Page 92 of Let Me Love You

My breathing turns ragged as I try to inhale deep, steady breaths. I’m not so sure he’ll come for me now that he thinks I’m a sellout, trying to get a payday off his scandal. All this time, he’s chased me, and now that he finally has me, he’s done. Maybe his true colors are finally coming out.

I adjust in my seat, and my stomach rumbles.

“If your man doesn’t show with the money, I’m dead,” Paul says it so softly, at first, I think it’s all in my head. “I dug my hole too deep this time.”

Fuck. I hate his guts, especially now, but this isn’t how I want Summer’s father to die. But now that I owe so much in interest, I have nothing for him.

I have to think about Summer and the baby now. I can’t let myself fail here. Maybe I can escape. “I have money I can give you if you untie me.”

Paul scoffs. “You don’t have the amount of money I need. I’ve searched the condo.”

“I’ve been staying at Sully’s. I have money there.”

His mask falls for a second, and a vulnerable expression crosses his face. “Did you move there to keep Summer safe?”

“Yes.” A vice grip squeezes my heart. I almost felt bad for him, but something pops into my mind. “Were you the one who threatened her?”

“You don’t understand—”

I don’t let this scum bag finish his sentence. “You took pictures of her. Get the fuck out.”

He doesn’t move. The crazed look reenters his eyes. “Not only will they kill me.” He unholsters his gun and points it directly at my head. “But they promised to kill the both of you, too, if I don’t get them this money.”

My pulse pounds so hard I can feel it in my head, but I don’t move. “You should’ve thought of that before owing them. Who pays for women when they’re married?” I laugh, but the sound comes out harsh. “I’m assuming it was when I was pregnant with your child, you asshole.”

I suddenly feel his breath on my cheeks as he gets in my face. “Do you really think a man can go eight months with no sex?”

“I couldn’t even brush my own hair I was so sick,” I snarl back.

I almost thought he was human, scared because he owes too much, but no, he’s just a coward. I muster everything inside me and say, “What do you think a man does when he’s in love with a woman? I have Victor so wrapped around my finger, he’ll give me anything I want.” Saying those words has my stomach in knots. “So, I have money I can give you. I just need you to let me go get it.”

It sickens me to talk like that, but if I can get out of here—or even to my shotgun—I can protect myself. No one knows where I am, so even if Elias wanted to play bodyguard again, he won’t find me states away.

I have to save myself.

I’ve always relied only on myself, and now is no different. Victor won’t come for me. His true colors have finally been exposed. I should’ve stuck with my instincts from the beginning, but watching him with Summer crumbled the carefully curated wall I had erected around my heart.

Paul starts pacing, dragging his fingers through his hair while murmuring under his breath. He used to do this toward the end of our relationship, and I never knew why, but now I do.

Stopping abruptly, he comes over and moves behind me. His hands grip my wrists. “If I untie you right now, will you show me where you keep your money?”

This is it. My chance. If I can get to my gun—very unlikely considering it’s locked away—maybe I can hold him at gunpoint until he lets me go. But worst-case scenario, I’ll have to run. He might’ve lived here years ago, but I know all the new trails through the woods that will lead me into town where people will see I’m in danger.

Nodding, I say, “I’ll give you everything I have.”

Which is technically true since I don’t have anything.

His hands start moving behind me, but before I’m free, he stops. “Are you lying to me? You were never this easy to convince before.”

My smart mouth and stubborn ways always come to bite me in the ass. “I have too much to lose to lie.”

He finishes untying me, and the moment I’m free, I shove him and bolt toward my gun safe. His steps pound behind me, and he grabs me by the hair. I halt as my head is yanked back. Biting down on my lip, I resist yelping out in pain. I’ll never show any weakness to Paul.

Tugging my hair again, he pulls me up against his body, and I flinch. If he kicked his girlfriend out so he could touch me … He’ll never be able to use his man parts again. I’ll make sure of that.

Something suddenly clatters to the floor. When I glance down, I find my pregnancy test on the floor, face up, with “pregnant” on the digital screen.

“I fucking knew you were a whore,” Paul sneers in my ear. “I can’t believe you’re really fucking this guy. But I guess it’s smart that you got him to knock you up so you’re set for life. And now, I will be, too.”