by CJ Roberts
He didn’t want her to sell her home or the jewelry her dead husband had given her to pay him back. But what choice did he have? If he didn’t pay the money, the stalker would still go after Lauren. “Why would you do this?”
“Because you mean the world to me, darling.”
Just then, he heard a noise and looked over his shoulder to see Lauren coming down the stairs, struggling with her luggage. Vivian quickly pulled a tissue out of her purse and furtively wiped at the streaks on her cheeks. Nic raced up the steps and grabbed Lauren’s bags, then set them on the floor near the door.
She stood frozen at the bottom of the stairs, staring at Vivian, saying nothing. Vivian broke the silence with one of her usual catty comments. “Leaving so soon, dear?”
Seeing Lauren’s eyes narrow, Nic decided to intervene before things got uglier. “Vivian, thanks for dropping by.” He hooked an arm around Vivian’s shoulders and led her to the door. “Let me know when the deal goes through, okay?”
“You can count on it.”
Closing the door behind her, Nic barely suppressed a sigh of relief. Both women had looked ready for a no-holds-barred cage fight. He plastered a blank expression on his face and turned around. “Ready?”
She nodded but didn’t make a move to come closer.
“Is something wrong?”
“I… uh…” She stopped and swallowed, then licked her lips as if her mouth were dry. “I want you to keep an open mind about what I’m going to say.”
“Okay.” Her hesitation was making him nervous.
“Vivian wears designer shoes.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
Lauren closed her eyes for a moment and sighed. “Nic, open your eyes. Vivian fits the profile of the stalker perfectly.”
Nic shook his head. Vivian had the means to do this and God knows she had the opportunity. But as far as he could tell, she had no motive. How would Vivian benefit from stalking him or trying to get money? Shit, the woman had already cleaned him out.
Lauren took a step toward him. “Promise me something.”
“What’s that?”
“Every time you see her from now on, look at her shoes. I know I’ve seen her wear red-soled shoes before.”
Nic folded his arms across his chest. “Okay.”
“Promise?”
When he nodded, she closed the distance separating them and rising on her toes, placed a tender kiss on his lips. “Be careful, Nic. I don’t want to lose another man I love to violence.”
He gazed into her sweet blue-green eyes, feeling like a dead man walking. “You already have, chérie. You already have.”
Vivian stood silent, unmoving, after Nic closed the door behind her. The defeat on that moneygrubber’s face as she plodded down the stairs with her luggage had been priceless. But before the celebration started, she had to be sure the leech was leaving for good.
She pressed her ear to the door. The cow was saying something, but she couldn’t make out the words. Vivian eyed the handle. She did have the key…. Maybe she could open the door just a tad. As she was about to turn the knob, she caught sight of the security keypad and froze. Shit. Nic had changed the code and hadn’t given her the new one.
Damn it, she had to know what they were saying. The gold digger had gotten the Vanity Fair job, what more did she want? Like Summer, she was using Nic as a launching-pad for her career. Why else had she entered that photography contest?
The sound of movement on the other side of the door captured her attention. After cupping her hand, she leaned her ear against it. Lorna was speaking. What was she saying?
“I don’t want to lose…” Vivian’s stomach fluttered. This could be it. God she was so close. The end of the sentence was garbled, but the missing word had to be “you.”
Vivian waited breathless, for Nic’s response. She couldn’t stand much more of this. He had to tell the parasite to hit the road. She’d given him warning after warning, and he’d ignored them all. At least until receiving the blackmail notice. Oh, what genius that had been, if she did say so herself. Her poor darling was wonderfully protective and loyal to a fault. She’d never doubted the extremes to which he’d go to protect his sister, and himself, from the press. She chuckled softly at the thought. He was a bit of a diva that way.
“You already have,” he said, and tingles raced up and down Vivian’s spine, like the precursor to a supernova of an orgasm. Hallelujah! Nic had finally dumped his little piece of tail.
