by Sam Crescent
The next morning, he booted up his computer and logged in to video chat with Damir. He’d taken time off to deal with Catherine’s funeral, but he still had business in Saudi Arabia.
“I got a message for you on the company phone,” Damir said, holding up a piece of paper. “It says, and I quote, ‘I am unable to meet with you because I realize it’s just not that safe for a woman to meet with a stranger. Hope you have a good meal. Try the pork fried rice. Please don’t hate me.’ End quote. She left her name as the ice cream lady.”
Some of the tightness that had been in his chest eased. He hadn’t realized until right then just how much her absence last night had affected him, and he didn’t want to analyze the emotion too deeply.
“All right,” he murmured, thinking. “Plan B.”
“Sir?”
“Damir, I need you to get me a dog.”
His assistant blinked. “Um … a what?”
“A dog. Perhaps an older one that’s house trained. I can’t be bothered with the exuberance of a puppy.”
“But … but … how am I supposed to find you a dog? I’m thirteen thousand kilometers away from you.”
“Oh,” Alex said, frowning. “I forgot. Never mind, I deal with it myself.”
Looking a little flustered, Damir straightened some papers. “Yes, well, when can I expect you back?”
“I plan to have everything wrapped up here in a couple of weeks. Then I’ll be back to plan the next refinery.”
He hung up with Damir and tented his fingers as he thought about the next step in breaking Peter Jensen’s life apart. Catherine had already been laid to rest in the crypt he’d had designed for their mother, a beautiful mausoleum that would stand the test of time. He hadn’t been able to give the woman who had birthed him and worked her fingers to the bone to give her children a fighting chance in life the palace she deserved. So he’d given her the next best thing, a tomb to rest eternally in peace and comfort.
Now Catherine resided beside her.
Sadness tried to take over, but he pushed it down, reaching for the anger that simmered just below the surface. He had no time for any other emotion. Not sorrow, regret, and certainly not depression. Revenge was his only motivation.
Chapter Three
“You look exhausted,” Peter said the next morning as Abigail walked into the small kitchen to get a cup of coffee.
“I didn’t sleep well,” she admitted. “Thanks for making coffee.”
“My pleasure. Can’t function without it. In Saudi it’s a very traditional experience. If you have time and go to the more formal coffee houses, they roast the beans in front of you. The coffee is rich and can keep you up for days.”
He smiled sadly.
“Is there a chance for you to be rehired?” she asked. “What about another engineering company?”
He shook his head. “It’s a very tight-knit community, and I was told in clear, concise terms, I was no longer welcome. I just don’t understand what happened. I mean, I’d be truthful if I thought my work was subpar, but it’s a redundant system. Back-ups with back-ups and double checks. It … it just doesn’t make sense.”
She patted his hand. “It’s going to be okay. You can stay with me as long as you need to.”
He nodded, and although he smiled, an underlying sadness lingered on his face. Abigail wished she knew the right words to say to make him feel better, but she knew that this was something he’d have to get over himself.
“I have to work today, but I can call out if you need me to,” she said.
“No,” he replied firmly. “No need to change your day because of me. I plan to contact some people I know. I’ll be fine.”
Abigail sipped her coffee but couldn’t help but feel glum for her brother. Peter was the type of man who needed to be busy, to constantly go, go, go. All she could do was hope that he found work again soon.
****
She hardly had time to think when she got to work, staying busy with a full morning roster. It wasn’t until right before lunch that she looked up and saw Alex standing in the doorway with a small dog in his arms, that she came to a stop. Dressed in jeans and a tight t-shirt that showed off his muscles, he filled the doorway, looking like a mouthwatering piece of man-candy. Customers and coworkers alike took a double-take.
She had a different reaction. Yes, he still made her pulse jump with attraction, but now confusion and suspicion filled her as she approached him.
“Alex? What are you doing here?”
He held up the wiry looking mutt, clearly a mixed breed of some kind. The poor thing shook in his arms, and her heart melted. She scratched behind the dog’s ears.
“Isn’t it obvious?” he asked, holding the dog out toward her. “He needs the works.”
“You want me to groom your pet? How did you even know where to find me?”
“You told me you worked at The Pet Center, and I called every one until I was told you worked here.”
She blinked. “Are you stalking me?”
His brow furrowed. “When you put it like that, it sounds really bad.”
“Yeah,” she said. “It also looks bad, at least from my perspective.”
He held up a hand, like he was surrendering. “Honestly, I considered it more of a romantic gesture. You stood me up, but I really wanted to see you again. So if the mountain wouldn’t come to Muhammad…”
“I’m not a mountain,” she said. “Look, you’re a good-looking guy, and any woman would say yes to go out with you—”
“I tried that. You didn’t show.”
She raised an eyebrow. “So you tracked me down?”
“My dog needs your help.”
A red flag went up, and she shook her head. “No, Alex. This isn’t normal. I’m afraid I can’t help you.”
As she turned to walk away, he grabbed her arm. She looked down at it and then pointedly up at him. He released her, giving a small sigh.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “Yeah, this looks bad, but I wanted to talk with you. That’s all.”
