Ava gripped her arm. “Hey, before you leave. Have you spoken with Tess?”
“Not since before I left.” She shook her head. “Why?”
“About a week ago, she left an urgent message asking I return her call. I’ve tried, but her phone goes straight to voicemail.”
Meghan chewed her lower lip as she seemed to mull over a thought. “Have you texted her?”
“Yes, and no response.”
“Early last week, she said something about going out of town with that group she’s a part of.”
“The reseller’s club?”
“Yeah, them. Let’s see if she’s posting online.” Meghan lifted her phone and opened an app. Within seconds, Tess’ social media page filled the screen. Ava looked over Meghan’s shoulder, as her thumb scrolled upward. “She’s with Scott.”
“How do you know?” asked Ava, she avoided social media at all cost. After her nightmare with Phillip Ramsey, she had no desire to resume her online presence.
“Because of this picture.” She pointed to an image of Tess and Scott. They stood beside each other with Scott’s arm around Tess’ shoulder. She didn’t look happy. “She just posted it yesterday.”
“I thought they had broken up after he lost his job.”
“He called her two weeks ago. I guess they’re working it out.” She slid her phone into her back pocket. “He received a job offer from a police department in another county.”
“That doesn’t explain why she’s not answering her phone.”
“Maybe it died. I’ll shoot her a text. If I don’t hear from her, I’ll stop by her house.”
“Thanks.” She hugged her friend. “It was good seeing you.”
“I’ll do as you suggested and talk to Chase.”
“And I’ll plant a bug in Justin’s ear. I’m sure he can talk him into moving you out here.”
The women shared a mischievous grin before heading inside.
Chapter Nine
Ava stared at the clock on the bedside table. Her mind ran through her mental to-do list. After running through the top five tasks, she turned over on the bed.
“Morning, beautiful.” Justin sat with his pillows braced against the headboard. His eyes studied his phone.
“Have you been up long?”
“No. Becky texted progression pictures of the lakeside property.” He handed his phone to Ava.
She sat up in the bed and scrolled through the images. They were pictures of a typical construction site. A multi-level building with metal beams surrounded by forklifts and cranes. “It’s taken forever to get to this point. So many setbacks.” She handed him back his phone.
“We’re on track for opening next Spring.”
“I didn’t consider the resort opening.” She frowned. “Between that and the trial we’ll never have the perfect time for a wedding.”
“Let’s take one obstacle at a time. Once the trial is over, we’ll sit down and take a serious look at both our calendars.”
“Sounds good. Did you have fun last night?” she asked.
“Yeah, it was good seeing Chase and Meg.”
“We deserve a pat on the back because they’re perfect together.”
“Chase is really into her, so much so, he’s thinking considering relocating to Atlanta,” said Justin.
“Really? I wasn’t aware.” She was happy he brought up Chase’s move. Therefore, she didn’t have to think of a way to slide it into the conversation.
He nodded his head. “Yup. I couldn’t believe it when he mentioned it last night.”
“Why?”
“Because they haven’t been together long.”
Ava shot him an are you kidding look. “If I recall, you asked me to move from Georgia to California, and we hadn’t dated that long, either.”
He threw his hand in the air and smirked. “Touché.”
“Has he told Meghan?”
“He didn’t say.”
She moved from underneath the comforter and inched closer to him. “Speaking as her friend, I believe Meghan should move out here. For one, we’ll both have our closest friends nearby.”
Justin nodded his head.
“Two, we can go on double dates.” She straddled his lap and faced him. “And Three, the four of us can vacation together.”
Justin smiled. “You’re a slick one.”
She returned his smile. “What do you mean?”
“I know you well, Mrs. Harrington. You already knew about Chase’s plans, didn’t you?”
Her lips twisted into a proud smirk. “I did. Meghan told me last night.”
He enclosed his arms around her waist and pulled her close. His lips grazed her neck. “Would you like me to talk Chase out of moving?”