Vivian leaned her head against the door and breathed a sigh of relief. For a few days now, she’d been worried that he’d mess up her plan. And even though she really hadn’t wanted to hurt him, she would have if he’d continued seeing the tramp.
But today, he’d manned up. Her chest warmed with pride at how he’d honored her love and friendship. The hurt in his eyes when he’d asked why she hadn’t confided in him about the agency’s troubles had broken her heart. But his expression of bemused love when he’d accepted her offer to loan him the cash to pay the blackmailer? Well, that look of love made this whole charade worthwhile. She felt a momentary pang of remorse for the necessary deception but shrugged it off.
Everything she’d done had been out of love.
She hadn’t enjoyed killing Summer. Well… maybe just a bit. But that was beside the point. She’d killed her because she’d had to. The too-stupid-to-live idiot had deserved to die for what she’d done to Nic. And if that slut Lorna tried to ingratiate herself back into his bed, Vivian would have to take a more direct approach to getting rid of the vermin in Nic’s life.
Vivian pushed away from the door. She’d heard enough. Her plan was coming together. Now that Nic had chosen her above all others, she could move on to the next step: resolving the blackmail issue. Tomorrow she’d call him and let him know that by some miracle, she’d managed to scrounge up the full ten million dollars. She grinned, thinking how pleased he’d be with her for saving him and Rachel from exposure. On Saturday, she’d join him at the ranch, and on Sunday, they’d meet the deadline and transfer the ransom to the blackmailer’s account, together. And then, finally, her dream would come true.
A laugh bubbled in her chest as she imagined his reaction when she brought him to the island paradise she’d created for their mutual pleasure and showed him what his money had bought. After they were married, she’d gift him with the blackmail money. She couldn’t wait to see the surprise on his face when she told him it was all in a joint account she’d set up for them in the Bahamas.
Just thinking about the appreciation he’d lavish on her sent a thrill of excitement rippling through her body. It would be nothing like what she’d seen him do with that cunt because Nic loved her. His actions today had proved it.
But how was she going to get him away from Kaden? A smile broke out across her face. Summer’s idea of using Rohypnol had been brilliant, even though she’d had to die because of it. But unlike Summer, Vivian knew what she was doing.
She’d slip a tablet of Rohypnol to Kaden somehow and stash him somewhere no one would find him for a while. Then she’d suggest Nic take her to Starbucks. A little Rohypnol in his coffee, and voilà! They’d be off to the airport, and off to paradise. And if anyone commented on Nic’s state, she’d laugh and say something like, “You know how these Hollywood types like to party…”
A chartered plane would be waiting to fly them from Montréal to the Caribbean, and from there it would be a short boat ride to their new home.
Behind her, the elevator made a noise. Shit, someone was coming. Turning, she spotted the emergency stairs. She’d stay there until the coast was clear. Soundlessly, she slipped into her hiding spot.
And rejoiced in her victory.
19
The door shut behind Lauren with a finality that threatened to stop her heart and made her mind reel. How fast everything had changed. This morning she’d woken up in Nic’s arms, and now she was leaving, never to see him again. Except in movies. Her life had
come full circle. She was back in that lonely place she’d been before meeting Nic. Worse even, because she’d have to live with all the memories of what could have been. Tears filled her eyes.
The elevator opened, and she stumbled walking into it. Jake, her new bodyguard, gripped her elbow, steadying her. She murmured her thanks and turned away, trying to keep him from seeing the tears tracking down her cheeks.
“Thought you could use this ma’am,” Jake said gruffly, handing her a handkerchief.
Embarrassed, she dried her eyes, then glanced at him. “I’m sorry, Jake.”
“No need, ma’am. Partings are hard.”
Lauren nodded. It would take a lifetime to get over losing Nic, a lifetime to ease the ache in her chest.
They arrived on the ground floor and Jake led her to a limo waiting by the curb. She turned to look up at Nic’s windows. When a curtain fluttered, her stomach somersaulted. But then a breeze moved the curtain again. Her stomach plummeted. He wasn’t there.
