Page 54 of All Tied Up
“He disobeyed a direct order from the boss. Not Linc,” she said.
I covered my mouth, and my knees buckled. She became a blur as the flood of tears unleashed.
“Why?” I choked out.
Tears glistened in her eyes, and she pursed her lips, as if she, too, was struggling not to fall apart. “Because he wanted to be with you. He was ordered to stay away.”
I shook my head. What had I done? Why would he have been ordered to stay away from me?
“He—” She stopped and inhaled deeply. “He did things for you because he wanted to be with you, and they weren’t handled well. It caused some issues. He was ordered to stay away from you. I can’t …” She shook her head. “I can’t tell you more. I’m sorry.”
The man on the street?
“This is about the man he stabbed? That man was trying to abduct me. He was attacking me!” I was hysterical and realized I was screaming.
“Not that one. They don’t even know about that!” Than shoutedfrom the porch while both men held him there. “The fucker you were enga—”
Forge’s hand slapped over his mouth, stopping whatever else he was about to say.
He was going to sayengaged. This … this was about Arden. I said nothing as I worked through that in my head. What did Arden have to do with this?
“He shouldn’t have said that,” she said. “Don’t repeat it. That information could get you killed.”
Get me killed …
“I don’t understand,” I told her. “Arden was my fiancé, but he left town. What does any of this have to do with him? Someone has the wrong information,” I said vehemently.
Whoever had Ransom needed to know that. I had to tell them.
“No,” she said softly, “they don’t.”
Yes! They did! Why wasn’t she listening to me? I had to tell Linc. Go to Ocala. Someone had to stop them. They didn’t understand.
“I know what happened!” I said, jabbing a finger into my chest. “I have to tell them! Whatever they think, they’re wrong! Help me. Who do I call? Where do I go?” I asked, then sobbed again.
They had to listen to me. Ransom was in trouble, and Than was right. It was all my fault.
Spinning around, I barely had time to grab my hair before the first heave. The coffee I had drunk in the hotel room was all there was in my stomach to expel. Acid burned my throat, and another wave hit me. My chest constricted, and the hot tears continued to course down my face.
I had to save him. I had to get to him.
A hand touched my back gently. I knew it had to be Branwen. If Than had gotten free, he’d have me on the ground, choking the life out of me. And I would let him without a fight.
“He didn’t do anything,” I sobbed out, wrapping my armsaround my waist as I stood back up.
“Yes,” she whispered, “he did. And he admitted it.”
I blinked as I stared out into the parking lot. What? No, Arden had left me a note. Ransom hadn’t done anything.
“Why would he take the blame?” I asked hoarsely.
Branwen’s hand fell from my back, but she didn’t move away. “Arden’s parents sent a PI.” Her words were so quiet that I wouldn’t have been able to hear her if I wasn’t standing so close. She didn’t want the men to know she was telling me anything. “He knew things. It caused issues that had to be cleaned up.” I heard her swallow hard. “Linc begged him to stay away from you or he’d end up—” She stopped. But I knew. She was going to saydead.
I couldn’t live in a world where he didn’t exist.
“What is it they think he did?” I asked helplessly.
“He got rid of your fiancé.”
