Too Much to Lose

by Holt, Samantha

  There, against the pristine white tiles to a backdrop of luxury and the splash of water, I take her, hard and fast until she shatters around me. There, she steals any part of my heart I may have still had. It leaves me with no doubt that I will do whatever it takes to protect her.

  When I have her dried off and bundled up in a towel, I make a trip down to the hotel lobby under the pretence of asking for more towels. I hope she listens to my order to remain in her room. She seemed pretty sated and the accident has made her more obedient.

  Sitting myself by the ornamental fountain, I try not to remember what Jess’s skin looks like all wet. Half the things that have occurred recently have been due to my lack of focus—and that sexy woman. I need to concentrate. Her life is at stake here. I shut down my heated thoughts. Nothing gives a man motivation like the thought of the woman he loves getting hurt.

  I punch in the number Mitch texted me and wait, breath held.

  A click. “Yeah,” a gruff voice greets.

  “Lucas Delgao?”

  “Who’s this?”

  “Someone who can help you.”

  “What? What is this?”

  I allow myself a grim smile. “It’s regarding a Jess Callahan.”

  “I don’t know a Jess Callahan.”

  “Well, I do. And I know someone’s been following her and trying to hurt her.”

  He snorts. “So, what’s it to do with me?”

  “I can help that someone get her. I can bring her to them if they wanted.”

  “And why would you do that?” he sneers.

  “I could do with some money. The bank’s trying to foreclose on my house. I’m in a mountain of debt. I figure if someone wants her that badly, they’ll pay.”

  “How did you get my number? Who are you?”

  “I’m a P.I. It’s what I do.”

  “You’re the boyfriend, aren’t you? The one who keeps getting in the way.”

  My grin expands. “I could get out of the way for the right sum.”

  “I heard you were in debt,” he muses. I can practically hear the cogs turning. Would he really hand her over for money? he’s asking himself. “You can get her to me? To a certain place?”

  “She’s putty in my hands. I can get her to do anything.” I inject a smug note into my voice.

  “How much would it cost?”

  “Ten thousand.”

  There’s silence at his end, then a huff. “Five thousand.”

  “No way. Ten or nothing.” I’m pushing but I don’t want to seem easy.

  “Eight.”

  “Fine, eight. Cash.”

  “Only when you’ve handed her over.”

  “Of course.”

  “Bring her here.” He gives me the address of the studio apartment in King’s Cross I checked out the other day. “Can you bring her this evening?”

  I pretend to ponder this. “Sure, I can do that. What are you planning to do with her?”

  “Does it matter?”

  “Guess not.”

  “Good. Meet me there at six.”

  Lucas hangs up and I grin to myself. It’s not ideal. I’ll be on his territory but I’ll have the slippery fucker pinned down and in a private place where I can do what I want. He won’t think about touching Jess ever again.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Jess

  After an afternoon of food and amazing sex, I’m surprised when Hunter announces his friends will be here any moment. Thank goodness I decided to get dressed after our last passionate session. Mitch greets me with a grin and the other one, a blond haired guy with thick arms and a menacing look nods toward me as Hunter introduces him as Connor. I know a little of him from what Hunter’s told me. He trusts these guys with his life. But why are they in our hotel room?

  “What’s going on?” I ask as I perch myself on the edge of the bed.

  Mitch helps himself to a bottle of water from the mini bar and positions himself by the window. Connor sits awkwardly in one of the lounge chairs.

  Hunter wraps his hands around my arms and draws me to my feet. He presses a kiss to my nose and my heart flutters.

  “Hunter?” I prompt.

  “Mitch and Connor are going to watch over you for a bit. I’ve got to head to the police station.”

  “You have? But it’s so late. Why?”

  He shrugs. “Who knows?”

  “Well, I’ll come with you.”

  “No, you won’t, Jessica. I need you here.” His tone broaches no argument but his gaze remains soft on my face. “I won’t be long. I don’t want to be worrying about your safety.”

  “And what about your safety?”

  “Lucas is after you, not me. I’ll be fine.” He grins but it doesn’t touch his eyes.

