Blackmailing the Bad Girl (Cutting Loose)

by Nina Croft

  For a moment, it looked like Lisa wasn’t going to let him off that easily, then she smiled. “Great. She’s a natural.”

  He was aware Lisa had been worried about leaving him in the lurch. She was obviously confident Summer could do the job. “Will you be able to train her in just two more days?”

  “She could probably take over tomorrow.”

  High praise.

  But he’d known Summer was bright. She’d had to be, to carry out the scams she’d done. He glanced over to the desk where she was tapping away, doing an excellent job of ignoring him. “Good. I’m going to take her now,” he said. “Show her where she’ll be staying.”

  Summer looked up from the monitor, her eyes narrowed. “I have somewhere to stay.”

  “This place comes with the job. Think of it as a perk.”

  “No.”

  He raised a brow.

  She took a deep breath; he could almost see her counting in her head, trying to stay calm. “Nice as it is for you to arrange something for me, it’s not necessary. I’ve got a place to stay.”

  “Well, now you don’t need it.”

  She gritted her teeth and then forced a smile. “It’s been registered with my parole officer. I could get into trouble if I stay somewhere else, and it’s too late to contact them now.”

  Was she telling the truth? Should he push it? Her eyes were a little red.

  “Please,” she added.

  He sighed. “Okay. But I’ll drive you home.”

  “You really don’t have to. I’m quite capable of getting there myself.”

  He smiled. “I want to.”

  He turned to Lisa, who was standing with her mouth open. When she caught him looking at her, she shook her head. “Right then. I’ll finish up for the day. You two go ahead.”

  Summer’s eyes held a distinctly mutinous expression, but she got to her feet and picked up her purse from the desk. “Thank you,” she said to Lisa. “You’ve been very patient.”

  “No problem. I’ll see you on Thursday.”

  …

  They didn’t talk in the elevator. Summer stared straight ahead. The door opened on the ground floor rather than the parking garage, and she followed him out and through the main reception area. She’d worked here for two months. Now she peered around surreptitiously, but—thankfully—didn’t recognize anyone.

  The same black car was parked out front, the engine running, the driver standing by the rear door, waiting for them. He opened it when he saw them approaching.

  “There’s been a change of plans,” Nik said to him. “Where are we going, Summer?”

  She reeled out the address and then climbed into the back of the car, shuffling across as Nik got in beside her. She fastened the seat belt and stared out the window as the car pulled into the traffic. She didn’t know the area where they were heading, so she had no clue how long the trip would take. Not long, hopefully.

  She didn’t like being in such close confines. It made her feel…she didn’t know exactly. She was just stressed out from everything that had happened today. She hoped that after a good night’s sleep, everything would seem better in the morning.

  She cast a sideways glance at the man beside her. His long legs were stretched out, his hands resting on his thighs. He had big hands, perfectly manicured. She curled her own into fists to hide her chewed nails. It was a habit she’d thought she’d broken, but had picked up again in prison.

  How had she ever thought she had anything in common with this man?

  He was so…groomed. Even in the casual clothes, he exuded an air of privilege. She raised her gaze and found him watching her, his brows drawn together. “Just tell me one thing,” he said.

  She shrugged, though she could guess what he was going to ask. “What?”

  “Why did you do it? The thefts, I mean.”

  “For the money, of course.” But it was actually far more complicated than that. The first “job” had been for the money. She’d needed it, and felt she was owed it. Or at least, her mother was.

  “Do you like money, Summer?”

  “Who doesn’t?” She shrugged again. “I grew up poor. I didn’t like it. End of story.”

  And that was all he was getting from her.

  It occurred to her that maybe if she told him the truth, he might just let her go. But she had no reason to believe that. And if she told him the truth, he might trace the money she’d set up in a trust fund for her mother, and she couldn’t risk it. That money represented her mother’s independence. It had enabled her to get out of the care home she’d lived in since the accident. It allowed her access to the best medical facilities so she could live as normal a life as possible. So Summer would just do this job, and hope that by the time Nik’s real assistant came back, he’d be bored with the whole thing and he’d release her.