“Why?” she asked, genuinely perplexed. “Why me?”
He didn’t answer right away, and that nagging feeling that he was holding back on her struck her hard. Alex didn’t look like the type of man who suffered from a lack of self-confidence, so this hesitation looked unnatural. Common sense told her she should walk away, let another groomer handle his dog while she held fast to her gut instinct, and just as she was about to ask her coworker for help, he pleaded.
“Please. I’ll tell you why. It’s a complicated reason.”
She sighed.
“You’re my last client before lunch,” she said, aware of her coworkers looking at her strangely. “I guess. Would you like to go next door and get coffee?”
He smiled. “That’d be great.”
“You’re not off the hook, mister,” she said. “You have to tell me why me. I’ve seen enough true crime shows to know you’re not being truthful for some reason.”
He nodded. “Deal.”
She told her boss she knew the client and punched out for lunch, grabbing a bowl and some water for the small dog, and led Alex next door to the coffee house. Once they ordered their drinks, they sat down outside so the dog could drink his water.
“All right,” she said, take a quick drink of her iced coffee. “Spill.”
“There’s no easy way to say this except … it was my company that bought your apartment building.”
The cup stopped halfway to her mouth. “What?”
“You want to know why I tracked you down? It’s because I saw you the other day, after the sale had gone through,” he said. “I visited the complex, and there you were. Dressed in your black scrubs, reading your mail. You looked sad, and I knew it was probably because you’d gotten the eviction notice.”
“So you decided to comfort me?”
“I don’t know what I planned to do, but I knew that I had to see you. To talk to you.”
His gaze was steady, forthri
ght, and she found herself relaxing. “So when you approached me in the ice cream parlor, you already knew who I was.”
“Yes.” He leaned forward, placing his elbows on the small table. “At least, in an abstract way. So now you know the reason why you.”
“Did you do this to all the other tenants?”
He shook his head, his blue gaze steady and focused on her. “Of course not. This is nothing more than a business transaction, one I’ve conducted countless times before. But one look at you, and I, well, let’s just say it was a revelation.”
She didn’t want to admit that made her feel special. And sexy. She didn’t think any man ever found her attractive at all. “It’s more than a business transaction. That’s been my home for years. What do you plan to do with the complex?”
“The investors I have want to convert the complex into condos and sell them off,” he explained. “The land is worth significantly more than the buildings.”
“Not to me,” she said vehemently, then flushed. “Sorry. I guess for you this happens all the time. I just wish it wasn’t my place. I like it there.”
“I’m sorry.” He frowned, as if surprised by his admission. She supposed he wasn’t used to facing the person he was going to make homeless.
She reached over and patted his hand. “It’s okay. I understand, Alex. And … thank you for making the effort to come see me. It’s so sweet of you.”
He snorted. “I’m hardly sweet.”
She looked over his muscles. “You’re probably right. Still, I appreciate you thinking of me.”
He flipped his hand over, taking hold of hers, and for a long moment she stared at their entwined fingers. Her heartbeat sped up as the moment immediately intensified.
“I know I scared you,” he murmured. His thumb caressed the soft patch of skin near her thumb. “I’m sorry about that, too. I promise, I’m not a serial killer after you.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s what all serial killers say.”
He smiled, and she couldn’t help but reciprocate.
“Let me take you out to dinner properly?” he asked. “No strings attached.”
“I’d like that,” she replied. “I guess you know where I live.”
He shook his head. “No, I still want you to feel safe. So we’ll meet in a public place.”
She liked that he still thought of her own comfort. “Tonight?”
“You know, I have a craving for some Chinese food.”
“I happen to know the perfect place.”
Chapter Four
Abigail finished putting in her earrings in her lobes, then stood back to take one last look in the mirror to judge her overall appearance. Not bad, she thought. Sure, she could lose a few pounds, but realistically that wasn’t going to happen. Exercising didn’t sit too high on her to-do list since she spent all day on her feet, running back and forth as she took care of her animal clients.
“Not bad,” Peter said from the doorway. He held a bowl of cereal in his hands, munching away. “Do I have to play big brother tonight and puff out my chest?”
“No,” she said, smiling. “We’re meeting in a public place. And I plan to be home by midnight, so no turning back into pumpkins.”
“Sounds like a good plan.”
“Why are you eating cereal for dinner? There are some leftovers in a container in the ‘fridge.”
He shrugged, took another bite, and then tried to talk around the food in his mouth. “I need the fiber.”
“You’re gross, you know,” she said as she walked past him to grab her shoes in the front closet. “Don’t wait up.”
He saluted her with his spoon. She rolled her eyes, grabbed her purse and left. The drive to the restaurant was short, and nervous excitement grew with every mile that grew closer. As she pulled into the parking lot, she saw him already sitting in a booth. He glanced at his watch, and a pang of shame hit her as she pictured he’d probably done the same thing the night before, only without her showing up. So she parked and hurried inside.
Their eyes met, locked, and he rose from the booth to greet her. Bending, he kissed her cheek, and the feel of his lips on her skin sent a wave of desire through her. Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm her racing heart.
