Page 82 of Blackmailing the Bad Girl

“Shit, crap.” What the hell was he supposed to? “Phone up the police station. Say there’s a bomb.”

“No, you need to get down there.”

“Won’t it be too late?”

“Let’s just say Regan has contacts within the force. We’ve employed a little delaying mechanism, but who knows how long it will last.”

“Let’s move then.” He pressed the button on his desk. “Tell Paul to have the car waiting.” He stood up, at the last minute grabbing the affidavit Trenton had signed, exonerating Summer of all wrongdoing.

He led the way out, his posse behind him. In the elevator, Darcy studied him. “On the drive there, you’d better come up with some idea of how to convince Summer you’re worthy of her love.”

“Because she does love you,” Regan continued. “We’re just not sure she likes you enough to see past what you are.”

Harry snickered. He was obviously having so much fun.

But they were right. He still had to somehow get past her very genuine and deep-rooted dislike of rich people. He was asking her to become one of the enemy. How the hell was he supposed to persuade her he was the right man for her? That he could make her happy?

“Have you got a piece of paper?” he asked Harry. Harry handed him one, followed by a pen, before he could ask.

He thought for a moment, scribbled something down, keeping it simple. Then he signed it and passed it to Darcy. “Can you witness this?” he asked.

She read it, her eyes widening. But she wrote her name and handed the paper to Regan, who spluttered but added her name to the bottom, as well.

“Let’s hope it’s enough, rich boy.”

“Soon to be poor boy,” Darcy added.

It appeared they were expecting him at the police station. No one asked him his name or his business. A uniformed officer led him through a door, down a corridor. He tapped on another door, pushed it open. “Go ahead, sir, and good luck.”

…

The sound of the door clicking open woke her, and Summer raised her head.

Something was happening. At the last moment, she wanted out of there. Wanted to say she’d made a mistake and run until she found Nik.

Then she looked up and straight into his eyes.

She didn’t have to run anywhere. He’d come for her. Somehow.

For a second, all her fears fell away. For one sublime moment, all that mattered was that he was here. Then reality crashed in. “What are you doing here?”

Nik took a step into the room, and the door closed behind him. “I’ve come to ask you to marry me.”

She shook her head. “Say that again.”

“Will you marry me, Summer Delaney?”

“What? Why?” Nothing was making sense.

“I’m sorry I don’t have a ring. We can go pick one together when we get out of here. But in the meantime, please say yes.”

“I can’t.” She stood up straight. “I’m going to prison, and I can’t ask you to wait.”

“No, you’re not, but if you were, I’d wait forever.” He shrugged, took a step closer. “Maybe they’d allow us conjugal visits. But it’s not going to happen.” He held out a piece of paper. She took it and glanced down. Read it once. Then again. “Is this for real?”

He nodded. “He’ll never come after you. He’ll never come after anyone, and he’ll pay for what he has done.”

“I’m safe?”

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