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his athletic shoes and he almost shut his hand in the door of the truck when he noticed the
empty side of the garage. His car was gone.
Did I really think she d walked? He was so mad he could wring her neck.
He shook his head. How could one small, fucking woman get under his skin so
completely to make him want to screw her brains out one minute then strangle her the
next? Damn the hit man, or whoever was after her, he d save them the trouble.
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Then he realized where his thoughts had gone. The blood drained from his head and
nausea rolled his stomach. He didn t mean it. He would never mean it. Elyse was
everything to him. He would never intentionally hurt her not if he could help it.
He sat in his truck with his hands clenched around the steering wheel. The woman
was tearing him apart inside like no other had ever before. What was it about her?
Jack started the truck. It was not the time or place to worry about it. Every minute
she was out of his sight was another minute whoever was after her had a chance.
On the short drive to Elyse s store, Jack tried to work out the angles of the case if
he thought of it as a case, not as Elyse, he could accomplish so much more. What were
the facts? What information did he have that wasn t a guess?
He knew Matthew switched places with his brother when someone killed him
whether he could prove it remained to be seen. Elyse found four million dollars worth of
diamonds in a safe deposit box. Last, he knew someone probably a woman had
attacked Elyse three times now. Once at her home, her parents home and at work, so
they knew her routine pretty well.
The attack didn t necessarily have to be connected to Matthew, but he doubted Elyse
had anyone else after her.
Stopped at a light, Jack tapped his thumb on the steering wheel and rolled scenarios
over in his mind. The key was to figure out how Matthew and the mysterious woman
were connected. Elyse said he d found another woman when they split. From the sounds
of it, even before. It was feasible she was a new girlfriend he d pulled into this.
But attacking someone and shooting at them was far more than just someone
Matthew pulled into his scheme. She must have a lot more at stake. Why else would she
risk so much for Matthew?
Hmm? Was Matthew working for the woman instead of the other way around.
Maybe he screwed up getting Elyse involved. Surely, he wouldn t do something to
intentionally get Elyse stuck in the middle. He must have loved her at some point in the
relationship. He couldn t possibly want her dead.
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Even the thought sent a shiver up his spine. He slammed down on the gas pedal and
sped down the road to get to Elyse when the light turned green. Sweat popped out on his
forehead and his palms grew clammy. A tick started in his right eye and his breathing
burned in his lungs. Bearing down on a late model Cadillac, he swerved into the next lane
and nearly lost control of his truck.
Cursing a blue streak, he slowed his speed and tried to slow his head. If he wasn t
careful, if he couldn t get his mind to stop dwelling on Elyse, he would kill someone or,
at the very least, himself. Where would that leave her?
By the time he pulled into the parking lot of her store, he had his nerves under
control. The front door of the store stood wide open. People filed in and out. Whatever
calm he d acquired evaporated. There was zero protection from someone just walking in
there and taking Elyse out.
He slammed the truck door and marched across the lot. His temper picked up steam
with every step. He walked through the doorway and scanned the area for Elyse. His
stomach tightened when he couldn t find her.
A young woman with jet black hair approached him. May I help you, sir?
I m looking for Elyse.
The woman blanched at his brusque tone. She stared at him for a long moment, then
headed toward the rear of the store. As soon as she disappeared from sight, he followed.
He turned the corner in time to hear her say, & big guy, scar on his mouth, looks
mad as hell.
That would be Jack. Elyse s tone sounded apprehensive.
Who s Jack? the other woman asked.
Elyse groaned. It s a long story. Suffice it to say I am big trouble.
Damn straight you are. Jack burst into the conversation.
Both women jumped and the dark-haired woman squealed.
I told you not to leave. He took several steps into the stock room. Why in the hell
can t you listen to me?
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I told you, Jack, that I have responsibilities. Elyse walked over to him. She
clutched a red sweater to her chest, but didn t look the least bit intimidated by him.
He grabbed her elbow. Come on. We re leaving.
She jerked her arm free and glowered at him. I m not going anywhere. You can stay
here and watch me work, see that I am safe, or you can get the hell out and come back
when I m done.
He stared at her. He couldn t believe she had the nerve to disobey him. No woman
had ever stood up to him before. Not once. He didn t consider himself an ogre, but when
he put his foot down, he expected to be minded.
He locked his eyes on her and a staring contest began. A contest of wills. He wasn t
entirely sure he could win against Elyse.
Sh& should I call the police? a meek voice asked.
The eye contact broke as they both looked to the corner where the other woman
stood with the telephone clenched in white knuckled hands. No, they said in unison.
What s it going to be, Jack?
He lost. And he knew it. He would do just about anything Elyse asked him to. He
didn t care what. As long as he was with her. She was far more than a client. He couldn t
say when it changed. Yes, he had slept with her the night before, but he d slept with
many women and not one could make him back down. But with her, she was in control.
What had he gotten himself into?
I ll stay, he grumbled and shoved his hands in pockets.
Elyse smiled. He s not usually such a jerk, Debbie. She winked at her co-worker.
He had a busy night didn t get much sleep.
He looked up, wide-eyed, at Elyse. He expected to see a blush crawl across her
cheeks, but it never did. She even had the nerve to wink at him, too. He wondered at the
heat that danced up his neck.
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