“Yes!” she blurted.
“Is that what Meg wants?”
“She prefers to be here with us.”
“He doesn’t seem too committed to the idea. Leaving room to nudge him your way.”
She kissed his lips. “Thank you.”
“Not a problem.” He tapped her bottom. “Coffee?”
She rolled off to the side. “Yes, please.”
After Justin left the room, Ava snatched her phone off the dresser to text Meghan.
Operation to change Chase’s mind is in full effect. She was about to turn her phone off when she noticed a message from Tess.
Sorry phone died, had to buy another charger. Scott and I rented a cabin in the mountains. Talk to you next week.
Mountains? Tess hates the mountains. Ava shook her head and placed her phone back on the dresser. She couldn’t fault her for doing whatever was necessary to get her relationship back on track.
Ava slid open the glass doors in the bedroom that led to the balcony. One aspect of the house she loved was each bedroom that faced the Pacific had its own balcony. The morning cool breeze hit her the moment she stepped out. She gazed out onto the beach. Her eyes landed on an elderly couple holding hands as they walked. She smiled and hoped one day that would be Justin and her. Ava’s eyes then followed a young woman as she ran from the east end of the beach to the west. Her smile faded, and her heart fastened as her eyes landed on a man in the distance. The image was clear, not hindered by darkness. “Justin!” she yelled. Her eyes didn’t move away from the man who watched her. “Justin!” she screamed.
“What?!” He ran into the room.
“Brandon!” She turned to face Justin while pointing out towards the beach.
“Where?” He stepped out onto the balcony.
She continued to point out into the distance. “Over there!” Tears formed in her eyes.
“Babe, I don’t see anyone.”
She wiped her eyes and moved beside him. Her eyes scanned the entire beach within the near distance. “I swear he was just there, watching me.”
Justin turned towards her with doubt in his eyes, again. He cupped her face. “No one is there.”
“I saw him.” Her voice cracked as more tears streamed down her cheek.
“I’m not minimizing what you believed you saw, but this is the second time in a matter of days.”
“I know, but it was him, Justin.”
He exhaled a deep breath. “The last time you thought you saw Brandon we viewed the security footage later that night, because you couldn’t let it go. What did we find?”
“Nothing. The car sat too far away for a clear shot, but I know what I saw.”
Justin wiped beneath her eyes with his fingers and pulled her into an embrace. She laid her head on his chest, feeling safe in his arms. He stroked her back before pulling away. “I have to go pick up dad. I don’t feel comfortable leaving you. Would you like to ride out together?”
She nodded her head. “Okay.” The feeling had become all too familiar. It was the same fear she had when Phillip Ramsey made terrorizing her his hobby. “Can you call?”
“Call who?”
“The DA. Can you verify Brandon hadn’t made bail?”
“It’s Sunday. I
doubt if I’ll get in touch with anyone.”
“Leave a message. Please, do it for my peace of mind.”
“If it’ll make you feel better.”
“It will.”
She sat on the edge of the bed and played with the hem of her tank top while Justin made the call. Her leg twitched, her mind raced, and the tears refused to cease falling.
“I should hear from someone by tomorrow.” He sat beside her. “I have an idea.”
“What?” She turned to him, ready to hear his grand plan.
“If it’ll help you feel safer, I can have someone watch over you and accompany you wherever you go.”
“Like a bodyguard?”
“Yes. My family has a private security firm that’s worked for us for years.”
“I wouldn’t feel comfortable having someone following me around.”
He gave her a peck on the cheek before standing. “Just think about it. I’ll give you time to get dressed and then we’ll leave.”
She reached for his hand. “Stay with me while I dress.”
“If that’s what you need, I won’t let you out of my sight.”
Chapter Ten
The slam of the front door startled Lindsey. She jumped off the bed. Brandon met her in her doorway. His handsome face was red, jaw tight, and his hand in a firm fist. “You’ve been gone since yesterday. Where have you been?” she asked. She stood close enough that his heavy breath brush across her face.