  She clamped her lips closed and stared out the window.

  “We’re coming up on the address now.” The driver’s voice came through a speaker. “It’s a no-parking zone. You want me to drop you off and you can call when you’re ready to leave?”

  “You don’t need to get out,” Summer said quickly. “I can manage from here.”

  “I’ll just check that you get in okay.” He pressed the link. “Drop me off here, Paul, and go home. I’ll get a taxi back.”

  She glared at him. She wanted to be alone. She needed to be alone.

  Certainly, she didn’t want to spend any more time with this man. But she had no clue how to get him to leave. That made her feel powerless. She hated that. It made her feel like the old Summer, the girl who had done bad things in order to feel as though she had a little control over her world.

  He climbed out and held the door for her while she clambered across. “Really,” she said as she got out and stood on the pavement. “You don’t have to come in with me.”

  “Just accept it.”

  Hands fisted at her side, she waited as he slammed the door and the car pulled away. Ignoring him as best she could, she looked around at what would be her home for the foreseeable future. She’d thought a place above a gym might be slightly sleazy, but the area appeared upmarket. The gym stood on a wide, tree-lined road, with a big glass window she couldn’t see through and a smart door with the words “Butler’s Gym” written in gold letters. She was definitely in the right place.

  Darcy had told her there was an alley to the side with access to the apartment, so she wouldn’t need to go through the gym every time. But she needed to collect the keys from the manager.

  “You’re living above a gym?”

  “So?”

  “You just don’t seem the gym type.”

  “It’s owned by a friend,” she said, pushing open the door. What did he mean, not the gym type? That she was weedy? She just needed building up. Her appetite had been nonexistent in prison.

  The door led into a bright reception area with a counter. Behind it stood a young woman, her dark hair pulled into a ponytail, tall and perfectly toned in shorts and a white polo shirt with a B on the pocket.

  “Can I help you?” she asked, her eyes widening on the man behind Summer. She clearly liked what she saw. Well, she was welcome to him.

  “Is Sam around?”

  “Who shall I say wants him?”

  “Summer Delaney. I think he’s expecting me.”

  The woman spoke into the phone quietly and then smiled at Summer. “He’ll be out in a moment.” As she finished speaking, the door opposite them opened and a huge man appeared. He had skin like milk chocolate, dark eyes and dreadlocks, and more muscle than Summer had ever seen on one man. She recognized him from Darcy’s description. He had a wide smile on his face, and he came straight across and enveloped her in a hug, lifting her off her feet. Surprised, she stood there unmoving. Finally, he loosened his grip, though his hands remained on her shoulders as he stepped back and looked her up and down.

  “Hey, sweetheart, you’re exactly like Darcy described.”

  She felt a smile
tug her lips. “You, too.”

  “Darcy said you need building up. We going to put some muscle on you. We’ll get you kicking some serious ass in no time.”

  “Thank you. That would be nice.” She could think of one particular ass she’d like to kick. She smiled at the thought. Behind her, the ass in question cleared his throat.

  “This a friend of yours?” Sam asked.

  “No.”

  “Yes,” Nik said at the same time.

  Sam raised an eyebrow, but he released his hold on her and stepped back.

  “This is my new employer,” she said. “He’s very kindly offered me a job and a lift here.”

  “That’s nice.”

  Nik held out a hand. “Nik Masterton.”

  “Sam Winters.”

  She watched as the two men shook hands. “I just came to make sure everything is okay,” Nik said. He sounded perfectly reasonable.

  “You’re a conscientious employer.”

  It occurred to her that if she asked him nicely, Sam would very likely throw Nik out for her. She thought about it, because she so wanted to be alone right now. In the end, though, she dismissed the idea. The problem was, Nik had all the advantages. He could get her locked up faster than she could say “embezzlement.”

