I got up from my desk and went to the door. In another life, I would’ve called David back. If I were a different woman, I wouldn’t let someone like him get away. Was it him, though, or was it that he sparked things in me I’d been able to control for the last sixteen years?
I closed the office door and leaned my back against it, physically steeling myself from going after him.
I’d committed a greater crime than kissing another man. I’d let him believe my marriage could be penetrated. That he could waltz in and take me from Bill. That I was missing something in my life that he could give me.
I’d letmyselfbelieve that.
No—I’d already known I’d never have those disruptive and often sought-after wild emotions with Bill, but I’d made an agreement with myself when I’d made a commitment to him. A stable, predictable life was better than a volatile one. Passion always came with pain.
The clock above the door ticked down, but I couldn’t bring myself to move. If I opened my laptop again, I’d be faced with David and his girls. If I went home, I’d be alone with my David-fueled thoughts.
But then, the elevatordinged. My heart soared as shoes hit the ground.
David.
He’d come back. Or had he never left?
Was he also doing everything he could to convince himself staying apart was the right thing?
Or was it simply that he couldn’t resist getting me home safely, even though I wasn’t his to protect?
My heart pounded faster as his footsteps neared and then stopped outside my office. My willpower was only so strong. He was the one who’d said this couldn’t go on. Why was he back to make us each suffer more?
I turned slowly, hesitated with my hand on the doorknob, then opened the door.
And met the angry, burning gaze of Mark Alvarez.
17
My mind struggled to catch up, my limbs frozen in place. I’d opened my office door expecting to find David Dylan and was now staring down a man who’d recently threatened my life.
Fuck.
What the fuck.
Where had he come from? How? Why?
With my attempt at a step back, Mark Alvarez lunged to grab my blouse. “You didn’t deliver my message,” he said, anger flashing in his brown eyes.
“I did. I swear, I did.” My heart slammed against my ribcage. Out of nowhere, sweat trickled down my temple. “But Bill doesn’t work with the DA’s office anymore,” I rushed out, pleading. “He can’t just get someone out of jail.”
“It’s Bill’s fault my brother’s in there, and he’ll find a way to—”
Fear surged in me. I kneed Mark in the balls. He released me with a curse. With no time to be shocked over my instinct to hurt him, I darted to the right.
I was almost past him when a fist in my hair yanked me back. “I don’t think you understand,” Mark said, dragging me deeper into the office. He pulled a knife from his waist. “Bill fucked with my family, and now I fuck with his. Eye for an eye.”
My heartbeatwhooshedin my ears, and the room began to spin. The short blade, silver and jagged, looked nothing like a kitchen knife, but my mind went blank like I was thirteen again.
Mark shoved me, and with my eyes on the knife, I backed away until I hit a wall.
“This is your second warning.” Mark advanced until he was nearly on top of me, breathing hotly in my face. He put the blade to my throat. “And we’ll keep coming back. Lou should’ve got out with me. We did the same crime. Your husband must’ve fucked up.”
My head began to throb where I pushed it against the wall, trying to keep my throat from the blade. “I’ll tell Bill, I promise.” I wasn’t sure what Bill could do, but I needed to say anything to escape the knife. “Don’t hurt me.”
“Hurt you? Nah. I’m going to make you feel good.” He stuck the blade between his teeth and ripped open my blouse with both hands. Buttons scattered on the carpet as I screamed.
He smacked me across my cheek, and my face flew to one side. “Shut up or I’ll gag you.”