“I had to see her.” He avoided her eyes.
“Ava?”
“What does she see in that prick? She’s all over him. Hugging, kissing, smiling at him. He doesn’t deserve her.”
“Did they see you?” She hoped he hadn’t destroyed their progress.
He brushed past her and entered her bedroom. “I need to get her alone. Then I can hold her in my arms and explain I never meant to hurt her.”
The pain in his eyes resonated with her. It’s the same pain she felt from Chris’ rejection. She gripped his wrist to halt his pace. His eyes moved toward her hand and then up at her face. He paused and forced her against the wall with his free hand. “What do you want, princess?” he muttered in her ear.
Lindsey licked her lips, unsure of how to answer. Her eyes met his. She flinched as his hand moved underneath her shirt and up towards her breast. No bra, just a thin cotton shirt between them. His hand hovered her ample breast. “Is this what you want?” His fiery breath in her ear. Lindsey froze, and her breaths quickened. Brandon’s fingers squeezed and flicked her nipple.
“I’ll ask one more time. What do you want?”
She smashed her lips into his, but he pushed her away. Instead, he lifted her shirt. His hungry mouth licked and sucked her breast. Her insides ached, and she wanted more.
Brandon pulled away. His lips were red and swollen.
Lindsey lifted her shirt over her head and pulled her shorts to her ankle. She laid on the bed, waiting for him to join her. His narrowed eyes were hard to read. She hoped he would finish what he started. Her eyes followed his hands as he unbuckled his belt and unzipped his pants. She didn’t mind when he flipped her over and position her on her knees. He remained silent as he pounded his cock inside of her from behind. There wasn’t anything sensual about it. Just a sexual release. Lindsey moaned and savored every moment. After four additional thrusts, Brandon pulled out. Lindsey rolled onto her back and watched him grabbed a tissue from her nightstand to wipe himself. He pulled up his pants. “You can’t replace her. So, quit trying.” He fastened his belt buckle.
Lindsey glared before giving him a nasty eye roll. “I have no desire to replace your precious Ava.” She snatched her clothes off the floor.
He inched closer to her. “I need one thing from you and that’s to get that asshole away from her.”
Lindsey slipped on her shirt. His attitude had become a major annoyance. If it weren’t for her, he would be behind bars eating slop for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
“Listen, we both have a major stake in this.” She approached him with her finger in his face. “I risked everything to bail your ass out of jail. You’re staying in my house, eating my food, and driving a car you could never afford on a cop’s salary, even if you saved your entire lifetime.”
His hand nudged her finger from his face. “Your point?”
“We both have plenty to lose if this doesn’t go the way we planned. You need to chill with the stalking and give me time to get Justin out of the way. Then you will have access to Ava. All I need is one week.”
“You said it would take longer. What changed?”
“Details aren’t important. Just be ready in a week.”
Chapter Eleven
Yesterday, after Ava and Justin brought his father to their house, she spent the entire day distant and scared. Too afraid to tell him the familiar feelings she had worked hard to get over had re-emerged. She avoided the outdoors or being near any window in case Brandon or who she thought was Brandon reappeared.
This morning, Justin prepared for work, and she stayed home with Chris. Because his schedule was busier, they agreed she would work from home this week. Ava showered and ventured down into the quiet house. She entered the kitchen, only to find Chris scooting towards the refrigerator doors with his walker. Unfortunately, he’s had a setback with his recovery. He no longer used a cane, but now required a walker to get around “I can help with what you need, Mr. Harrington!” she blurted.
He whipped his head around. “Enough of the Mr. Harrington. I asked you long ago to call me Chris.”
“Sorry, it’s a habit. Do you need help with something?”
“I’m in search of creamer for my morning coffee.”
