I turn to face him and wrap my arms around his neck. “I can’t believe that this is real, you know? I thought that I would never see you again, much less be with you like this. People don’t get second chances like this.”
He kisses me before lying on his back and pulling me to his chest. “Well, we did get a second chance and I plan to make the best of every single minute.” I yawn against him barely able to keep my eyes open. “Go to sleep, babe. I plan to take full advantage of you every day for the rest of your life.” For the rest of my life? The fact that he just hinted at forever has me wide awake. There is no way that I will be ready to talk about that anytime soon.
I bite my tongue not wanting to talk about the subject anymore. I have barely been able to wrap my head around the fact that we are together again. As I fall asleep all I can think of are his words “for the rest of your life.”
***
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Lacey’s fist slams on the counter.
“Lacey!” I look around the shop silently apologizing to my few early bird customers. “Can you keep it down? I don’t think the people in the next town heard you.”
“Keep it down? You just blew my fucking mind. I mean are you sure that he is telling you the truth? That Dan really did all of that shit?” I laugh at her frazzled state knowing the feeling times ten.
“Yea, I didn’t want to believe it myself but I can tell Brian is telling me the truth. I still don’t think I have fully accepted it and now I just have so many questions. Were there other things he hid from me? Did I really know him the way I thought I did?” I thought I had known everything there was to know about my husband until that was all torn to shreds.
“So what is up with you and Brian?” Here we go.
“We are going to give it another try.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Lacey’s fist slams on the counter again.
“Lacey!” I grab her hand and lead her back into my office.
Once I shut the door she starts talking a mile a minute. “You’re giving it another try? How is that even remotely a good idea! You guys tore each other a part! You were a damn zombie for months! Why would you…how could you want to put yourself in that position again?” She plops down on my chair and runs her hands through her hair in what seems like frustration. “How do you know he has good intentions? He came here on a mission to hurt you and he was doing a pretty damn good job at it.”
“I don’t know, Lace. I can’t explain it. Even before I lost Dan, the connection with Brian was still there no matter how much I tried to deny it. As much as I hated it, I couldn’t escape it. I feel like we are right together, like we make sense. The part of me that was missing isn’t anymore.”
She looks over at me and takes a deep breath. “Okay, I just want you to be happy. You tell that damn caveman that if he hurts you again, I will hunt him down and chop his dick off myself.”
I wince. “I’ll be sure to tell him that.”
“Okay, well, I have a house to show.” She stands up and wraps me in a hug. “I’ll call you later.” The door shuts behind her and I grab my phone to text Brian and see what he is up to. I hear the door open and I laugh, “What did you forget to yell at me some more?”
When a response doesn’t come, I turn around to see a man I don’t recognize with a gun. His hand comes down over my mouth trapping my scream in my throat. Another man walks in behind him in a well put together suit. His foot kicks the door closed as the first guy backs me against the wall, his hand moving to wrap around my throat. “Don’t scream or you will regret it,” he whispers in my ear.
“Miss Fisher, how nice we finally meet, although I wish it were under better circumstances.” His voice sounds sophisticated but there is an air of danger behind it that sends chills through my body. “So sorry to hear about your husband’s sudden passing, especially since it happened before he could make good on our deal.”
What the hell is he talking about? Dan knew them? I cough as the man holding me tightens his grip.
“Let her throat go, as long as she promises to be good.” He looks back toward me as if asking for a response and I nod.
When he removes his hand I gasp for air and look up at the intruders. “Who are you? What do you want?”
“Well, those are very complicated questions that I’m not willing to give you the full answers to. Let’s just say we were in business with your late husband and now I need to collect from you what is mine.”
“I have no idea what you’re talk about.” Each word is a struggle to get out.
“Money, my dear. Your husband owed us a lot of it. Eight hundred thousand to be exact, that’s including interest of course. Now I am giving you twenty four hours to get it for me. Do not think of going to the police, or to your new boyfriend. I won’t hesitate to send my associate to pay your pretty little friend that just left a visit. I will contact you tomorrow and I can guarantee you, Miss Fisher, you do not want to disappoint me.”
Before I can reply they turn and walk out of the door shutting it behind them. My head is spinning from the lack of air and what just happened. Eight hundred thousand dollars? What the hell was Dan doing with people like that and with all of that money? If he needed money, why didn’t he just tell me? I have a trust fund my parents set up for me when I was a baby. I’ve never touched it because I don’t want their money. Not only that but they always held it over my head. My dad once offered to double it if I left Brian. I considered it dirty money and never wanted anything to do with it. I’m sure it’s enough to pay these guys off.
The thing that is scaring me is who they are and what they do. I want to call Brian to crawl into his arms and hide, but I can’t. They know about him, they’ve been watching me. I can’t let them hurt Lacey or anyone else I care about. I’ll have to go to my parent’s bank tomorrow once they open to get the money. I hope they don’t call the police. I’m sure it’s not everyday someone walks in to withdraw that amount of money. It will definitely set off some red flags.