A barren emptiness grew in her chest, bending her like a leaf. Sobbing, she slumped against the side of the car, and wrapped her arms around her waist. It was just like when Todd died, when depression had gripped her in its fist. Oh God! She couldn’t let that happen again. Fight it, Lauren!
Seconds later, Jake was at her side. “It’ll be okay ma’am. You’ll be safe with me.” He helped her into the back seat of the car. When she just stared at him dumbly, he added, “I promise.” Then he shut the door and climbed into the driver’s seat.
As the car drove off, she forced herself not to glance back. She had to focus on her future. She’d lost Nic, but she hadn’t lost everything. The job with Vanity Fair opened up new possibilities for her and Jason.
Jake wheeled the limo onto the freeway. Through the window, cars and buildings zoomed by. Life was like that. It zoomed by and if you didn’t keep your eyes wide open, you’d miss it. That’s how her relationship with Nic felt—over before it started.
What hurt the most was losing him even though he loved her, she loved him, and they were both alive. She hated this whole situation. Hated that a stalker was dictating their actions. Hated that violence was once again controlling her life.
She pounded her fist on the seat beside her. She’d get her revenge. If there was any evidence hidden in the photos they’d received from the stalker, she’d find it. Nic had sent her the latest one, and as soon as she got a chance, she’d examine it. Maybe something in the photo would prove her suspicions about Vivian right or wrong.
And if it was Vivian? God help us, God help us all.
Nic stood by the window and eased the curtain aside to watch Lauren leave. As if sensing his presence, she turned and looked up. He let the curtain drop back into place. After waiting a few seconds, he edged the curtain out of the way again. He didn’t want to miss seeing her for what might be the last time.
Inch by agonizing inch, he leaned over until she came into view. The sight below iced his blood, freezing him in place. Lauren lurched and fell against the car, gripping her stomach. Was she hurt? Jesus Christ! Had the stalker shot her?
Shaking off the paralysis, he whirled and started running for the door. Kaden stepped in front of him, blocking his path. “Let her go, man.”
Nic glared at his bodyguard. “She’s hurt! I have to help her.” He tried to shove his way past, but Kaden refused to budge. What the fuck was his problem? Anger roared through him. “If you don’t get out of my fucking way right fucking now, this is going to get fucking ugly.”
“It’ll only make things worse if you go down there.”
“What the fuck are you talking about? I can’t leave her to bleed to death in the street like a dog. I love her!” He was shouting now, but he didn’t give a shit. If Kaden wouldn’t let him get to the door, he’d jump out the goddamn window.
Kaden gripped his shoulders. “Listen, man. Lauren’s not hurt. At least not the way you think.”
“But I saw her fall.”
“Out of grief.” Kaden patted his arms and released him. Nic reeled as understanding hit. He stumbled to the couch. How were they going to make it through this? Seeing her fall like that had nearly killed him. He shouldn’t have pushed her to leave. But… she’d decided to leave even before he’d brought it up. So, why was leaving him hurting her so much? Why was it hurting her as much as it hurt him?
Because she hadn’t wanted to leave.
He had to make this right. He had to get the stalker out of their lives. One way or another, by Sunday he’d end it.
Fired up, he raced to his bedroom, Kaden close on his heels. He considered the angle of the photo the bitch stalker had sent of Lauren and him. Eyes up, he examined the ceiling.
“What are you looking for?”
“The stalker hid a camera here.”
Shock colored Kaden’s features. “Really? How do you know?”
“The bitch sent me a photo. It was taken here.”
“Can I see it?”
Nic’s head flew around and he practically growled. “No fucking way.”
Kaden held up his hands. “Okay, man. Just asking.”
Christ. He was the world’s biggest shithead. Of course Kaden would ask to see the photo. He had no way of knowing Nic would have to kill him if he ever saw Lauren that way. Nic shook his head and purposely softened his expression. “It’s personal.”
“Enough said.”
“The camera should be positioned high on the wall or on the ceiling.” Their eyes locked. Nic grinned, though it probably looked more like a grimace. “Let’s tear this place apart.”