“You made it,” he murmured, gesturing for her to sit.
She smiled sheepishly. “I hope you haven’t been waiting long.”
“No, not at all. I haven’t ordered yet. Just in case.”
Abigail flushed. “I’m sorry about that.”
“All bygones now,” he replied. “I do appreciate you coming to meet me. I know it’s hard to understand how your home can be taken away from you.”
She cocked her head at the slight dark inflection she detected in his words. “Did that happen to you?”
He didn’t answer right away, but their gazes locked and behind the blue orbs she saw something painful flicker.
“When I was a kid, my sister and I…” His voice faded for a moment, and he had to clear his throat. “Our mom had to work several jobs to support us. We were constantly moving around. It made me want to succeed. To be able to afford to give her all the comforts she deserved.”
“And were you able to do that?”
He shook his head. “She died young. Worked herself into a heart attack at age fifty-four. And I have no idea why I’m telling you this.”
Abigail reached over and took hold of his hand, squeezing it. “I’m so very sorry. I’m not sure why all the good souls are taken so early. I’m sure she’s watching over you, and she’s proud of you.”
Alex cocked his head, looking perplexed. “I’ve just admitted to taking your home, but instead of yelling and crying, you’re comforting me.”
“What good would crying and yelling accomplish? Yes, I love my apartment and this sucks, but it’s a done deal.” She shrugged. “Why waste energy on empty realities?”
“You should, at the very least, be angry with me.”
The waitress came over at that moment to take their order. It gave Abigail a moment to collect her thoughts. She ordered the pork fried rice, and he ordered beef with broccoli. Once the waitress moved on, Abigail resumed their conversation.
“Anger is a worthless emotion,” she said. “I won’t lie and say I’m not upset at the thought of having to move from what I considered my home for many years, but to be angry at you … you might be the perpetrator, but you said there were others. Investors who made decisions. And it wasn’t like you knew me before you decided to buy the apartment complex.”
She smiled at him, wanting him to know that she really held no hard feelings toward him. It also meant a lot that he had come forward to talk to her, to make sure she would be okay. In her opinion, it took guts to admit to someone they were the cause of their soon-to-be move.
Alex stared at her for a long moment, not saying anything. A frown touched between his eyes, causing lines to form on his brow. He opened his mouth to say something, hesitated, then closed his mouth. Abigail wondered what he’d been about to say, but didn’t press the issue. Their food came, and for a few minutes they didn’t say anything more as they ate.
“You were right,” he said once he’d wiped his mouth. “This is really good.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“Yeah, I do,” he admitted. “And I like you, Abigail.”
Excitement thrummed through her, the kind of happiness that happens when the guy you find attractive says he feels the same. “I like you, too, Alex. Although we’ve not had a very typical meet-and-greet.”
He acknowledged with a sheepish grin and nod. “Sorry for the stalker vibes.”
She cocked her head. “Is that even your dog?”
“He is now,” Alex admitted. “Got him from the animal shelter.”
“Well, give him a good home. Senior dogs need love too, you know. Everyone deserves a second chance in life.”
That bleakness entered his gaze once more, but this time so fleeting, she wondered if she’d seen i
t all. Something bothered him, but if it was an old memory or something more recent, she couldn’t tell.
“Would you like to go out again?” he asked.
“We’re not even done with this date.”
“I’m planning ahead. That’s what I do. I’m constantly … planning.”
She smiled, thrilled he wanted to see her again. “I’d like that.”
****
Driving home, Alex glanced at the mutt on the car seat next to him. The old dog stared up at him with hopeful eyes, and it dashed any thought of returning him to the shelter. Damn it. He hadn’t come to Vegas with the intent of getting a pet. Likewise, he hadn’t figured in the attraction he felt for his intended target. Or that he might actually find her … nice. Sweet. Innocent.
Not innocent in the sense of being a virgin, but in the way of being the object of revenge. Abigail Jensen held no part in her brother’s atrocities, and it troubled him greatly of what he was about to do. Make her fall in love, seduce her, and then coldly leave her. His instincts screamed at him to walk away from this, away from her, but the anger still burning in his heart refused to let him falter.
Catherine’s ghost demanded retribution.
He may like talking to Abigail. He may enjoy spending time with her. But in the end, she was nothing more than a pawn, and he had to remember that.
Chapter Five
The next few weeks flew by for Abigail as she balanced trying to find a new place to live with her suddenly busy love-life. At least she had Peter to help her look for a new apartment, although his job status worried her. Peter had done a few video interviews, but nothing had panned out, and he commented that it was like a collective wall had been built up, restricting anyone from hiring him. Even his old bosses didn’t have work for him, and gave the impression they didn’t even want to talk to him.
As much as her home life seemed to be up-in-arms, her romance with Alex blossomed. Even if it was a simple walk in the dog park or to catch a small performance at a local coffee-house, she enjoyed being with him. They would talk about everything, or just share in the silence. Her feelings deepened daily every time he smiled at her, or took her hand, or stared into her eyes.
