I park outside her apartment, getting out to open her door. I start to walk her up to the porch but she shakes her head.
“I’m okay. I need to sleep, I think.”
I nod. “Let’s talk later. I’ll call you in a couple of hours.”
I watch as she lets herself inside and then gets back in the car. Somehow, I’ve screwed this up, but I’m determined to make this better. I’ll call Salvo first and then go pick up Otto from Bryan’s place.
I’ll give Margot some time and then try again.
ChapterSeven
MARGOT
My legs are unsteady as I climb the stairs.
This is all too much. I’ve fallen for Duncan and now he admits that this whole job and the move to Snowflake Falls - plus this cozy little apartment - was premeditated. Created just for me. I guess I should be creeped out, but instead tears rush to my eyes. Duncan’s the first person since my aunt died who wants to look after me. Even if looking after me involved following me home and then employing me in a job that he created just to get closer to me.
I couldn’t find the words to tell him I’m pregnant. What if that changes everything? The power imbalance between us is huge. He’s paying my salary, he found this place for me. Will he want to support a child too?
I rummage in my purse for my keys and let myself inside. It’s cold in here, although I could have sworn I left the heating on a timer. Maybe I left the bedroom window open a crack. I walk into the kitchen and root around in the cupboard for a cup. I need a cup of hot ginger tea and some time to think.
“Hello. Margot.” The voice startles me and I drop the cup, which shatters into pieces on the wooden floor.
An older man with a streak of silver in the front of his hair is sitting at the dining table, his hands folded. He’s wearing leather gloves.
I steady myself against the counter, light-headed. “What are you doing in my apartment?”
“I’ve come to claim what’s mine. Don’t you recognize me?” He smiles. He has chunky white veneers on his teeth which don’t fit his tanned, wrinkled face.
“Nope. But I want you to get out. Now.” My voice hitches a little on the last word, ruining the effect.
He shakes his head. “I’m not leaving without my shiny new possession. You’re even better in the flesh than in your photos. Your father wasn’t kidding when he said you were beautiful.”
“My Dad?” A cold chill runs up my spine. If Dad’s involved then this whole messed-up situation just got worse. This must be the guy he wanted to marry me off to.
“Yes. He has the money, now I’ve come to haveyou. You took a little tracking down. And that big lug in the apartment downstairs didn’t want me to come in, but he’s not a problem any more.” He raises the newspaper, revealing a gun on the table and flashes that shark-like smile.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve never met my neighbor.”
He shakes his head. “I don’t believe you, darlin’. Your father told me not to trust anything that came out of your pretty mouth.”
I grip the counter, silently opening the drawer underneath.
“Whatever you’ve been promised, I don’t agree. You don’t have my consent and as far as I’m aware, you need it if you want to marry me.”
His horrible smile gets wider. “I’m not overly worried about consent. But you should be. You’ll also find I can be very persuasive. It won’t pay for you not to agree with what I want. And in time maybe you’ll come to enjoy being my wife. But your enjoyment isn’t my concern. Mine is, however.”
While he’s talking, my searching fingers scrabble around for something I can use as a weapon. There’s a knife in here but it’s not much use against that gun he has on the table. As I frantically search the drawer, my grasp onto a heavy wooden object. It's a rolling pin, but it will have to do. I stand up straight, facing him with as much courage as I can muster, holding one hand behind my back.
"I won't let you marry me against my will."
He chuckles, but there's a cruel edge to it. "Oh, silly Margot. You have no idea what I'm capable of. You’re part of a deal. Could you live with your father’s blood on your hands? Or your friend Serenity’s? It’s better if you just give in, then nobody gets hurt. Including you."
The man stands up, his smile twisting as he notes the tears in my eyes.
“Not her. And not my stupid, scheming father either. I’ll do what you want but you need to be gentle with me, okay?” A tear rolls down my face as he gets closer.
“We’ll see about that.” His hand reaches for me as he walks around the counter. I take the opportunity to raise the rolling pin up and bring it down as hard as I can, aiming for his head. He lunges to the side and the rolling pin strikes him hard on the shoulder. His other hand reaches out in a pincer grip as I back further into the kitchen away from him.
