“Oh, yesterday,” Hunter replies. “Sorry I forgot to tell you, man, I was on my way out the door.”
Yesterday. Twenty-four whole hours I never knew the end was coming.
My mind races, my whole body tense. Fight or flight. It’s primal, the adrenaline suddenly coursing through my body.
He knows where I am. He can get to my family, any time he likes.
“Hey,” Tegan’s voice comes, soft. “You OK?”
I turn, and realize she’s looking at me funny.
“Sure, it’s cool.” I force a laugh, but it sounds metallic. I think fast for a cover story. “Just an old friend from way back when. I’ll give him a call later.”
Hunter nods and starts talking to Blake about his next movie project, but Tegan keeps watching me. She places a hand over mine, and I realize I’m clutching my knife so hard my knuckles show white. “Baby?” she checks again, a question hovering in her voice.
I snap out of it and drop the knife. “It’s nothing,” I lie again. “I’ll tell you later.”
I have to fake it through the rest of the evening, pretending like nothing’s wrong. I chat with Hunter about the ranch, and try to make nice with Blake over baseball and movie talk, but inside, I’m trying like hell to keep it together.
What the hell am I going to do?
The thought of Driskell coming here—threatening my family, tearing their lives apart—makes me sick with fear and rage. I thought I’d kissed that life goodbye. I paid my debt, every damn cent, and interest too. Two years I spent down there in the gutters with the gangbangers and dealers, keeping the peace and Driskell’s hands clean. I won that card game fair and square. Dammit, I’m supposed to be free.
But he found me, and he’s not done with me yet.
I look over at Brit, leaning into Hunter with a contented smile on her face. Fear claws at my chest. That phone call was a threat, clear as day. He didn’t want to speak to me, he could have called my cell anytime. He just wanted me to know he could get to them.
That he’s still holding all the cards.
After what seems like an eternity, we’re finished eating and cleaning up the dishes.
“You guys were right,” Brit grins, “barely any leftovers. And I had my heart set on a cold midnight snack.”
Hunter wraps his arms around her. “Just for you, I’ll grill another steak at midnight, and leave it to get cold.”
“I’m going to hold you to that.” Brit lifts her face for a kiss.
The thought of Driskell coming in here, laying a single finger on her, makes me want to bury my fist in the wall.
I have to protect them, whatever the cost.
“That’s our cue,” Tegan murmurs, as the kiss continues. She links her arm through mine. “Drive me home?” she asks, steering me to the door.
Blake snorts. “I’m right here,” he points out. “Going to the exact same place you are… with the car keys in my hand…”
I want to be alone and clear my head, but then Tegan gives me one of those heart-stopping grins, and I find myself agreeing.
“Sure,” I nod. “I’ll take you.”
Tegan goes up on tip-toes to kiss her brother goodbye. “Don’t wait up!”
Blake rolls his eyes. “Fine. Don’t stay out too late, isn’t that what I’m supposed to say? And drive safe,” he adds with a warning look to me. “Take care of her.”
“With my life,” I answer quietly.
We climb in my car and follow Blake down the drive, but instead of turning towards the beach house, I head in the other direction. The country blurs outside the windows, dark and still, but I can’t stop the chill creeping up my spine.
You were a fool to think you could get away from him. A guy like that doesn’t play by the rules.
I’m so lost in thought, I don’t even realize Tegan hasn’t said a word until I pull up at the house. The construction site sits silent in the dark, cement and timber stacked in the yard. A cruel reminder of all my big plans.
I switch off the engine. Silence.
“Who’s Driskell?” Her voice is quiet in the dark.
I close my eyes. Fuck. I never wanted to show her this side of my life, my dark and empty past. I wanted to be done with it, I thought these old ghosts would stay in their graves.
“Someone from my past,” I answer, hollow. All my hope and happiness is stripped away. I feel like I’m right back there: the seedy motel rooms, the dark back alleyways. Fists and threats, turning my head away from the ugly truth of what Driskell’s business really entails. “I thought there was no way he could trace me back here.”
Tegan’s face is nervous. “What does he want?”
“For me to know he’s found me,” I snort. “It’s why he called Brit’s place, that’s just his style. There wasn’t any message. Calling there, talking to Hunter, that was the message. So I know he’s found me. Found the people I love.”
“It was a threat,” she whispers.
I nod.
“So he’s dangerous?” Tegan looks at me, scared. “How do you know him? Why is he looking for you.”
“He thinks I owe him.” I exhale a defeated sigh. Suddenly, the anger is too much to take. I slam my hand against the steering wheel and let out a sharp curse. “Fuck!”
Tegan jolts in shock.
Damn. Regret crashes through me.
“I’m sorry.” I turn to her, feeling like the worst kind of human being. “I’m sorry about everything. I never meant for you to get mixed up in this. I thought coming here would be a fresh start.”