by Kierra Quinn
Also, she got an email from her lawyer. It seemed that last email from her psycho ex hadn’t only been a rant about her Facebook posts, but also included a picture of her and Conner kissing outside her building. She was glad she hadn’t seen that. Her lawyer said he would keep that for evidence if she wanted to file a restraining order.
Jessica opened her door and dropped her suitcase. She’d taken it with her yesterday when Ahmed called, expecting to spend the night. Her fingers reached for the light switch when she realized it was already on. Weird. She was sure she turned it off before she left, but maybe she forgot. Or maybe her ex got into her apartment again. She snorted. Yeah, right. She was just being paranoid.
She threw the lock and dropped her keys in a bowl by the door, walking into the living room. Jessica froze. There was a man sitting on the couch.
Rick. The psycho ex himself.
Somehow, she wasn’t surprised. If it had been anyone else, she would have run screaming from the building, but Rick she was halfway expecting. She just stood there staring at him.
When she found her words, she finally spoke. “How’d you get into my apartment?”
“What the hell did you do to your hair?” he snarled, and Jessica smiled. It was exactly the reaction she wanted out of him. She made sure she tossed her head back so he could see the rose color.
“Like it?” she asked playfully. A little too playfully. She saw fire in his eyes. “Seriously, how did you get into my apartment?”
“We’re married. It’s my apartment too,” he spat.
“That’s bull, and you know it.”
“I went to the housing office at the embassy, and they gave me a key.” He shrugged. “Guess they didn’t get a copy of the divorce papers.”
More likely Rick showed his State Department badge and slipped the guy a fifty.
Jessica sat in a chair across from him and rubbed her temples. “You need to leave.”
Rick leaned forward. “I won’t.”
“You will, or I will call the police.”
“Like the police here in Egypt care about a woman. Especially one disobeying her husband. I want us to get back together.”
Jessica let out a snort. “I don’t.”
Hurt crossed his face. “Why?”
“Because you are a controlling, cheating asshole.”
He nodded for a second. “Yeah, probably, but we were married. Doesn’t that mean something to you?”
“That’s all you have to say? No promises to change?”
He shrugged. “I could, but it would be a lie, and you know it. Jess, you belong to me. How could you walk away?”
“I don’t belong to you or to anyone. I belong to myself.” Jessica’s voice shook with anger. How dare he lay claim to her? Conner had taught her nothing if not that she was her own woman. “Why wasn’t I good enough for you? Why did you need to see Tara too?”
She already knew his answer. Jessica had already moved so far past him. At this point it didn’t matter what he said. Except that there was some small dark part of her that needed to know, that couldn’t walk away from this conversation.
“Jessica, sweetheart, I’m a man with big appetites. I can’t be satisfied by only one woman. Now, I’m willing to look past what you did to your beautiful hair. It’ll grow out. Be a good girl and come home.” Rick reached across the coffee table for her hand.
Jessica shook her head. There was no way she’d be safe in her apartment tonight. Even if he left, he could always get back in, and she risked him hurting her. Tomorrow, she’d have her lawyer call the housing department and put an end to this mess. Get her a new apartment that Rick had no access to and a restraining order on him if she had to. Until then, she was going to stay with Conner.
She stood up and without a word, headed back the way she came in. She grabbed her already packed bag and opened the door. She pushed the elevator button, but it didn’t come fast enough.
“Where are you going?” Rick was right behind her.
“Away from you. I don’t want to see you ever again. From now on, our lawyers will talk to each other. Go away, Rick.”
The elevator arrived, and he got on with her.
“You’re not leaving me. Didn’t you hear a word I said?”
“Yes. Look, you cheated on me for a very long time, and you aren’t even apologetic about it. Quite frankly, your behavior is disturbing. You’ve had me followed. Pictures taken of me. Broken into my apartment on several occasions.”
“If I apologize, will you come back?”
“You don’t get it. I’m going to sue you for harassment.”
Outside, she looked for the nearest cab and flagged it down. For once, she wished she hadn’t sent Ahmed on with Conner that morning. In the cab, Jessica tried to shut the door, but Rick jammed his hand inside and pried the door open. He climbed in after her. She couldn’t speak enough Arabic to explain to the cabbie that she didn’t want him in the car with her.
Instead, she slid all way over to the door, gave the cabbie the street name, and put her suitcase in between her and Rick. Her palms were clammy, and her mind was racing. He could really hurt her, but Conner could protect her. She didn’t know where else to turn. Tracking down a regional security officer would take too long, and the Egyptian police would probably give her right back to Rick.
She pulled out her phone and sent a quick text.
On my way to your place. Meet me outside. In trouble. Can’t explain.
“You know there are laws here in Egypt. They favor men. I could have you arrested for leaving me.”
“Lucky for me, neither you nor I are Egyptian. Look, Rick, what exactly did you think would happen today?”
“I dunno. But I’m not going to bed tonight without you with me. Even if I have to force you.”
“You’re insane.”
They pulled up to Conner’s building, and Jessica sighed a breath of relief. Conner stood out there surrounded by several boabs and Ahmed. He took her “in trouble” literally.
