Page 30 of Tempt My Heart

His voice had gone cold, colder than usual anyway and she bit the inside of her cheek until she tasted blood before replying.

"It's yours."

"It's blank," he gritted out and she wondered how she had ever found this man attractive.

"Yes. So is your cloud. You don't have anything on me, and I only came here to tell you in person that our business is done. Don't contact me again or I’ll call the police."

She was already half-out of her seat when she stiffened at the sound of his laughter. Dread made it hard to swallow as she looked back at him and the humor faded from his face as he leaned across the sticky vinyl table.

"Sit back down."

She did as he asked and tried not to flinch when he continued to crowd her space.

"I mean, it was a good try, Ali. But you forgot the most crucial thing when it comes to a war like this—know thy enemy."

Under other circumstances she might have laughed at his corniness, but he was being utterly serious. And he was right, she didn't know him. That much was becoming abundantly clear.

"I did my research. You think I don't know who your boss' bestie is? I took precautions, baby."

She flinched at the familiar nickname, hating the memories it conjured and the fact that he'd been able to hurt her with it even after everything.

"You're bluffing," she snapped but the glint of triumph in his eyes left her feeling unsure.

He pulled his phone out of his coat pocket and tapped at the screen for a second before turning it to show her. That was it. The full video.

She knew she was blushing, could feel the hot sting of tears in her eyes as she watched herself on screen, watching him use her as he shot a grin at the camera over her head.

He wasn't bluffing.

"I take it we understand each other?" She nodded and he smiled, eyes alight with a brightness that was almost feverish. Was he on something? "Excellent. Now, Ali. I don't want to hear from you again unless I contact you first. This has been fun and you've amused me, so I won't hurt your mother this time."

The casual way that he spoke about it made acid churn in her stomach. "Leave her out of it."

"That depends entirely on you." He smiled like this was any other pleasant conversation and then stood, licking his lips. "Seeing as I'm here, it would be rude not to get fries, right?"

Jared walked away, his lanky form easily blending into the crowd surrounding the register and for a second she just sat there, her eyes swimming and saliva filling her mouth before she scrambled up and pushed towards the exit.

Christopher and Denver found her in the lot ten minutes later, crouched behind the building and throwing up the bile in her stomach.

The thought that she had let that piece of crap put his hands on her, that he'd been inside of her, smirking up at the camera… She knew he'd betrayed her, obviously, but to see it tossed out there like that made her feel the rush of rage and pain all over again.

Ten scalding hot showers wouldn't have been enough to make her feel clean.

"It's not over, is it." Christopher looked grim, the corner of his mouth tugging down as he ran a hand through his hair.

"No," she managed, "it's not."

"And we just poked the bear."

Christopher shot Denver an irritated look, his jaw clenching and unclenching as he paced in front of them. "Did he say what he wants you to do now?"

The world felt less wavy now that she'd puked up her guts, but she still knew she couldn't go back to work in this state. "No. He just said he would contact me."

"So for now, we wait."

She took a step and staggered slightly and Denver caught her with one warm arm around her waist. He let go quickly and she blinked at how fast he moved. "Is it okay with you if I head home? I promise I'll catch up on my work later."

Christopher, who had been looking at Denver somewhat intently, immediately softened. "Of course. Look, Ali, you're only in this position because of your connection to me. So I'm sorry, and I promise I will do everything I can to fix it. Go home. Rest. Take the rest of the week if you like."

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