“I gotta give it to you … you’ve got balls,”he chuckled as he rose on one knee. “Men die for less.”
Jessica tried not to show the fear that beganto rumble deep in her belly. Yes, she was gutsy, but she knewdanger … what it looked like, smelled like, and felt like.
“Another threat?” She retorted. “You may ownthis frigging town, but you no longer have a claim on me. When Ileave here, I will no longer carry the Wilton name. That dies too,just like your son … the son you killed rearing him in your“ALMIGHTY” image.”
Hal stepped forward, his face burning redfrom the fury she invoked.
She took a stance and stared him down.
Hal did not move. His chest heaved from theanger raging inside of him. He shifted his weight and rose to hisfull height, as he wiped his palms caked with thick, wet, mud uponhis navy, Armani, pin-striped suit. He took a pure silkhandkerchief from his breast pocket and slowly wiped the tinysplatters of mud from his face.
“We’ll meet again?” He snarled throughclenched teeth. “And when you least expect it,” he continued,tossing his soiled linen to the ground and rubbed his handstogether. “No one walks away from Hal Wilton unless I deem itso.”
She grunted and sent him a disgustedlook.
“Really? I don’t think so. What about myAunt?” She jibed smugly. “You know the lady … Florence RochelleNewcombe. I believe she’s bested you more times than you care toadmit. Touch me and she’ll destroy you.”
If looks could kill, Jessica would haveturned to dust from the maniacal glare he sent her way. Hisnostrils flared and a red flush slowly colored his neck and cheeks.He looked like a pressure cooker ready to blow its top.
But oh, how she relished the moment! Her eyessparkled with admiration as her Aunt’s face came to view in hermind’s eye. What a woman Florence was … all five foot six of her.She was full of vim and vigor with a regal grace and beauty thatstill left men breathless, when she entered a room. And how heramber eyes would sparkle like flames when her dander was up!
Yep!She thought.Aunt Florence wasone hell of a woman, who brought worse than him to their knees.She smiled.
Hal could not hold a candle to her Aunt.Foreign heads of State, titled dignitaries and leadingphilanthropists held her in the highest regard. Furthermore, Halknew Florence had the power and means to crush him like an ant.
Jessica could literally see the wheelschurning in his over-inflated brain. She could not help, but laughout loud. Truth very seldom disarmed a man, but in this instance,it cut clear to the bone. She enjoyed her moment. Maybe she waswrong not confiding in her Aunt about Richard’s abuse and hisfather’s attempts to bed her. But once she did tell Florence, Godhath no fury like her Aunt and GodhelpHal Wilton.
Florence had quite a dynasty to attend,especially since her husband passed away after Jessica was married.Jessica just did not have the heart to burden Florence with her ownproblems. But, it was different now.
Hal’s eyes closed to reptilian slits. Heseethed, as his chest rose and fell rapidly.
Despite her newfound courage, Jessica knewshe let loose the devil. He was no longer family, but a predatorout to devour her.
“You think you know me well enough to mockme?” He barked as he slowly circled his left shoulder a few timesto test its flexibility.
Jessica retreated a few more steps, keepingher eyes locked on her adversary.
“I know vermin when I see it.” She answeredsoftly, standing her ground. “I am not your property. Threaten allyou like. I’m leaving.”
His eyes never wavered, never left hers, ashe contemplated a moment longer.
Seconds passed. She was certain he wouldn’tpounce, for it would show weakness on his part, and that wasn’tHal. He had thugs to do his dirty work for him. Still, her nervesfelt as tight as the strings on a violin.
Hal stroked his chin, as he continued tostare her down. He took a quick step forward and halted.
Jessica could not help, but gasp slightlyand; she hated the look of confidence it gave him.
“Don’t ever drop your guard, little lady,” hesneered, circling around her and licking his lower lip in adisgusting manner.
Jessica made a face and he snapped his teethloudly at her and then roared with laughter.
“You’ll never know whendaddywill strike again.”
Jessica felt repulsed by his lewd gesture andcringed. The urge to strike out and leave her hand print on histanned cheek was overwhelming, but she controlled the impulse.
“Your day will come, mark my words. And Ipray to God, it’s before your son’s body rots in his grave!”
Her tongue lashing did not faze him. Instead,he roared with laughter, as he turned and headed towards hisawaiting limo.