  A leaden lump of dread settles in my stomach. “Hunter, what—”

  “Do you trust me?”

  I scowl. “Yes, of course. With my life.”

  The words are out before I’ve even thought about it. I might have admitted to loving him but I hadn’t said anything about trust. I’ve never trusted anyone before but I trust Hunter and it’s sends a rush of warmth through me, more powerful almost than love. I trust this man with my heart and my future. Whatever happens, he’ll stick by me and even if my past rears its ugly head, I understand now that Hunter won’t be scared away.

  For the first time in forever, I’m willing to put my future in someone else’s hands. I wish Mitch and Connor weren’t here so I could explain my revelation fully to him but he seems to understand. Warmth lights his blue eyes.

  “Do as I ask and stay here. I’ll be back within a few hours.”

  I frown. When did he speak to the police? He’d been on his phone when I surprised him this morning. Perhaps that had been them. Whatever they want, it doesn’t sound good. I sigh. If Hunter wants me here, I’ll stay. There’s no point in adding to his stress.

  “Fine,” I grumble.

  “I love you, Jessica. Remember that, okay?”

  “I love you too.”

  The kiss he gives me is all too brief. It leaves me aching and confused. His gaze searches mine and with what seems to be a small nod to himself, he leaves. I slump onto the bed. An ache gnaws at my heart. What is it that feels so strange?

  “Do you know what the police wanted?” I ask Mitch.

  Mitch shrugs and picks at the label on the water bottle. “No idea.”

  I glance at Connor who shifts in his chair. When I stand, he jumps up and Mitch looks ready to pounce. “I was going to go down to the lobby,” I explain.

  Mitch shakes his head. “You need to stay here, Jess. It’s not safe.”

  “So I’ve got to stay in this room? For how long? Until Hunter returns? What’s going on?”

  “Hunter just wants to make sure you’re safe while he’s gone. You know how protective he is.”

  I lift my chin. “So you’re going to keep me locked up?”

  Mitch laughs. “You’re not a prisoner. It’s just for a while.”

  Sinking back onto the bed, I replay Hunter’s words while I chew on the end of a finger. I do trust him, I really do. So why am I left with this feeling he’s lied to me? All I can think is if he has, he’s doing it because he believes it will protect me. That’s why he lied about my uncle. He feared I’d send him away. Is it something to do with him? Why did it seem like Hunter was saying goodbye. I mean, he even called me Jessica. He never calls me that.

  I glance at my two protectors. They know something. Their fidgety mannerisms give them away. But they’re loyal to Hunter. I doubt very much they’ll tell me anything.

  “Hey, Mitch, are you hungry?”

  “A little. Are you?”

  “Yeah, I was wondering if you could run down and get some bar snacks?”

  His brow furrows. “Can’t you just order room service?”

  “They don’t do snacks, just meals.” It’s true but I’m not hungry at all.

  Mitch shares a look with Connor. “Okay, I’ll be as quick as I can
. Don’t let anyone else in, Connor.”

  Connor sets his jaw. “Do I look stupid?”

  With a laugh, Mitch leaves and Connor stands to lock the door behind him. I let out a slow breath. One down, one to go. We sit in silence for a bit and I eventually get him talking about his bikes. Passion warms his face as the gruff-looking man explains what he does. I find myself becoming fond of him. I hope I don’t have to do anything drastic to get out of here.

  When he’s halfway through telling me about his latest job, I hold up a hand and he freezes.

  “I heard something,” I hiss. “Like a scrape at the door.”

  Connor comes to his feet. “Could be Mitch.”

  “Scraping?”

  “Yeah, you’re right. Stay there, I’ll check it out.”

  He approaches the door carefully and puts his eye to the peephole. While his back is turned I go for Mitch’s jacket and snatch his phone from the inner pocket. Palms clammy, I tuck it into my hand and settle back onto the bed just as he turns to face me.

  “Can’t see anything.”

  “Must have been my imagination.” I get off the bed and he pauses in front of the door.

  “Where are you going?”