“Wait,” Kaden said. “Do you have a flashlight?”
Nic grabbed one from the nightstand drawer and handed it to Kaden.
“Perfect.” Kaden hit the lights. “Get the blinds, will you?”
Nic lowered the blinds, plunging the room into darkness. “What now?”
Kaden aimed the beam at the ceiling light fixture. “We look for hiding spots. The camera lens will reflect the light.”
Nic ran to his office and grabbed the extra flashlight he kept in his desk. When he returned, Kaden had finished with the ceiling light and was working his way along one wall. Nic started searching the opposite side of the room. He pulled down every picture and painting, examining every inch. Then he ran the light along the edge of the ceiling. That’s when he spied a tiny glimmer, no more than a speck of light, at the junction of the wall and the crown molding. “I’ve got something!” He climbed onto the dresser to get a closer look.
Kaden pushed a nightstand against the wall and joined him. He leaned in with his flashlight. “Aye, thar she be,” he said in an overblown pirate voice. Nic laughed. Kaden was going to get rich off him, but it wouldn’t be for his acting skills.
After a moment, Nic’s laughter died, and the truth of the discovery hit him. The stalker wasn’t just sending him messages and tracking him through his phone. She was spying on him, in his home. This bitch, whoever she was, had watched him in the most private of places, doing the most private of things with Lauren. Nic barely held himself back from punching a hole in the wall to rip the fucking camera out.
Wordlessly, he signaled to Kaden to move into the hall and closed the door behind them. “You have no idea how much I want to destroy that thing, but after the comment Becker made about leaving the detecting to the detectives….”
“I feel you, man. But it’s better this way. The LAPD has camera detectors. If there are more hidden around the loft, they’ll find them.”
“More? Christ, I hadn’t even thought of that. The bitch has probably been getting her jollies watching me shower.” Nic’s cheeks heated, from anger or embarrassment, he wasn’t sure. Kaden rubbed his mouth, trying to smother a smile.
Under other circumstances, Nic might have gotten a kick out of the situation, too. But Lauren had been in that fucking shower. And there was nothing funny about that. The stalker had video footage. What if she posted everything on the Internet? His hands itched with th
e desire to tear the place apart, until not a single wall remained untouched, until he’d located and destroyed every last camera.
Nic pulled out his cell phone and called Detective Anderson. “This is Nic Lamoureux. The stalker planted cameras in my loft.”
“Did you touch anything?”
“No.”
“We’ll be right over with the tech crew.”
Nic hung up. “They’re on their way.”
Kaden arched a brow. “And once they’re done, then what? The safety and security of the loft has been compromised.”
Nic nodded. He couldn’t stay here and didn’t want to. Lauren had stayed here with him only one short week, but he felt her presence in every room. Even worse, he now felt the stalker’s presence in every dark corner, every shadow. A shudder flashed up his spine. He never wanted to set foot in this place again.
He had to get up to Montréal and make sure the ranch was still secure, that it hadn’t also been violated by the stalker. And he had to talk to Rachel, let her know he might not be able to pay the blackmail, that their secret might be made public. She’d already suffered so much because of him, and now she might have to share in his humiliation. If she kicked him out of the house, he’d deserve it.
Rubbing his neck, he breathed out a long sigh. His whole fucking life was crumbling—Lauren gone, his career threatened, the sanctity of his home annihilated. The stalker had invaded every aspect of his world and destroyed it.
When Lauren left, she’d taken every hope of happiness with her. Maybe after spending some time on the ranch, the pain of losing Lauren would ease. It was the only place on earth he could breathe, where he could relax and be himself.
Nic’s shoulders sagged. Who was he kidding? He’d never get over losing Lauren.
“What now?” Kaden asked again.
Nic met his bodyguard’s solid, reassuring gaze. He might have lost the woman he would love for the rest of his life, but he would make sure she was safe, wherever she was.
A plan formed in his mind.
He squared his shoulders and thumped Kaden on the back. “Now, we go home.”
