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“To be honest, I’m not sure if I’m going back. I still have to decide.” I said, and the sheriff nodded.
“Let me know when you do. I’ll tell you if we get any more information, but until he’s caught and this entire thing is handled, be careful.”
I nodded, getting out of my chair and heading for the door with another muttered thanks. My head spun from all the new things to think over, and the drive home was a blur. I only snapped back to the present when I’d walked inside and my phone rang with Oliver’s ringtone.
I stared at it for a beat, hand hovering over the ‘accept’ button. I hadn’t had a chance to really think about him yet.
Harvey was almost handled, and despite my keeping things strictly friendly between us, the crush on Oliver was still there. Was a few months long enough to be sure it wasn’t a rebound?
I could at least tell him everything now. Maybe afterward I could ask his opinion. He was a grown man, he could decide for himself if he wanted to risk the feelings fading.
Decision made, I accepted the call.
“Hey Oliver, how is your day?”
He hesitated a beat, then answered. “It’s fine. I heard through the grapevine that you were at the sheriff’s office and wanted to check that everything was okay.”
Oh, I’d forgotten about small-town gossip. Ignoring the flush working its way over my cheeks, I muttered. “I’m okay, though there was something I wanted to talk to you about, and it does have to do with why I was with the sheriff. Can you come over? It’s not something to say over the phone.”
He hummed. “Of course, I’m on my way now.” An awkward silence passed for a beat; then he gave his goodbye and hung up.
Setting the phone to the side, I took a deep breath. Do or die time. Once he got here, I’d tell him everything, and we’d see where it went.
Hardly fifteen minutes later, a knock sounded on the door and I moved for it, nerves fluttering around my stomach like moths. It was only after I opened the door though that I realized it wasn’t Oliver on the other side of it.
Harvey stared down at me, eyes dark and heavy with things I couldn’t name, and when he smiled, ice slid down my spine.
“Hello Jennifer, long time no see.”
Chapter 9
Instinct screamed to run away as far and as fast as I could, my lungs tightening as every muscle shut down in sync. I couldn’t run, I couldn’t evenbreathe.
And if the knowing smirk on his lips was any indication, Harvey knew that.
He forced open the door before I could shut it, his smile growing as he slammed it behind him. “That was rude of you, leaving me how you did with only a note. No worries though, we can still have the wedding.”
He still wanted to marry me?!
Then I remembered. The money; he wanted the money.
My stomach churned, and finally my muscles unlocked. Stepping away, I shook my head, forcing words through my suddenly dry throat.
“I told you, I don’t want to marry you. How did you even find me?”
He kept walking forward, that eery smile in place as he answered. “Funny you should ask that. Before I answer, let me askyousomething. What made you suddenly decide to break things off with me?”
His hand reached out and I flinched, just for it to brush my cheek almost tenderly, like the Harvey I’dthoughtI knew. I didn’t let it sway me.
He didn’t stop, gently stroking the skin as he spoke. “It was out of the blue…unless of course you were eavesdropping on a certain call of mine. A call that I mentioned the Louisiana property. Now, suddenly, there are cops at said property digging around. What a coincidence, right?”
My stomach dropped and I tried to back away, but his grip tightened to bruising levels and he yanked me closer, his smile finally dropping into a lethal snarl.
“How did I find you? Easily. I just had to look at where the orders were coming from for the search on the property. Once I knew what town to look at, finding you was a walk in the park. You’re going to pay for that little stunt, make no mistake, but first I’m getting that fucking money whether you want to marry me or not.”
This was so much worse than I’d expected, and adrenaline hammered through my veins. I had to get away, call the sheriff, callanyone.
Pain bloomed in my jaw as he finally let me go, only to slam his fist against the same spot before I could run. The momentum sent me sprawling backward, the wall hard against my back as the distant sound of tires came.
