How did he find me?
“A friend of mine followed you back here yesterday. Oh yes, he saw you all kissy face with that older guy. Your taste has gone downhill.”
God, I really want to hit him, and if he doesn’t leave I will. “He’s a better guy than you ever were, or ever will be.”
I start to slam the door in his face but he stops the momentum with his body, pushing his way inside and shutting the door behind him.
Fear lances through me and I cast a glance around the room, hoping for something to put between us. Backing away, I slip my hand into my cardigan pocket and feel the reassuring weight of my cell phone. Pressing down on what I hope is the number three button, I can’t help the silent prayer running through my head that Jake is going to answer. Thank God I thought to program both Cade and Jake into my speed dial.
“I think you better leave now before I call the police.”
He walks slowly toward me while taking in his surroundings. “You don’t think I’m going to let you do that, do you babe? Shame on you!”
“What the hell do you want, Nick?” I back up into the kitchen and make sure the breakfast bar between us.
He has an evil grin on his face. “Money, of course. We both know you have plenty of it.”
I try to keep my voice steady. “After how you played me, you have no chance of getting any money out of me. I really think you should leave.”
“I’ll leave when I get my money and not before.” He starts to move slowly around the breakfast bar.
I start backing away from him, but there isn’t really anywhere else to go.
Keep him talking and it might distract him . . .
“If you need money why haven’t you sold the car I bought you?” I’m still inching away from him.
He laughs at me. “Why would I do that? I love my car and you can give me more cash.”
“If you want money, why did you cancel the wedding?”
“Let’s just say my conscience got the better of me.”
“Well, you’re not getting any more out of me—”
Then I scream as he dashes around the breakfast bar and grabs me.
His hand wraps around my throat and I gag at the feel of his skin. Had it always felt so slimy, so dirty?
“Shut up,” he seethes.
I shudder in fright as I gasp for air.
He takes hold of my arms and shoves me against the refrigerator. “You are going to transfer two hundred thousand dollars to my account in the Caymans.”
Jake where are you? Please hurry!
I can’t hold my tears anymore; I’m crying in earnest. “What makes you think you can get away with this?”
“I know I can get away with this, because you aren’t going to tell anyone. If you do, a friend of mine will come after your boyfriend.”
He sees my shocked expression. “I’ll be free and clear because you don’t want anything happening to him.” He smiles while still pinning me to the refrigerator.
“What do you mean? Who is he? What have you done?”
He takes hold of my arm and drags me toward the stairs. “You’re better not knowing. Now quit stalling and tell me where your little notebook is so we can get on with this. I need to disappear.”
Now we’re getting somewhere.