My phone vibrates, making me jump. I hear his snarl before seeing the reason. I take my device from his hand and read the message.
Unknown: There are more.
“Why am I being targeted?” I ask.
“I have no idea. But I’ll have some of my security people look into it. I promise you, we’ll find out who is blackmailing you.” He takes a deep breath and pushes his hair off his forehead. “Or me,” he snarls.
Graham helps me up and opens the passenger side of his car for me to enter.
I look up into his troubled eyes. “How do you know it is blackmail?”
“There would be no other explanation for the torment, other than to have some type of demand. I imagine that will be coming next.”
He slips into his seat and starts the engine. The purr soothes me and unnerves me at the same time. He leans over in his seat and squeezes my hand gently. “Please don’t stress, Angie.”
I give him a weak smile. I would be lying to myself if I told him “okay.”
“Let’s just wait and see what this crazy person wants in return.”
I stare at my shaking hands and know that no matter what I do to comply, there are digital copies floating about the Internet. The picture will never disappear. It will always be lurking in the back of my memory—even if any demands are met.
My eyes close as Graham weaves his way through the heavy lunchtime traffic. My head throbs with all the baggage that seems to be stacking up at my feet. And for what reason?
“Angie?”
I turn to meet Graham’s concerned eyes. “Yeah?”
“Do you want me to take you home?”
We are nearing the Marquam Bridge that would take us back to my townhouse. Thoughts of being there by myself, without Claire, make me not want to go. I don’t want to be alone.
“No,” I exhale.
“Then where?” Graham asks. “What do you want me to do?”
“I don’t want to be alone,” I admit. “I just want to forget about everything that has happened today. Make me forget, Graham. Make it all go away.”
“Angie…”
“Please.”
I watch as he makes a sharp left and follows the route parallel to the river north. When we are just blocks away, I know that he is taking me to his place, and a thrill runs through my core.
It might be a mistake. The timing might be off. But right now, I need to make this mistake.
My hand reaches for his thigh, and he jerks at the sudden touch.
“I mean it,” I start, “I want to just—”
I don’t even know how to finish. I’m not thinking clearly. And for once, it feels amazing.
Graham expertly parks his car into his assigned spot, jogs over to my side, and pulls me out into the stale air. I shut the door with my butt and turn to push him against the side. My lips crash into his, and my stomach presses into his groin. I can tell he wants to pull me away and talk, but I don’t want his words right now. I just want to be reckless. Uninhibited.
“Ang—”
My mouth continues to explore his, and I chip away at his self-control. Hands knead my ass and jerk me upright so that my legs can wrap around his waist. He turns me midair and sets me on the front hood of his car, grinding his hips into mine.
My mouth rips away from his reluctantly. “Yes,” I breathe.