Ava pulled the chair away from the kitchen table. “Sit. I’ll make it for you. I’m sort of an expert.”
Chris made his way to the table while Ava held the chair for him. She then prepared two mugs of coffee. She placed one in front of him and took her seat at the glass table.
“I didn’t see much of you yesterday,” he said, bringing the mug to his lips with ease. His upper motor skills had rehabilitated much faster than his lower half.
She frowned and lowered her gaze.
“Were you under the weather? I asked Justin about you, but he didn’t answer. He shrugged it off and changed the subject.”
“I’m fine.” She sipped her French vanilla brew.
Chris placed his mug down and looked towards her with sorrow in his eyes. “Do I still make you uncomfortable?”
She shook her head. “No, why?”
“Because of how I treated you.” He expelled a heavy breath. “It’s one-hundred percent my fault we had a rocky start.”
Ava tried not to think of the ugliness that transpired when they met. “We moved beyond that, Chris.”
“We have, but it still happened. I’ll once again apologize for the horrendous way I treated you. You are a wonderful young woman, and I’m proud to have you as my daughter.”
Ava smiled. “Daughter?”
“That’s what you are.” He grinned. “Now, I don’t expect you to view me as a confidante? But if something is troubling you, I can try to help.”
“I’m sure Justin has told you about the upcoming trial.”
“He has. Is that what’s bothering you?”
“It’s been challenging going over my testimony and reliving all the horrible things Brandon did to Justin and me. At first, I thought I was handling it fine. Not well, but just okay. That was until I saw Brandon outside the house.”
Chris brows knitted together. “You mean, you saw someone who favored him?”
“Possibly. The first time, I thought I saw him drive by in a Bentley.” He shot her the same look as Justin. “Before you say anything, I realize how insane that sounds.”
“Somewhat.”
She took a sip of her now lukewarm coffee. “My second sighting was yesterday morning. From the bedroom balcony, I saw a man stare at me from the beach.” Ava shook her head at the
memory. “Justin believes it’s stress and anxiety.”
“And you don’t?”
She shrugged. “I’m sure he’s right. But it’s the possibility that nags at me.”
“Have either of you contacted someone to verify his whereabouts?”
“Justin is awaiting a callback from the DA. He suggested I have security until after the trial.”
“That’s not a bad idea. I doubt if you’re in any danger, but it’ll give you a peace of mind.”
“I won’t feel comfortable having someone hovering around.” Ava placed their near-empty mugs in the sink. She allowed her mind to wonder as she grabbed a towel and wiped down the kitchen counter. She had to get a hold of her emotions and not allow fear to take over.
“Ava, come sit down,” said Chris, gesturing her back to the kitchen table.
She dropped the towel in the sink, washed her hands, and sat facing Chris.
He released a deep breath before he spoke. “Listen, if you consider what Corrine’s ex-husband did to you, what that nut job, Brandon Porter, put you and Justin through, and I must mention the hell I gave you both, it’s incredible you’re still standing. That’s a testament to your strength, and that embodied strength will get you through this next hurdle.”
Her lips formed a smile. “We’ve come a long way, haven’t we?”
“I would say so.” He returned her smile.
“Thanks for listening. Would you like something to eat?”
“I’m sure you have plenty to do. No need to wait on me.”
“And if I don’t, who will? You refuse to allow Corrine to hire twenty-four nursing care.”
He swatted his hand in the air. “They’re all incompetent.”
“I can’t allow you to starve. So, are you hungry?”
“Not at the moment.”
“Well then, I’ll help you to your room and check on you in an hour.”
After Ava assisted Chris to his room, she spent the next several hours on her laptop catching up on work. Her assistant, Kasey, had forwarded the documentation and research on the building’s landlord. So far, the paperwork she reviewed indicated he was financially solvent, but the lease comparisons from nearby properties were an area of concern. JTH’S rent was thirty percent higher than their neighbors.
Conned by You Page 5
