, I don’t need your money, Tyler.  I won’t ever need it!”

He rolled his eyes and walked away from me throwing his head back.  “Oh, that’s right, you have a daddy who can give you everything.”

“Who are you?” I asked harshly.  “You know I don’t care about money.”

He turned to face me again, but this time he looked defeated.  I stood there, waiting for him to correct himself, to say he was sorry and tired and didn’t know what he was talking about.  But he didn’t.  He didn’t move a muscle as though he were waiting for me to speak.

“I don’t know how much longer I can take you acting like this,” I whispered.  He was still silent, but now he wouldn’t look at me.

Even though my voice was strong and my shoulders were squared to him, my lip started to quiver.  I wasn’t one to argue and fight or point fingers. We always talked through our problems, but I was going to take the easy way out this time.  I turned and walked out of his office, not saying a word.

***

Tears poured down my face like rain my entire drive home.  Tyler’s hurtful words were burned into my memory and kept replaying in my mind.  Was this who he was going to be the rest of our lives?  A cold hearted jerk who couldn’t handle his emotions?  A man who would do anything possible to not open up to me?  And the secrets… I thought we were past that.  How could he not realize one of the most important ways to keep me safe was by keeping me involved?  Filling me in on anything suspicious.  Shouldn’t I know what to watch for? 

Everything pointed to that slimy Lee Chino.  I processed my thoughts, trying to calculate what I knew that was a threat. 

Lee was into narcotics.

Lee had subdivisions and warehouses built by Conklin.

A very drunk Tyler insinuated something very illegal was happening with his grandfather and the company by talking about going to jail.

I shook my head, feeling dizzy from trying to put the pieces together.

When I got home, I methodically made dinner, not bothering to make something for Tyler.  We hadn’t eaten dinner together the past two weeks.  I was losing faith in him coming home.  He kept telling me he just needed time, but the nightmare of him being gone just as my father had been kept creeping in my mind.  I didn’t want that.  I wanted him, all of him.  No secrets, no traveling, just normal hours, dinners, and nightly love making.  Was that too much to ask for?

I decided to call Jamie after I ate.  She always made me feel better.  Maybe she would be willing to make a trip out to see me since she was in town.

“Did you have another rough day?  You sound beat up about something,” she asked after our traditional greetings.

“I’m flustered and worried about Tyler.  I never see him anymore, and he hasn’t talked to me.”

“I know you’re sick of hearing this, but he lost his dad, Becca.  Yeah, they didn’t have the best relationship, but sometimes that can make losing someone harder.  It’s not easy hearing good things about a person at their funeral when you really couldn’t stand being around them.  He’s probably feeling guilty for thinking his dad was such an asshole.”

I knew he was guilty.  Whatever he found out about the other night proved that.  Remorse was written all over his face, even through his drunken state.

“I think you’re right.  I don’t like how he’s pushing me away.”

“Time, Becca.  If he doesn’t shape up, then you bring in the gauntlet.  Threaten to leave.”

I gasped as my knees went weak, my hand catching my balance on the kitchen counter.  My chest tightened and my breath caught in my throat.  Leaving Tyler… I couldn’t imagine.

“Let’s hope it doesn’t get to that,” I said shakily.

Jamie laughed.  “I doubt it will.  I booked my flight from Miami to Chicago today for dress shopping!” she said excitedly.  I was thankful for the subject change and enjoyed catching up on details about the wedding for the next hour.

“I’m SO glad I get to walk down the aisle with Nathan and not Mitch.  That man is driving me bonkers!  He keeps texting me!” Jamie exaggerated.

I laughed.  “What is he texting you?”

“He’s the king of sexual innuendos and cheesy pick up lines.  UGH.  He won’t take the hint!”

I laughed even harder.  Mitch was fun, at least I thought so, but I could see where his lack of smoothness could be irritating if you weren’t interested.  Mitch was very persistent though, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he had any idea what was going on in the Conklin building.

