The concern that maybe she’d bitten off more than she could chew was a rare feeling for Cecile.
It wasn’t so much Tommy’s size; she’d encountered her fair share of towering, stern, muscular men before. It was his reputation as a violent drug dealer that sent a shiver down her spine.
Her old contacts with the force had divulged that he was responsible for countless murders and disappearances. He was also Teflon; nothing ever stuck. She also knew he had links to prostitution, weapons and, more recently, human trafficking.
He was bad news.
Cecile had watched him leave at ten o’clock last night; she’d certainly not expected him on the doorstep this morning. This wasn’t his home, so why had he come back here?
She inwardly cursed herself. She should have come earlier, scoped the house some more, checked for unwanted guests. But that was all irrelevant now.
What was relevant was that this junkie act of hers had to be beyond perfect, because if he saw through her, she wouldn’t be walking away.
So, Cecile, right now, you’re a druggie in need of a fix, nothing more, nothing less.
She wrung her hands together, bounced from foot to foot and fidgeted for a score.
‘You didn’t call,’ Tommy said.
‘I know people,’ she said. ‘They come here for me… usually.’
It was the start of her lie. The one she’d prepared for Riddick, the man who supposedly had a heart of gold, and was not a homicidal monster.
‘Doesn’t mean you don’t phone ahead,’ Tommy grunted. ‘And why aren’t these people coming for you today? Look at the state of you.’
‘Because…’ She pulled out a bundle of notes with a trembling hand. ‘They rip me off—’
‘Put that away.’ He smacked his head. ‘What’s up with you?’
‘Sorry,’ she said, slamming the money back in her pocket and lowering her eyes. Standing up to him and being assertive would be a bad idea. He was used to subservience and fear. It was better he was in his comfort zone, rather than giving him any more adrenaline to play with. ‘I can go.’
And God, did she want to leave right now!
Her plan to speak to Riddick had clearly failed. Was he even still here? For all she knew, Tommy could have returned and slung him out at the crack of dawn while she was still getting herself ready. Worse still, maybe this monster had put him down?
No, it was best to make a sharp exit. ‘You’re right…’ She turned. ‘I’ll pay them—’
‘No. You’re here now. I admire your balls. You want to save a few quid. Who doesn’t? Get in here.’
Not the words she wanted to hear.
Going into a confined space with Tommy Rose. There was biting off more than you could chew… and then there was choking to death on it.
She took a step away. ‘No, I can’t—’
‘Now.’ She felt his large hand on her shoulder. ‘I insist.’
She no longer needed to act like the anxious junkie on the outside, as her insides felt like they were melting.
Get a grip Cecile. To survive now, you need to get a sodding grip.
If she attempted to run, and he caught her, she’d be dead before she could talk him round. She turned back. He’d already stood to one side, lifted his arm high and gestured she walk beneath the tower he’d made.
She complied, bobbing beneath his arm, catching the scent of body odour.
Behind her, she heard the door close, and her heart fell.
She turned to look at him. He was smiling. ‘Now let’s see what we can do for you.’
Her breath caught in her throat, and her mind went into a spin. He knows, she thought.
The man wasn’t just a mass of muscle. His senses were just as robust.
He’s seen right through me.