I don’t know how I can act normal the rest of the day. I hear a beeping and see my phone lighting up. Brian texted me saying he is parking and will be here in a minute. I rub my face trying to get a hold of myself and put on the mask I have perfected over the years. The door opens and the sense of déjà vu makes my stomach drop.
“Hey, babe.” He smiles as he walks in the door, still wearing his sunglasses, a black t-shirt, and a pair of jeans. I stand up and wrap my arms around him, needing to have him close to me right now. I need to feel the comfort that he gives me even if he doesn’t know what he is doing. “What’s wrong?” His arms tighten around me.
“I just missed you.” I lie, hoping that it distracts his hunt for the truth.
“Okay, you sure?” I nod my head not ready to let go of him. “The guys and I are having dinner tonight and I want you to come.”
“Really?”
“Yea, I want them to meet you officially. I promise that they will be cool. I already talked to them.” I knew he would. Maybe tonight will be easier if we are out and not alone where he can figure out that something is weighing me down.
“Okay, sounds good,” I finally pull away from him, but when I do his face drops. He lifts his glasses onto the top of his head.
“What happened to your neck?” Shit.
“I…um I’ve been scratching it. I forgot to take my allergy pill this morning and I’ve been super itchy.” Lamest excuse ever.
“Allergies? Since when?” he hold me at arm’s length inspecting the rest of me for anything else out of place.
“The last few years I developed them.” I bite my lip in nervousness hoping that he drops his questioning.
“Okay…” I can tell he doesn’t completely believe me. “So will you come tonight?”
“Sure. I would love to meet all your friends.”
A smile crosses his face as he bends down to kiss me. “Pick you up at eight?”
“Sounds perfect.” Except some crazy men jus
t got done breaking in here and threatening me.
“I have to look at a few houses. Have a good day, babe.” He kisses me once more before leaving.
I sink down to the floor once the door closes and start to cry.
What am I going to do?
Chapter Twenty Two
Brian
As I walk through the third house I’ve looked at today, I still can’t shake the feeling that something is up with Jules. She seemed off when I went to see her, like she was scared of something. I hope she isn’t having doubts about us. Being with her last night was what I have wanted since I thought she left me eight years ago.
Hearing her say she loved me again was amazing. Little does she know that I’m not looking at houses to flip today. I’m looking at homes for us. Both of our houses are really uncomfortable right now. Her house has all of her memories of Dan. On the other hand every time we are in my bedroom I feel like she is staring at the window I was having sex in front of with that random chick from the bar. Not to mention my house faces hers, so it’s still a constant reminder of her old life.
We need a fresh start. A new place where we can make new memories instead of being haunted by old ones. I felt her freeze last night when I hinted at marriage. I don’t want to push her into something she isn’t ready for but I would marry her at the drop of a hat. She has always been the only girl for me, even when she wasn’t mine. Did I hate her for leaving me? Yea, but the amount of love I have for her was triple any of that.
Now that I know she didn’t choose him over me, that I was the one she wanted, all I can think about is the amount of time that we have wasted being apart. As I walk through this last house, I realize it’s perfect. All of the walls are white and the rooms are bare and open. It’s a perfect house for her to decorate, for her to make our home like I had always hoped.
The realtor is still talking and I swear to God she is lucky I like this house in spite of her. I thought about asking Lacey, but I didn’t want Jules knowing what I was up to yet. “I’ll take it.”
She stops mid-sentence and looks over at me. “Okay, Mr. Evans. What number were you thinking of offering?”
“Give them whatever they are asking for it.” I’m not rich but I know that selling my house will give me a pretty sizable chunk of what this one will cost.
She starts rambling again but I tune her out looking at the backyard and imagining all of the things that will happen here.
***
“What if they don’t like me?”
I look over at Jules in the passenger seat of my car. “They don’t have a fucking choice.”
“Brian, I’m serious!” She is so damn cute when she gets mad. I swear if we weren’t already late I might turn around and drag her into my bed.
“I am too.” She punches me in the arm and I fake the pain from the punch. “Babe, they will like you so stop stressing out.”
I pull into a parking spot at the restaurant and go over to Jules’ side of the car opening the door for her. “I want you in my bed again tonight.”
Something flashes in her eyes but I don’t catch it before it’s gone again. “I think I am going to stay at my place tonight.”
“Why? We had such a good night. You seemed happy.” I feel like she is pushing me away again and that is the last thing that I want.
She stands on her tiptoes and kisses me. “I did. I just need to get up early and don’t need you distracting me all night.” She begins to walk toward the restaurant but I grab her hand and pull her against my front.
“Distracting you all night long is my favorite thing.” My dick is already hard and we haven’t even gone inside yet.
“Exactly why I need to stay at my house.” She laughs before pulling me with her toward the building. I see the guys once we walk in and lead Jules over. After talking to her the night before, I grilled them all and warned them to be nice to her. Jake copped to being the one who went up to her in Cancun and I swear I almost clocked him for it.