After I hung up with Jamie, I hopped in the shower, feeling better about everything that was going through my mind.  I was going to give Tyler until the wedding shower in Chicago to shape up, then as Jamie said, I would throw down the gauntlet, but not as harshly.  He needed help, and if he wasn’t going to open up to me, then he needed to go see someone who could peel back his layers.  I frowned to myself, disappointed that I might not be that person.

Once I was cozy in bed, I reached for my phone.  Tyler and I hadn’t been sending each other many cheesy text messages lately.  Maybe that would help us to get back into our normal routine?  Still slightly mad at him for being so harsh earlier today, I opened up my messages.

I’m sorry I took the car to Gage. -Becca

I tapped my phone as I waited for a reply to come through.  Feeling impatient, I sent another text.

I miss you, Ty.  I want to cuddle tonight. -Becca

Still no answer.

Please hold me when you get home tonight.  I need to feel like you love me.  I need to know we are going make it through whatever is going on in your head.  I love you. -Becca

I hugged my phone and screwed my eyes shut, hoping sleep would make him answer my texts or come home and show me his love.

A large thud jolted me from my sleep.  Glancing over at the clock, I saw it was 11:30 p.m.  Another loud noise came from the kitchen, and I rolled my eyes.

Tyler must have come home drunk again.  I got that he wanted to drown in his sorrows, at least for the time being, but he never answered me if he drove home the other night, and that was something I wouldn’t tolerate.  If he were worried to go to jail for illegal working activities, he should be just as worried to go to jail for drinking and driving.

I swung my legs from the bed, reaching for my robe.  Not sure why I felt the need to cover my silk nighty, but I wasn’t exactly in the mood for a drunken Tyler to get grabby.

Tying the sash tightly, I took a deep breath, prepared to face another drunken fight and possible breakdown from Tyler.

My heart nearly stopped with what I saw when I reached the living room.

I covered my mouth so my breathing couldn’t be heard, but it was too late.  Searching, bloodshot eyes on yellow, taunt skin found me as I stood in the hallway.

The man was fidgety, his long greasy hair sticking to the sides of his face.  His fingers were constantly moving along with his eyes.  They sped up and down my body as his mouth ticked opened and closed.

I stood frozen, scared to move or speak.  I was pissed off at myself for not remembering to turn the alarm back on once I locked the door for the night. 

“Magic bricks.  Where are the magic bricks?” he stuttered, his eyes moving rapidly around the room then settling back on me.

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

“Bricks… Bricks… Bricks…,” he repeated over and over.  He started to pace, his long sleeve shirt was covered in dirt along with his ripped and faded blue jeans.

My brain was scattered, trying to complete a rational thought.  I couldn’t freak out because this guy was already high strung and on edge.  If I lost it, the chance of him doing something even more irrational than breaking into my house would be more possible.

Finally, I remembered about the safe buttons.  The closest one was in the kitchen.  I needed to figure out a way to pass him and make it to that button.  It was my only option. Who knew where the hell Tyler was.  He could be pissed still about Gage and staying at the condo downtown.

“I need the bricks,” he said in confusion.

I gulped and took three slow steps towards the kitchen, my eyes never leaving him.  “What bricks?”  I asked calmly.

“He said there were bricks.  Magic bricks.  I need what’s in those magic bricks.”

I stared at him in confusion.  In a brick?  Bricks were solid concrete. 

“I don’t have any magic bricks,” I said as best I could without my voice trembling.  “Maybe I could call someone who could help you find them?”

I took three more steps but halted as he rapidly moved in my direction; my breath catching once he abruptly but clumsily stopped two feet from my face. 

“He said they’d be here.  In the house on the water through the trees.  I need them,” his voice was deep and scratchy.  One eye went lazy and looked back towards my bedroom.  He was close enough that I could see his lips were cracked and chapped, along with under his nostrils.  His odor was unforgettable, and I held my breath trying not to gag.

I took another low breath, stepping two more steps towards the kitchen.

“What’s your name?” I asked, my voice cracking.  “Can I make you something to eat?”

His lazy eye circled again then came back to focus with the other.  His eyes were deep in his head, and his cheekbones were scarily hollow.  This guy looked like he could be on
Dateline.