  “The toilet, if you don’t mind.”

  Connor gives me a bashful look and sits back in the corner. I slip into the bathroom, lock it and pull out Mitch’s phone. Sure enough, there’s a thread of texts from Hunter on there. I pause when I see my name.

  It’s on. Going to offer Jess to him.

  My heart leaps against my ribs. What the hell? I push aside the foolish notion that he might betray me and keep reading. I sag onto the toilet as Hunter’s plan unfolds before my eyes. Stupid, stupid man. Who does he think he is? Superman? He’s underestimated Lucas and he’s going to get hurt, I can feel it in my heart. While Lucas might have been greedy and vicious, he wasn’t stupid. He knew exactly how to manipulate people and I’m willing to bet he won’t fall for Hunter’s plan.

  I pause at the address he’s given Mitch. It’s only about ten minutes from here but there’s no way Mitch or Connor will agree to take me there. Could I persuade them to go to him? It’s clear from the texts that Hunter has ordered them to keep me safe. I’m not sure they would. Unless I’m there.

  I have to get to Hunter.

  Placing the phone on the side, I step out and consider the man in the corner. I pause and feign a fearful gasp before putting my eye to the peephole. When I turn back, Connor is on his feet.

  “T-there’s someone out there.”

  He pushes past me and checks the peephole. “Are you sure? I can’t see anyone.”

  “They must have heard me. Are you sure they’re not hiding? Do you think it’s him? Connor, please check. I’m scared.”

  His hard gaze travels over me and his shoulders sag in resignation. I’m going to have some apologizing to do after.

  “Stay in the room and stay back,” he orders as he unlocks the door. He eases himself through the small gap. I approach quietly and when he’s far enough away from the door and peering down the corridor, I make a break for it. I sprint for the elevator. Connor calls out my name and heavy footsteps follow. I don’t know if I can outrun him but I have to try.

  The door of the elevator is open when I approach and I jump in, grateful to see it’s empty. I jab the close door button repeatedly and don’t let out a breath until the doors slide shut. I glimpse Connor’s furious face peering through just as they slide to.

  Now I’ve got to worry about whether he’ll beat me down the stairs but this elevator is quick. I’m sure I can make it. I lean back against the wall and watch the numbers while trying to calm my racing heart. When it reaches the ground floor, I bunch my muscles, ready to run again. The doors slide open and I barrel out. People cry out in indignation as I push past and nearly go flying over a pile of luggage.

  There’s too many people around to know if Connor is amongst them but hopefully that will work in my favour. I shove through the hotel doors and onto the street. Several taxis are waiting in a nearby taxi rank and I jump in and give the cab driver the address.

  For a brief moment, I lean my head back against the seat and draw in ragged breaths. I’m going to be in big trouble with Hunter and his friends. But it doesn’t matter. I can’t let Hunter get hurt because of me. He said he’d never leave me again. I need to make sure that he makes good on his promise.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Hunter

  The rifle aimed at my gut shouldn’t make me laugh, but it does. I knew someone was shooting at Jess. I like being right, I guess. The man holding it raises a brow and motions for me to move. Hands lifted in surrender, I sidle over to the metal chair in the corner.

  “Sit,” Lucas barks.

  “Hey, man, take it easy.” I ease myself into the cold metal, gaze firmly on the barrel of the gun.

  “Where is she?” he demands.

  “She’ll be here.”

  “You said you were bringing her.”

  “I was but things changed. She said she’d be here shortly.”

  “Why would she agree to that?”

  “Because she trusts me.”

  Lucas laughs, then narrows his dark eyes at me. “She’d better turn up or you’ll end up with a nice big hole in you.”

  I shake my head. “You don’t want to do that. Several people know where I am. You pull that trigger, they’ll be quick to find me and point the finger at you.”

  I study Lucas. He doesn’t look as crazy as I thought he would. Short, dark hair—a very bad dye job—tanned skin, white creases around his eyes where the sun hasn’t touched, and an average build with a small middle-age paunch. I could take him if he didn’t have a gun, I surmise.