“Guys, this is Jules. Jules, this is Ryan, Hunter, Mason, and I think you already know Jake.” She waves and smiles clearly uncomfortable with the whole situation. That is just another thing that makes me feel like something is up. Jules has never been shy or unsure of herself around people, it just isn’t her.
“So, I know you guys were all in the same unit, but what do you do now?” she looks around at the guys.
I’m about to answer when Ryan speaks up. “Hunter does private security, Jake and Mason work on the houses with Brian, and I just joined the police force.”
“You’re a cop?” she asks and the tone of her voice has me on edge.
“Yea, so if you have any overdue parking tickets, I’m your man.” She gives him an uncomfortable laugh before looking down at the menu as a welcome distraction. The rest of dinner went okay, everyone made small talk and it was actually fun. We say our goodbyes to the guys before we leave and I hate knowing that she wants to go to her house.
“They are all really great, Brian.” Her voice is so level that it makes me uneasy.
“Please talk to me, Jules. I know something is wrong. Whatever it is I can help you. I just can’t take not knowing what it is.”
“Nothing is wrong. I’m just really tired.”
I pull into my driveway and sit there staring out of the window. “Bullshit. I know you too well. There is something wrong and for some reason you won’t tell me what it is.”
“I don’t have the energy to do this with you, Brian.” She opens the door and quickly shuts it once she is out. I can see her walking home in my rearview mirror. I want to go after her and force her to be honest with me, but I don’t think it would make a difference. Whatever is upsetting her is not something she is willing to talk to me about.
I hate that she doesn’t feel like she can talk to me. I would never judge her or make her feel bad about whatever it is, I just want to help her. If she can’t trust me, what does that say about our relationship? This thing will never work if all she is going to do is rely on herself and shut me out. I decide to go over there in the morning and force her to talk to me.
***
I couldn’t sleep at all last night. All I could think of is what Jules is hiding. Thousands of scenarios played through my head and at this point it can’t be worse than what I’m already thinking.
When I look across the street, I don’t see Jules’ car, but I do see her parents. The car is in the driveway and both of them are standing on the steps knocking repeatedly. I walk over to Jules’ house to let them know she isn’t home. Here we go.
“She isn’t home.” I say a few steps away from them, hating that I need to have any interaction with them.
“You!” her father points his finger at me. “You’re behind all of this aren’t you?”
“Listen I don’t—“
“No I know that it’s you. She hasn’t touched it in her entire life and now by chance she does?”
What in the fuck is he talking about? “Touched what? I have no idea what you are talking about, Mr. Spencer.”
“Her trust fund! The bank called us and told us that she withdrew hundreds of thousands of dollars. Was that what you were after all along? I bet you just—” I run bacl toward my car and pull out my phone calling Ryan. “I need you and all of the guys now. I’ll text the address once I have it.” My stomach dropped when her father mentioned the money.
Did they find her? Did they hurt her? Is that why she was acting so off yesterday?
Fear runs rampant through my body as I think of everything that could happen to her.
I just got her back
No one is taking her from me.
Chapter Twenty Three
Julia
As I walk up to the old brick building, my heart starts to pound. The duffel bag I have weighing down my shoulder is full of money, and I don’t even know who I’m meeting. All the message had was an address and it said not to be late. I look down at my watch, exactly noon. I knock on the door feeling
like I might pass out at any moment. My hands clench and unclench while I wait for whoever I am supposed to be meeting.
The door opens but no one is standing there. I hesitate, feeling like I should have just told Brian. I didn’t want to risk him or Lacey getting hurt though.
“Come in.”
It’s all I hear and the voice sends chills down my spine. I don’t move. It’s like I’m frozen in place, paralyzed by the unknown waiting for me behind the door. A hand reaches out grabbing my arm and yanking me into the darkness. I scream and am instantly hit across the face. I fall to the floor the duffel bag sliding away from my body. Pain shoots through my head and I bring my hand to my cheek. It’s so dark in here that I can’t even see my own hand in front of my face.
“You scream again bitch and I’ll knock you the fuck out.” The voice is so cold, distant, emotionless. I was stupid to think I could handle this on my own. That I could just walk in here, give them their money, and leave.
A pair of hands grab my arms wrapping something around my wrists and securing them together. What feels like tape is placed over my mouth. “What do we do now?” I hear a voice from behind me say. It’s different than the one I heard before.
“We wait for him.” For who? The guy in the suit?
“What if he doesn’t come?” The voice behind me sounds worried, unsure, I can tell he is not the one spearheading this whole operation.
“He will, because we have her.”
The voices stop and I hear footsteps retreating. I start to cry feeling like there is no way I’m making it out of here at this point. I thought I could handle this shit and I was so wrong. I don’t know how long I sit here before I hear it. Tires screeching. Doors slamming. Pounding on the door. a small spotlight is turned on near the door illuminating only about an eight foot circle of the room.
A laugh sounds from behind my ear making me jump. “Guess he does love you.” Who is he talking about? I would think that it might be Brian, but he has no idea where I am or what I’m doing.
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