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I climb out of the car but opt to leave Diamond in the backseat. I need to check with Kayla before I let him out. Adding a Mastiff who might not get along with her dogs could lead to disaster. Hell, I can hear Ava going crazy inside the house and I’ve barely set foot outside my car.
When was the last time I heard Kayla’s dogs bark like that?
I grew accustomed to their sounds while they were living in my apartment. Ava only barks when she has a reason to sound the alarm.
Or when a stranger tries to leave a cake on the porch.
I stop beside the sedan. The damn thing looks like a rental, not something an old hunter would drive. But it’s not a patrol vehicle. And I don’t see any signs of dog hair in the car. I’m pretty sure Kayla said Lucie owns a big dog.
I take out my cell and dial the deputy again. Not one damn ring. Just straight to voicemail. Maybe she is in the house with Kayla and Ava’s not happy with the cop’s presence.
“Lucie, it’s Gavin Black again. I can hear Kayla’s dogs, but something’s off. I think the old hunter who shot her might be back. I’d appreciate it if you’d swing by.”
I end the call when I reach the door leading to the kitchen. One glance through the glass panels and my heart fucking skips a beat.
Alexandra.
The blackmailing monster is standing in Kayla’s kitchen with a fucking gun. It’s like a scene from my worst nightmare. One glance and I know that nothing from my past—not the hunger or the fear—nothing compares to the panic coursing through me.
I can’t lose Kayla.
She doesn’t have to marry me. She just needs to stay alive and be in the fucking world.
Woof! Woof! Woof!
The Shepard’s warning vibrates the old farmhouse door. No wonder Ava’s barking wildly. She’s trying to defend Kayla from a lunatic with a loaded weapon.
“My turn girl,” I mutter as I pull open the door and step inside. I don’t have a plan. And I don’t stop to mentally draft a strategy. I know my goal—keep my crazy, blackmailing ex-girlfriend from shooting the love of my life.
“Gavin. You’re here.” Alexandra beams at me. She’s holding a gun and she’s smiling.
Yeah, that’s a whole new level of crazy. And I’m the one responsible for delivering her to Kayla’s doorstep.
Kayla moans a soft, “No, no, no.”
I look her over, searching for blood or a sign that she’s been injured. Nothing. She’s using her own body to protect the dogs. Luna sits behind her, and Cleveland rests in her lap. Rocky’s sitting on her right. And Ava, the brave, fierce barking Shepard mix, is dancing around in the space between Kayla and the woman with the gun.
“What the hell are doing, Alexandra?” I demand, turning to look at her. I need her focused on me. And I sure as hell wish she would point that handgun, or pistol, or whatever it is, in my direction.
“We watched your interview while we waited,” she says through her smiling lips. “I never thought you would spill those embarrassing secrets. How did it feel, telling the world you spent your high school years as a punching bag?”
“Good.” I answer honestly, sparing Kayla a quick glance. “I should have done it years ago. I would have realized that I’m not ashamed of my past.”
“Bullshit,” she scoffs. “Though I thought your plan to donate a small piece of your Gavin Black fortune to stop school bullies was a nice touch.”
“Put the gun down and I’ll tell you more about the plan,” I say.
“And lose my leverage?” Her smile fades. “I don’t think so.”
“What do you want?” I ask.
“You just went on national television and told the entire world that my mother left you to rot with that family,” Alexandra says sharply. Her grip tightens on the gun and I step in front of Kayla.
“Gavin, what are you doing?” Kayla murmurs.
We need time.
But I can’t tell Kayla that Lucie’s probably on her way. Hell, I can barely think straight and I just walked into this mess. Kayla’s been huddled on the floor, trying to shield her dogs since I chatted with Charlene on TV. That was two hours ago. She must be out of her mind with fear.
