Page 91 of Let Me Love You

“Stop worrying,” he spits at the woman. “Georgie let that billionaire’s man find my real name and picture. He knows what I look like since he’s been in my home, fucking my wife. He’ll put two and two together.”

She bristles. “That whore isn’t your wife. I am.”

If I wasn’t afraid for my baby, I would’ve told them where to stick it. Did he even think of Summer? Sure, he was distant toward the end, but he wasn’t like this. He wasn’t threatening innocent people. Or hitting people. At least, not that I knew about.

“I know, babe.” He pulls her in for an embrace. “This will pay off the rest of my debt, and we’ll set ourselves up for life.”

Paul is some sort of thug now, but he treats that woman better than he ever did me. How pathetic is that?

“Did anyone send him a message about the ransom?” Paul’s voice makes me want to scratch my ears out. “He can’t find us until he’s desperate and willing to drop the money in exchange for her.”

I close my eyes. If they want money, then it’s not really me they’re after but Victor. Everyone I love is in danger because I trusted the wrong man when I was younger. If he has eyes on Summer, then he knows where my sister is.

“Yes, I did, you don’t have to worry,” another man says from behind me. “We’ll all walk out of here richer.”

Inhaling deeply, I attempt to calm my out-of-control pulse. Everything is going to be okay. Everything is going to be okay. I repeat that about ten more times, but every time I think about Victor coming … I swear if he gets hurt or killed because of me—

I stop my own line of thinking. Everything is going to be okay. If I think that enough, it means it’s true, right?

Fuck. This is exactly why I hate relying on others. Victor has only made me weaker, and right now, I can’t afford that.

Keeping my eyes closed for what feels like an eternity, I’m not sure how many minutes have passed. The couple continues to bicker about whether or not Paul still wants me, but if I don’t open my eyes, maybe they’ll think I’m asleep, and they’ll let something slip.

I swear to God if they touch anyone I love, they’ll regret it. I don’t care if I have my arms bound behind my back, I will make them pay for trying to destroy my family over money.

Popping my eyes open, I almost wish I hadn’t. Paul’s girlfriend is practically wrapped around him like an octopus. Maybe that’s why Paul lost interest in me. I wasn’t needy.

“We have to get going,” his girlfriend says, tugging on his arm. “We can keep Benny here with her.”

Paul shakes his head. “No, you go ahead. I have some questions for Serenity.”

The woman props her hands on her hips. “What do you have to ask her without me around? I knew you still wanted her.”

“I don’t want her.” He plows his fingers through his hair. “She might be more willing to talk to me alone than with everyone around.”

Ha. Like hell I’ll ever tell him anything.

“I swear if you cheat on me, I’ll tell Mommy,” she says before she pushes up on her toes and kisses Paul, almost sucking his face off. When she’s satisfied, she tosses me a smirk and saunters out of my home.

The door slams from behind me, and I heave out a breath.

Before I can question who “Mommy” is, Paul is walking toward me. He pulls his phone out of his pocket and aims it at me like he wants to take a picture. My heart hammers against my ribs, and bile rises the closer he gets.

“Smile for your husband,” Paul says, disdain dripping in his tone.

I keep my mouth pressed into a straight line when the flash on his camera blinds me. “Are you only doing this for money?”

“Shit, Serenity. You don’t know what the fuck I’ve gone through.” His voice is harsh—hardened into something I no longer recognize. “I owe so much money that even though you paid everything they’re asking, I still owe.”

I blink rapidly. “How?”

“Gambling. Drugs,” he pauses for a second and finishes, “Women.”

All of this should’ve come as a shock, and it would’ve, if I hadn’t seen Victor’s documents. But what does surprise me is the fact Paul admitted it. Is there still a good part of him left?

“How do you owe more than what I’ve paid?”

“That’s none of your goddamn business,” he growls. “At least now your Richie Rich has proof you’re alive so he can pay us our money.”