  Damn. When I agreed to meet with him, I never expected a gun. Foolish, Hunter.

  Today was going to be the day this all ends. It will be the day it all ends, one way or the other. I won’t have Jess in danger. Lucas must have thought my greed outweighed my love for Jess when he agreed to pay a large sum for me to kidnap her for him.

  I flex a hand against the arm of the chair. Shame I haven’t managed to get a hit in yet. I’d really looked forward to throwing about some threats. With the info Mitch has on his financial dealings, I’ve got plenty of bargaining power. If I live that is. Of course, if that failed, I’d intended to take out a few of my frustrations on him. I doubt very much he’d go to the cops, not with his history of dodgy dealings, so I figured I’d be free to exact whatever punishment I felt appropriate. A broken nose perhaps. Some bruised ribs. Something for him to remember me by. To ensure he regretted ever thinking he could have Jess.

  But this rifle pointed at my head messes with my plan a little. Dammit. What has that woman done to me? Ever since I caught sight of that cute ass she’s consumed me. I wouldn’t have it any other way now, but I sure regret not thinking this through. All I wanted was her safe.

  “I’ll be out of the country soon,” Lucas muses. To himself or me, I can’t tell.

  “Thought you were setting up a new production company.”

  “Yeah, well I couldn't get any backing. All my supporters dropped away after one of the stupid whores started flinging around accusations.” He snorts. “Like they care what happens to the women. But one of them threatened to go to the papers. They can’t afford to have people digging into what really happens to them.”

  I curl my fingers around the metal of the chair, heat stirs in my veins. “Yeah, well, they deserve what they get, right.”

  Lucas blinks at me then grins. “God, yes. What do they expect when they want to fuck for money? They’re all whores. Jess though… she was the biggest of them all. Stuck up little bitch. She acted better than the rest but at the end of the day she still spread her legs for money.”

  I draw in a breath through my nostrils, beg myself not to react. I can barely keep the fury from showing on my face. “Not for you though.”

  “She will soon enough.” He strides over to the window and
peers out. “She’d better get here soon. I’ve got everything ready for her.”

  The bright white bedding, the camera in the corner and the studio light tell me everything I need to know. He’s planning to film himself and Jess. If that gun wasn’t pointed at me, I’d be spilling Lucas’s blood all over that pristine bed. Why hadn’t I been more cautious when meeting the man? I ask myself for the billionth time. Because Jess has messed with your mind.

  Still, I have Lucas in front of me which is more than I could say before. It’s far better to have your enemy in front of you rather than sneaking around and cutting brake lines, surely? Even if he is holding a gun.

  “You’re going to film her?” I prompt. It’s not every day you deal with a gunman, even in my profession, and especially in England. Gun crime tends to be limited to the gangs. But keeping him talking seems the best way to distract him. If I can get that barrel pointed away from me for long enough, I’ll take a chance.

  A gleam enters his gaze. I suspect he’s imagining every sick and twisted thing he’s going to do to her and my stomach curdles.

  “Yes. It’s going to have… a very special ending. Jess is going to regret turning me down very, very much.”

  “Special ending?”

  “You ever heard of the term ‘snuff’?”

  Coldness drenches me, seeping under my skin and wrapping itself around my heart. “You’re going to kill her?”

  “Yes. Fuck her and then kill her and have it all on camera.”

  “You killed that girl didn’t you? The one in the newspaper today.”

  “She was more a trial run.” He smirks. “Told you she would regret it, didn’t I? So you see, I don’t really care if I have to shoot you. One more death won’t make much difference but I don’t really want to mess up this room yet.”

  The stark white bedding becomes all the more sinister when I imagine Jess’s blood marring it. Before I realize what I’ve done, I’m on my feet and barrelling toward Lucas. No pain comes, as anticipated. No gun shot. Only the smack of flesh on flesh as I slam into his stomach and take him to the ground.

  “Never,” I grind out as I bring my fist across his face. The crunch of bone and warm splatter of blood does little to appease my anger. I can’t help a sadistic grin when the man struggles to get out from under me, still tightly clutching the gun.