AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Very stupid, sweetheart, because you didn’t honestly think we wouldn’t have eyes on you, did you?And you just couldn’t wait to replace me, could you?”
“You don’t know him,” I nearly shouted back.My eyes were burning with the tears that threatened to come out.I put him in danger.I could be the reason Colt loses everything.This was exactly what I didn’t want.This is why I didn’t want to tell him.Although, even if I didn’t tell him, I suppose he’d still be in danger.
I swallowed my pride and answered, “What do I have to do?”
“Now that’s the spirit,” he said.“Meet me at the courthouse tonight.I’ll send you the details.”
“How am I supposed to get to New York by tonight?”
“I’m in Miami.I’ll text you the details.”That had me shuttering again.What if he was here?How close was he exactly?Before he hung up, he added, “Oh, and don’t bother telling your boy toy, because if he shows up, he’ll be leaving in a body bag.No one else is to get involved in this, Scarlet.”His warning came loud and clear.
I put the phone down and did some fast thinking, trying to find my way out of this nightmare.I came up short.I quickly splashed some water on my face and dried it on the nearest towel.Colt couldn’t suspect a thing, so I needed to act normal.
“What was that all about?”Colt asked.“Are you okay?”
I smiled.“It was a work thing, but it’s resolved now.”I quickly added, “And Brooke texted when I was on the phone.She wants to have drinks tonight.Thought I’d go over.Supposedly, Max will be out of the house and she doesn’t like being alone.”
He searched my eyes, but didn’t question me further.“I’m sure you two will have fun.Could be good for you, you know?Take your mind off of everything that’s going on.”
I grinned and laid a kiss on him.“Something tells me I won’t be forgetting about my predicament anytime soon.”
Especially now knowing that, not only did I just lie to the man that I was rapidly falling for, but I was going to be marrying a man in less than six hours that I didn’t trust, and, worse, didn’t feel safe around.
But what was I to do?Nick knew he had me, and Rafe was no doubt pulling the strings.Nick would’ve never brought up the topic of marriage unless Rafe first planted the bug in his head.And what Rafe wanted, Rafe got.Although I still wasn’t clear on how this would be a direct benefit to Rafe, and he never did anything that didn’t benefit him.I was screwed and worse, I think I just involved the sweetest man in the world—Colton.
I only hoped that Colt could forgive me one day.That he could understand the situation I was in and know I was doing this for him as much as for myself.
Colt’s deep voice rattled me from my thoughts.“I suppose forgetting isn’t going to be easy, but this might help.”His eyes grew dark and I knew exactly what he was thinking.
“I have other ideas, too,” I promised.
“Really?Care to share your ideas?”
I dropped the sheet and straddled him again.“Now, where were we again?”
Chapter Ten
Colton
The sourdough bread just came out of the oven and it looked heavenly.“Don’t mind if I do,” I said, going to grab a slice.
My mom swatted my hand away.“You’ll burn your mouth.”
“Mom, I’m not a child anymore.I think I can handle myself.”
She eyed me and didn’t back down.“Don’t be stupid, you need to learn to slow down.Have patience.”
It was in that moment I realized this wasn’t just about the bread.She was talking about so many things, but the bread didn’t even make the top ten.I understood, so I just laid my hands in my lap and watched as she cleaned up.
“Your father tells me you’re looking for a job,” she changed the subject, which I was grateful for.
“It’s not as easy as you’d think.I never graduated college and I’m not qualified for many things.”
“Don’t say that, Colt.Don’t cut yourself down like that.You’re overqualified for most jobs out there and you should know that.”She never liked it when she felt I wasn’t giving myself enough credit.I didn’t know how I got so lucky with a mother like her, so I just nodded.
“Well, I did think about going back to school, but I’m just so over that.I don’t want to sit in a classroom all day and listen to lectures.I’m too restless for that.I want to work with my hands, you know?”She just listened as she set out to slice the warm bread.
Then as if an idea struck, she said, “Why don’t I make some calls to the girls at the club.Their husbands are all very successful and I’m sure someone is looking for help.”
