He laughs, but it doesn’t sound like the laugh he used when we dated. He sounds deranged, his whole demeanor seems different, or maybe I’m just starting to see the real him. “Oh, I know everything you’ve been up to.Myfuture rides on fucking over your new boyfriend, so I’ve been keeping close tabs on you. Especially after seeing you at the club. It was the perfect opportunity. You see. You think we are done, but really, you’ve been helping me even more now that we are on our break.”
“We are never getting back together! You were a mistake! What the hell do you want with James? I don’t even know what you’re talking about.” I try to rip my arm free again, but he won’t budge.
“Ouch. I could never be a mistake. Don’t act dumbnow. You know he’s worth billions. His company is taking over in multiple states, with more planned in the future. I just want a piece of the pie to impress my new company, Collins and Sons. That blonde you were so worried about is Collins’s granddaughter. She’s helping me get a leg up in the company. Your boyfriend has plenty of money, he won’t even miss it.” He pauses. “Well, he won’t miss itmuch, I just need to get these clients to sign off, then I could care less what you do.”
I can’t even fathom what is happening right now. “James works for The Edward Corporation, he doesn’t have billions. Trying to steal clients from another marketing firm is lazy. How is that going to impress Collins and Sons? Did you even do research before concocting this plan?” I yank on my arm and Taylor finally releases me but positions his body in front of the door.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, Alex. You know I hate when you lie. I know you’ve been around him and his partners multiple times. I caught you at the club, remember? I watched when they helped you move the couch. I know you’ve been away with him. What I don’t know is why the hell you’re back already?” He prowls closer, hate burning in his eyes as he looks down his nose at me.
My heart is racing. I try to glance for a way out, but he has me boxed in. My fight or flight is kicking in, but my body doesn’t know how to react, so I freeze. “Why are you doing this?”
He blows out a breath and laughs, backing towardsthe center of the room. “Redirectingagain. Never one to answer questions.” Taylor runs his hands across his face. “I need this promotion, and the fastest way to get it is to poach clients. So, if you would’ve just kept James occupied, then my job would’ve been done already. Youwillcontact him and keep him busy for the week.”
The change in his voice and his body language has me on edge. The hair on the back of my neck tingling. I throw my hands in the air. “And if I don’t?”
He reaches over, grabs my vase of flowers and launches it towards me. I jump to the side as it slams into the wall next to me, shattering. “You don’t want to find out, so figure it the fuck out!” He stomps to the door and storms out. The door slams shut behind him.
I’m shaking as I slide to the floor. I don’t know what the hell is going on. Is James more important at his job than he made it seem? Why would Taylor want to target him? My mind is in hyperdrive as my anxiety rolls through my body. The adrenaline coursing through my veins. My phone buzzes on the counter again, so I crawl over to my stools and use them to pull myself up.
Ashlyn: How is the cabin going?
Jaz: The snow here was insane. Are you safe?
I never responded to James’s message from this morning, soI pull that open first.
Alexandra: Hey. I’m home. Something happened with Taylor. I need to see you.
His message comes immediately.
James: I’m on my way.
CHAPTER 20
James
I can’t stopthe constant stream of memories flying through my mind even though Alex’s message makes me lean towards the side of her not knowing anything.
Billionaire swindled out of large settlement from ex-fiancé. Sources say she black mailed Mr. Edward, but those claims have not been confirmed.
Ex-fiancé backs Mr. Edward into large pay-out to keep quiet about breakup. What was he hiding?
“We’re here, James.” I look towards the mirror at the sound of Thomas’s voice. Those eyes have seen me through a lot of tough moments. He knows how hard this is for me.
I climb out of the SUV and walk to the stairs of Alex’s building. I knock softly on her door. I can hear her feet pad across the floor as she makes her way to me. Ineed to get her to move into my place as soon as she’s willing. This apartment doesn’t give her much privacy.
The door slowly cracks open, and I see one dark brown eye peek at me before she swings it all the way open.
“Oh my God. You came.” She rushes into my arms and squeezes me.
I wrap my arms around her and walk her backward. “I’m here. It’s freezing out, so you need to stay inside.” I kick the door closed behind us. “What happened?”
She refuses to look at me while she speed-dumps everything that happened when Taylor came over. By the time she tells me he threw a vase at her, I’m ready to go beat the shit out of him. She takes a breath then tilts her head back to look at me. “Say something.”
“I’m going to kill him,” I say calmly.
Alex slaps my chest. “Don’t you dare. He’s not worth it.”
I rub a hand down my face. “Well, I’m not going to sit and do nothing. You’re getting a new door, so you can actually see who’s here.”