She handed the cabbie ten pounds and opened the door without looking for traffic. The cabbie yelled at her, but she didn’t care. The car that was behind them swerved to miss her door. She yanked her suitcase out with her and raced around the car to Conner. She threw herself in his arms, feeling safe for the first time since she’d found Rick in her apartment.
“You okay?” he whispered in her ear. She shook her head no.
A hand curled around her bicep and yanked her away from Conner. Her ankle gave out, and she went down on the concrete skinning her knee.
Ahmed stepped forward and wrested her arm out of Rick’s grasp. He put his hand in the middle of Rick’s chest and pushed him hard, almost into traffic. Conner knelt down and gathered Jessica in his arms.
“What the hell do you think you are doing?” Rick shouted. He tried to shove his way past Ahmed. That wasn’t working for him. Ahmed towered over him. “Get your hands off my wife.”
Her eyes dropped. This couldn’t be any more humiliating. If she didn’t truly hate Rick before, putting her through this in front of Conner would certainly do it.
“Here, babe.” Conner wrapped his arm around her waist and helped Jessica back to her feet. She felt a little stronger, more in control once she was upright again.
“I told you, Rick. I never want to see you.…”
“I heard you, and I told you that I wasn’t leaving here without you.” Rick looked up at Ahmed and poked him in the chest “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be taking my wife home.”
Ahmed looked back at Conner.
“Do you mind if I have a word with him?” Conner tucked a chunk of her hair behind her ear.
“You’re asking me?” Her mouth fell open. Was he really asking for permission?
“I thought maybe I should before I break his nose. In case you want to be the one to do it.” Conner smiled, but it was tight and didn’t reach his eyes.
Jessica didn’t know what to say.
“I do love wh
en I can leave you speechless.”
Conner left her side, and Ahmed replaced him.
Rick raised his head high, but he was still a good six inches shorter than Conner. Jessica had never realized what a small man Rick was.
“Listen,” said Rick with his chest puffed out. “I wouldn’t come into your house and steal your woman, so I’d appreciate if you’d do the same for me.”
Conner let out a short laugh. “You know, your divorce is final. Very final. She’s not your wife anymore. That beautiful woman is not a thing to be owned. She is a lovely person who finally understood that she could do better than you and has moved on. You lost. Go home.”
Rick’s face turned several shades of red. His hands curled into fists.
“Then I guess she needs to be reminded of what she’s missing because she obviously forgot.”
Conner smirked. “No, she doesn’t.” Then he drew back and punched Rick right in the nose. Rick screamed and doubled over. Blood exploded from his face as his hands flew up.
Ahmed handed Conner a handkerchief.
“That felt pretty good,” he said.
Conner took her hand, and she grabbed her suitcase. He spoke in rapid Arabic to the boabs, and they descended on Rick.
Only once they were in the elevator did Jessica relax. She melted into Conner’s arms and tried not to cry. She wondered what she would’ve done if Conner hadn’t been here tonight. She’d probably would’ve been on her way back to Russia in the morning.
Conner seethed. He wasn’t entirely sure he wouldn’t call the Russian mafia once that bastard was back in Moscow. For Jessica to not even be safe in her own apartment was too much for him. She was definitely staying the night. Hopefully that ex of hers got on the next flight back first thing in the morning. Conner sent Ahmed over to Jessica’s to watch her place, in case Rick decided it would be a good idea to go back there.
He set her down on the couch and got her a glass of wine. She took it with shaking hands.
“Are you okay?”
She shook her head. Octo climbed up on the couch and curled up next to her. She put her hand on his head.
“You’re staying here tonight. You know that, right?” He thought it crazy to ask, but he wanted to make sure she understood she wasn’t leaving his sight.
“I know, thank you. I’ll stay tonight and figure things out tomorrow.”
“Jessica, you can stay all week if you want. I’m going out of town for work on Tuesday, but I’ll be back Friday afternoon.”
“Thank you, but I’d prefer to stay at my own place. I’ll have my attorney take care of the housing office. My shipment is supposed to come in anyway, and I’ve been waiting so long to unpack.”
“I thought I was supposed to help you with that.”
She grinned. “I don’t know how you plan on doing that if you are going out of town. Where are you going anyway?”
“Dubai. You want to come?”
“Dubai, huh? I’d love to, but I have that thing called a job.”
“Too bad your job doesn’t send you to cool places like Dubai.” He was trying his best to distract her from Rick and what happened at her apartment.
“Yeah, it only sends me to cool places like Moscow and Cairo.”
“True.” He scooted closer to her and slid his hand up her thigh. Her eyes widened. He wasn’t sure what he was going for, but he wanted to be close to her.
“Conner, I—” she began, but he interrupted her.
“I have no expectations tonight. I just want to hold and comfort you. My hand just landed in the wrong spot.”
She blushed, but laid her head on his shoulder. He tactfully slid his arm from her thigh up her back and around her shoulders.
“I was curious about your day. Before I found him in my apartment.”
“Ah, you mean did I get fired for nearly beating up the boss’s drunk son?” Conner snorted. He kicked off his shoes and propped his feet up on the coffee table. She did the same.
