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“There’s a list of people who would agree with you. Margaret’s on the top of it,” he says. “I love you, Kayla Greene, and I’m sure as hell going to prove it to you. But first I need to chat with New York’s favorite morning show host. And Charlene is getting a little impatient. She’s frowning and casting nervous glances at me. I promised her one hell of an interview. I bet she’s wondering if I’m going to walk away.”
“You still can,” I say.
“I’m done hiding, Kayla. The woman I love knows the truth, the bad and ugly parts, who gives a damn what the rest of the world thinks.”
“You do,” I remind him. “I know you, Gavin. What people think matters to you.”
He can’t do this for me. My mother’s right. He created Gavin Black out of self-preservation. Abused, bullied kids didn’t grow up to be billionaires or New York’s most eligible bachelor.
But he did.
And it shouldn’t matter to me or anyone else how he accomplished that amazing feat.
“You’re right. What everyone thinks does matter to me,” he admits. “But I think I’ve got that part covered too. Now, go watch the show.”
I glance up at the canopy of red and orange trees. “Gavin, I’m near the top of the smokestack trail. I’m two miles from the house.”
“Oh.” I can hear the disappointment in his voice. “We can watch it later. Together. I really need to go now. I love you.”
The calls ends and I lower the phone. I stare at the dogs. “He’s going to do it. He’s going to tell world about Terrance Montgomery.”
The dogs stare back at me. They don’t understand my words, but my tone has their attention.
“Listen,” I say in my best you’d-better-sit-or-else dog trainer voice. “We need to run home.”
Ava barks. I push myself off the ground and charge forward, moving as fast as I dare on the fallen leaves. My Shepard leads the way with the other dogs right behind. Together, we race down the trail.
My lungs are burning by the time we reach our driveway. Ava is still out in front, but the others are behind me. I glance back at Luna. The poor girl will need a long nap after that wild race down the hiking path. But I’m hoping we made it in time to catch the end of Gavin’s interview.
Ava starts barking and I realize there is an unfamiliar car in my driveway.
“Please don’t be the crazy hunter with another pie,” I mutter, slowing to a walk as I move past the white sedan. The other dogs rush forward and join the chorus. I look up from my pups and freeze.
There’s a woman standing on my porch with a gun, but she’s not a hunter. And her pistol is pointed right at me.
Fuck.
There’s a reason I don’t curse much. The words never feel necessary. But now? When my heart is racing from a wild run that ended with Gavin’s crazy ex threatening to shoot me? That’s the perfect time to curse and run.
But if I turn to leave, there’s a chance she’ll fire. And she might hit one of my dogs.
“Alexandra,” I say, sliding my hand into my pocket to claim my cell. A call to Lucie, my friendly deputy seems like the second best plan. “What are you doing here?”
“Keep your hands out of your pocket.”
“I need to get my key,” I lie.
“The door is open.” She nods to the kitchen entrance. Sure enough the door is ajar. The blackmailing bitch has already been inside my home.
“Come inside, or I’ll shoot your dog.” She shifts her aim until the pistol is pointed straight at Rocky.
“No.” I step forward, placing myself between the gun and my old, sweet, loving rescue pup. “I’ll go inside with you. The dogs stay out here.”
“Gavin said I couldn’t hurt you. It looks like I found a way.” She grins and nods to the dogs. “The animals come with us. I don’t want you to get any ideas while we wait for Gavin.”
I lead my pack of barking dogs inside. I can only hope that Ava won’t stop sounding the alarm before Gavin drives up. If he hears her, hopefully he’ll know to call for help first.
“Quiet the Shepard or I shoot her first.”
