Page 17 of Blackmailing the Bad Girl

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. Sheneededto 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 aBon 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.”

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