  “You have the keys?” she asked.

  Sam pulled a set of three keys from his pocket. “The alley entrance, the door at the back of the gym, and the apartment,” he said, pointing to each one.

  “Thank you.”

  “My pleasure. Any friend of Darcy’s…” He gave a shrug. “You want me to come with you?”

  “No, we’ll be fine, thank you.”

  “I didn’t pick up any furniture, except for a bed so you’ll have somewhere to sleep. Darcy said you would choose some stuff together when she gets out. But there’s a little welcome pack waiting for you. From Darcy.” He jerked his head at the door he’d come through. “Through there, take the door at the end of the corridor, up the stairs, and the apartment is on the right.”

  Nik stayed close behind her as she headed off to see her new apartment. The corridor had several doors opening off it, and she caught a glimpse of training rooms, people working out, sparring. The gym seemed to cater mostly to men, though there was a class in the end room where women in smart workout clothes were dancing up a sweat. Zumba, she guessed.

  She’d never been a member of a gym. Nik had been right; it wasn’t her scene. She actually hated exercise of any sort, though she’d done some training with Darcy and it hadn’t been too bad.

  She unlocked the door at the far end of the corridor and made her way up the stairs. At the top, there were two doors. The second must lead to the offices. She took the one on the right, unlocked it, and held her breath.

  Her new home.

  The door opened into a large living space, painted a neutral cream with a big bay window overlooking the street, though double-glazed so only the muted sound of traffic came through. There was no furniture except a double bed parked right in the center, made up with a purple duvet set—her favorite color.

  “It’s nice,” Nik said from beside her, sounding surprised. He wandered across and stared out the window. “I don’t like you being alone here, though.”

  Why? And why the hell did he care? “It’s not for long. Darcy gets out in a few days.”

  Four doors led out of the living room. She tried the nearest, which took her into what she presumed was a bedroom. It was large and empty. There were two more bedrooms; she picked the smallest for herself. It had a window looking out into the side alley. Another door led into a small hallway and a huge bathroom, with a freestanding claw-foot bathtub. A stool stood beside the bath, with a folded purple towel, bubble bath, shampoo, conditioner, and soap. A purple silk robe hung from the door. Darcy must have organized all this. Summer’s eyes pricked. As soon as she could, she was getting into that tub. She was going to soak away the last of the prison smell from her hair and body.

  She just had to get rid of her new boss first.

  Opposite the bathroom was a big kitchen, which was partially furnished with a stove and a fridge. A breakfast bar dissected the room in two, and on it sat a single glass—a champagne flute—a plate and a knife and fork.

  There was a big sticker on the front of the fridge with “Welcome home, Summer” on it, and she smiled. Opening the door, she found two bottles of champagne and a huge chocolate cake—her favorite. She’d dreamed of chocolate cake in prison. Chocolate cake and Nik.

  Nik came up behind her and peered into the fridge. He grabbed a bottle of champagne and the cake. As he put them on the counter, his phone rang. He pulled it out of his pocket, looked at the screen, and frowned.

  “Giselle?” He listened for a moment. “I’m sorry. I forgot. Something came up.” He glanced across at Summer. “I’m not going to be able to make it.”

  He listened and then closed off the phone without saying another word.

  “Girlfriend?” she asked.

  “Acquaintance.”

  “Please feel free to go see your…acquaintance. I’m fine now. You’ve seen me home. It’s all safe. I’ll lock the door as soon as you’re gone.”

  He ignored her words. “I’ll order dinner. It will be here in half an hour.”

  “Dinner?” She shook her head. The evening was taking on a surreal quality. “I’m not hungry.”

  “You need to eat something. You’re down to skin and bone.”

  “Thanks,” she muttered. “But I have chocolate cake.”

  “Proper food. Healthy food.”

