Page 60 of Love From the Ashes
Suddenly needing the restroom, I debated on what I should do. Although I was afraid to leave Della, asking her to accompany me so I could pee might trigger questions I was unwilling to answer. I hadn’t seen the man in the brown jacket since he’d left the restaurant, even though I’d looked for him repeatedly while we’d shopped. Since he seemed to have disappeared, I mulled whether it was safe to be alone. Figuring the odds were in my favor, I decided to take the gamble.
I turned to Della as she browsed a display of lipsticks. “I’m going to run to the restroom while you look at makeup. I won’t be long.”
“No worries. I’ll be here for a while.”
I left Della and headed to the restrooms around the corner from the store and down a short corridor. I rubbed the back of my neck, suddenly feeling that prickly sensation again. I nervously glanced over my shoulder, but no one was there. The corridor was empty except for a group of people heading back toward the shops. Thinking I was overreacting, I tried to relax. Then I saw him. His cold dark eyes were watching me through the window of the clothing store near the restrooms.
I took a step, and the man did the same. Panicking, I backpedaled toward the shops. He sprinted from the store’s side entrance, blocking my exit back to Della. I gulped for air, my pulse racing. I was trapped with nowhere to go except the women’s restroom. Making a break for it, I ran down the hallway. The man roughly seized my arm, the force yanking me backward. Before I could do anything, he propelled me into the family bathroom, the door locked behind me.
I took a step backward while he advanced.
“I’d advise you not to scream if you value your kid’s health.” An evil-looking smile had transformed his mouth. “You look a little frightened. What’s the matter, Liv? You’re not happy to see your brother?”
“It’s Sofie,” I whispered.
He laughed. “Sofie Olivia Stevens, still trying to be the defiant little princess after all these years, is that it? Oh, that’s right, your last name changed when you married that little wimp, Dean Fletcher. I have to say you’ve gotten pretty damn hot over the years. I’ve got a line of johns that would pay a premium to give you a good fuck, especially with that baby in your belly. I never understood the attraction, but some guys get off on that stuff.” He took a menacing step forward, his hand suddenly underneath my sweater, his mouth at my ear. “Damn, you’ve got some nice tits. I could make some good money off you.”
“Stop, Nick. Please,” I begged, pulling his hand away.
“Don’t tell me what to do!” Nick’s hand was on my throat, and my body slammed against the wall. “I’ll do whatever I damn well want.” His voice softened. His mouth was back at my ear. “Don’t worry, you may be a good fuck, but I’m not into screwing my sister, although I enjoyed watching you and your boyfriend get it on the other night. It was a great show.”
My stomach roiled with his words.
Nick took his hand off my throat. “You were pretty damn easy to find once our dear mother found that article about you and your boyfriend.”
“What do you want, Nick?” I whispered, a tear sliding down my cheek.
“What do I want?” He laughed, the sound sending a chill up my spine. “Now, now. No need to cry. It’s pretty simple. You’ve found yourself a millionaire, and I want a piece of the action. You’re going to help me too. If not, well, you might not like the consequences. I’m even going to give you two choices. Your first choice requires welcoming your long-lost mother and brother into your life and your home. You won’t need to do much except play the game and stay out of our way while we get your boyfriend to trust us. Your second choice involves paying me to go away. I’d say a hundred thousand would do it. You were always an imaginative kid, so I’m sure that amount wouldn’t be too hard for you to get your hands on. Now, the next one isn’t a choice. It’s the penalty you’ll pay if you fail on either of your options, and it has to do with Denny.”
“Don’t, Nick, please,” I sobbed, my knees shaking as my body collapsed.
Nick caught me and dumped me on the toilet.
“Please don’t what? Tell Denny where to find you. That’s your penalty. You see, Denny gets out of prison in ten days, and you helped put him there on manslaughter charges when you testified at his trial that you witnessed him kill that hooker. You’re not his favorite person, so if you’re smart, you’ll take option one or two. Otherwise, I’ll tell Denny where you work and where you live. Oh, yeah, there is that little matter of you biting a chunk of meat from his leg before you ran away to Dean. I don’t think he’s willing to forgive you for that either, so there’s sure to be an extra-special payback, and I’m sorry to say he’s into anal these days, and he likes it rough.”
I leaned forward, heaving the contents of my stomach onto the floor. My skin felt clammy, and my breathing had become shallow. I could feel myself passing out.
“No, you don’t. Wake up, Liv.” Nick slapped my face. “I need you coherent, so you can go home and work your magic. And remember, I’m being nice. The choice is entirely yours. You can reach me at the Sky Park Motel. I’ll be waiting for your answer.” Nick straightened my clothes, a depraved look in his eyes. “I would refrain from saying a word about this to your boyfriend or the police. That would be a guaranteed penalty involving you and your baby’s health. This has been such a fun chat, but I need to get going. Enjoy the rest of your day, Liv.” Nick quietly left the restroom, leaving the door ajar.
I must have been there for a while because Della poked her head inside the bathroom, looking for me.
“There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” She suddenly noticed my vomit on the floor. “Oh, shit. You’re white as a ghost, and you’ve thrown up. I need to call Reid.”
“Don’t.” My voice was devoid of emotion, and my body felt like an empty shell.
“Okay. I won’t call, but I need to get you home.” Della helped me up from the toilet. Grabbing my bag, she led me from the restroom.
We passed a custodian while we headed toward the exit. Della told him about the mess I’d made in the family bathroom, gaining a sympathetic look when he saw my condition.
Della drove me home, walking me up the front steps when we got there. Reid must have seen her drive up, because he opened the door before I could retrieve my house keys from my purse.
“What the hell happened?” he said, taking my bag from Della and helping me into the house.
“She doesn’t feel well. Maybe it’s some residual morning sickness. She was fine until our last store. I’m going to leave you two alone. Sofie, I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” I said, trying to smile.
Della left, and Reid took me upstairs.