“I did not, but I am being sent to Dubai to speak with a new division head. Instead of drilling, looks like the head of Land Procurement has expressed some interest in having me on his team.” Conner sighed. He didn’t know much about George Turner, but a couple of his frat brothers were pretty good with real estate. At least he could pick up a few pointers.
“Would you move to Dubai?” Jessica snapped her head up.
“Would you miss me?” Conner couldn’t resist teasing her a little.
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.” He kissed her nose.
“Conner.” She swatted him on the shoulder.
“No, I’m not leaving Egypt. I explained that to George on the phone today. I’d run things in the office for him here while he was out in the field. I guess. I don’t really know all the ins and outs of it yet.”
Jessica melted into his side once more.
“I couldn’t leave. I just got this transfer and have to be here for a while,” she said.
“We could always go back to the whole ‘quit and live with me’ idea. We didn’t really give that much thought.”
“Conner,” she warned again.
“I know, I know. Too fast.” He smiled and kissed the top of her head. However, it didn’t mean he was ever going to stop asking.
The next morning Jessica wanted to go straight to the housing office, but she checked her calendar and saw she had an eight o’clock appointment. Normally her appointments weren’t scheduled until after ten. That gave her the morning to take care of paperwork, and it usually meant she didn’t have to rush to get to work on time. It was a good thing she checked her calendar.
She sent off a quick email to her lawyer asking for help and hurried into her office. Conner had left for work long before her.
“Good morning, Miss, your appointment is waiting for you in your office.”
“Dammit, really? It’s fifteen minutes early.”
Her secretary shrugged.
She raced into the office and found her client sitting not in the chair across from her desk, but at her computer.
Rick looked up. “Jessica, so nice to see you.”
His nose was taped up, and his left eye was black and swollen. Ahmed and the boabs had gotten more than a few hits in themselves.
She didn’t even give him a response. She turned on her heel and escaped out of the office. She shut the door and thought for a few seconds. She didn’t have long before he’d come after her. What she needed was another professional opinion. Someone who would go to bat for her.
She approached her secretary. “Is Dr. Michaels in his office?”
“Yes, Miss.”
“Does he have a client?”
“No, Miss.”
She poked her head into Dr. Michael’s office. “You busy?”
He shook his head. “How can I help you?”
“I don’t have much time to explain, but my crazy ex-husband is waiting in my office. He’s throwing around his weight to get keys to my apartment and priority appointments. Would you be willing to do a session with the both of us? Best case scenario, you can convince him that I’m not going back to Russia with him. Worst case, you can attest to the fact that he is crazy and sign an affidavit for me for a restraining order case.”
Dr. Michael’s eyes were wide, but he nodded. “Sure. This should be interesting.”
He followed her back into her office.
Jessica introduced him to Rick, who was still sitting at her computer doing who knows what. She hoped he wasn’t downloading porn or something to get her in trouble. She wouldn’t put it past him.
“Rick, Dr. Michaels agreed to do a counseling session with us.”
Rick jumped up. “Really? You mean you’ve come to your senses? Finally.”
She waited for Rick to find a seat so she could sit as far away from him as possible. He chose the couch so she picked another chair. Dr. Michaels sat at her desk. He raised his eyebrows at whatever was on the screen and turned off the monitor. Dam
n Rick. At least Dr. Michaels would back her up for whatever damage Rick just did.
“Rick, why don’t you tell me why you and Jessica got divorced in the first place.”
Rick grinned at her. “The Russian winters were too hard for Jessica. She had a mental break and requested a transfer to a warmer climate. We talked about just flying back and forth at least one weekend a month. I was crushed when the divorce papers arrived.”
Jessica rolled her eyes. “Oh, yeah and the divorce papers had nothing to do with the fact that you were sleeping with my partner.”
Dr. Michaels stayed cool. “Is this true, Rick? Were you sleeping with her partner?”
She fully expected Rick to lie. She was surprised as hell when he admitted it. “Of course I was. But that doesn’t mean we should get divorced.”
Jessica decided to keep her mouth shut. Rick would hang himself.
“Have you stopped sleeping with her partner?”
Rick shook his head. “No. I don’t see any reason to.”
Dr. Michaels pursed his lips. “Because of the divorce?”
“No, because I have an unusually high sex drive. Jessica can’t take care of all of my needs on her own. She needs a little help.” Rick looked pretty well satisfied with that answer.
“Tell me, do you want to save your marriage?”
“Yeah, but I don’t see what saving my marriage has to do with Tara. Tara and I had a long talk about it, and she’s fine with me being married as long as I spend weekends with her.”
Dr. Michaels looked like he didn’t know quite how to respond. “You do realize that being married means you can’t be unfaithful.”
“I know. Which is why I’m mad as hell that Jessica is sleeping with that oil guy who did this.” Rick gestured at his busted up face. “She needs to come back to Russia with me so I can keep an eye on her.”
Jessica felt she needed to make sure her name was clear. “Just for the record, I met Conner after our divorce was final.”
Dr. Michaels nodded. “Noted. Rick, you do understand that you are being unfaithful when you sleep with Tara.”