  She studied him for a moment. She’d avoided looking at him, but now she stared, trying to figure out what he wanted from her. He kept shifting from being a blackmailing bastard to a concerned do-gooder, and it left her off balance. And in between, there were those hot looks that he couldn’t quite conceal.

  She had no clue what his next move would be.

  “I don’t get it. Why are you doing this?”

  “You shouldn’t be alone tonight.” He picked up the champagne and expertly pulled the cork, poured a glass, and handed it to her.

  She took it without thinking. “I like being alone. I want to be alone. I’ve dreamed of being alone for two years.”

  “I read up about people coming out of prison.”

  “You did?”

  “Yeah. You’re going to be off balance. Emotional. Disoriented.” He looked at her almost accusingly. “Lisa said you’d been crying.”

  Bugger. She hated that he knew. “The day wasn’t working out as I planned. But I’m over it now. I have a fabulous new job and a great apartment. I’m good.”

  “You need someone with you.”

  She gritted her teeth. “Sam’s downstairs. I’m sure he’ll come and keep me company if I ask him nicely.”

  “You only met him today. He’s a stranger. You can’t invite a stranger in here.”

  “What about you? You’re far stranger than he is.”

  “Maybe. But I’m not a stranger. We talked for hours. You know me as well as anyone.”

  In some ways, he was right. He’d told her about the places he’d traveled, the things he had seen, what he loved to do, his favorite books. She’d shared her dreams and deepest hopes and wishes—all the time, revealing nothing of her real life. They’d shared everything and nothing. “I didn’t know you at all.”

  “Yes, you did. I never lied to you.”

  “I lied to you all the time.”

  “Why don’t you go have a bath?” He obviously decided it was time to change the subject.

  She shook her head again. Definitely surreal. But what could she do? She couldn’t get rid of him by force. And she could hardly call the police and get him thrown out. She took a sip of champagne. It was icy cold, and sharp, and the bubbles burst on her tongue.

  What were her choices here?

  Her best bet was to just ignore him.

  Maybe he’d get the hint and leave.

  Or maybe he wouldn’
t.

  She grabbed the bottle of champagne and headed to the bathroom. After slamming home the bolt behind her, she stood for a moment, bottle clutched in one hand, glass in the other. She drained her glass in one gulp, poured herself another, then put the bottle on the floor. Sinking down onto the closed toilet seat, she tried to get a grip on her emotions, which were in danger of spiraling out of control.

  Everything seemed so unreal. Being out like this. After so long. She started to shake and wrapped her arms around herself.

  What had he said? Off balance. Disoriented. Yup. All of that.

  He was right. All day, she’d only wanted to be alone. And now the idea terrified her.

  A bang sounded on the door. “Are you all right in there?”

  He was crazy. Why didn’t he just leave? “Go away.” But at least it shook her out of her funk. She stood up. Then she turned on the taps and added bubble bath.

  She felt weird taking off her clothes with Nik in the next room—weird and sort of hot at the same time—but she wanted to relax in that bathtub. As the room filled with perfumed steam, she undressed slowly, finally slipping into the hot water, submerging herself completely until she ran out of oxygen and had to come up for air.

  Maybe champagne would help. She reached over the side and picked up her glass.

  She was out, if not exactly free.

  Things could have been worse. He could have handed her to the police and she probably would have walked straight back into prison. She’d only gotten away so lightly because as far as anyone knew, it was her first and only crime, and she hadn’t actually gotten away with any money. Nik could blow that theory right out of the water. She’d taken his money, even if she hadn’t kept it. Then there was Trenton Industries. If anyone started looking, would they find a connection? To her? And to Danny, who’d provided her with alternative identities as well as hacking his way into numerous systems? All because he was her friend.

  But so far, Nik hadn’t given her up.

  She’d swear, despite his being just about everything she hated in the world, that underneath, deep down, he wasn’t an evil person. He wouldn’t play with her just to hand her over when she thought she was safe.