Page 79 of Where She Is
He surprises me by stalking right up to my face and screwing his rodent features up so tight as if he might self-combust at any moment. He’s trying to intimidate or scare me and he wins a little when his fingers gently tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. Then he leans further towards me, his lips almost touching my ear, and he whispers each perfectly pronounced word. “I got away with it. I wonder what else I could get away with.”
My intake of breath is visible, which lets me down. Now he knows he’s scaring me. “Oh you poor thing, did you hurt yourself when you fell off your high horse?”
I focus briefly around the office. We’re not on our own, so I’m certain he won’t do anything, although he’s pretty unpredictable. Whatever happens, I refuse to be in a position where I’m constantly watching my back. I don’t want to use my connections, but I may have no choice. Turning away, I put somedistance between us. If I stay too close, I’ll lose my nerve. I straighten my posture and with a smile as false as his; I answer with an equal amount of venom in my voice. “Honestly, Matthew, I’m not one to snitch, but if you ever threaten me again or even attempt to approach or talk to me, I will make sure Peter and Simon have a conversation.” I turn around and poke my finger into his chest on the beat of my every word, “Do. You. Understand? You will be sent home to merry old England on the first flight with a welcome parade provided by the boys in blue. That is a promise.”
He steps back, his hands ball into a tight fist and he rigidly walks away. I think I’m rid of him, but he turns around one last time and delivers the words, “You’re pathetic.”
“I can’t be, Matthew. A pathetic person would let you bully them.”
His shaking head and evil eyes fill me with dread. I hope to God he’s not hellbent on revenge. I’m relying on my threat to keep me safe.
I sit back at my desk and breathe in deeply through my nose while my shaky hands rest on the keyboard. I’ve surprised myself. I’ve never experienced confrontation like that before and although my head was dizzy and a sickness formed in my stomach, I was proud of myself for not letting him overpower me. I was certain one day he would darken my door again, which is why I made the phone call. Once I mentioned Matthew was on my radar, Simon’s warning words were cemented in my brain. “He is dangerous. Stay well clear of him.” What I didn’t expect was his blatant hatred and details of the damage Matthew had caused. He was clever, but he’d only get away with it once. I don’t know if the Grants have the full facts, so I’ll make sure they get them. Every. Single. Detail.
My afternoon has dragged and I’m fidgety after my run-in with Matthew. It shocked me, to say the least.
I desperately want to see Daniel and my thoughts wander his way during the drive home. While Benjamin helps me out of the car, I spot Jack parked up in the Range Rover behind. I’m overjoyed and slightly nervous all at once. Daniel’s here and I try very hard to hide my excitement. The spring in my step and a highly contained smile could give the game away, but it soon fades once I’ve bounced into the house. I hear two voices. Daniel’s and one I’m not familiar with. A woman.
I tentatively walk to the lounge and see him perched on the arm of the sofa and sitting opposite is a beautiful, petite girl. She has a short blonde bob; intensely blue eyes and I recognise her instantly. They both stand as I enter and my vision is drawn to her long legs and tiny waist. The tight fitted pencil dress shows her figure off beautifully. She is stunning.
Daniel strides towards me almost immediately and reaches for my hand. Our four days apart have made no difference as my fingers instinctively lock with his. Our eyes meet and I ignore the fact there is someone else here, because I’ve missed him more than I ever imagined.
“Hannah.”
My stomach flips the way it always does when he says my name. This is a very personal moment for both of us and out of the corner of my eye I note our visitor trying hard to find a focus in the room. We must be uncomfortable to watch so I glance towards her and wait for Daniel to introduce us. He gets my hint and takes both my hands, leading me to her and gently tugging me to sit at his side.
“Hannah, this is Tabitha West.”
I take in the woman who, according to the gossip columns, was trying to rekindle her relationship with my man. I swear to God, if I had loaded my eyes with bullets, she would be dead on the spot where she sat. I remain calm and silent, although myanger at her presence is clear. I focus on Daniel and wait for his explanation as to why she is here.
“Tabitha has something she wants to explain.” He glances over towards her and signals with a slight nod of his head. She stares at her clasped hands before she can look me in the eye, and when she does, her smile is awkward. “First, I’m sorry if you’ve been hurt. It wasn’t what I wanted and until recently, I had no idea Daniel had a girlfriend.” I still don’t say a word. She looks at Daniel again briefly and continues, “The photograph you saw in the papers, it was a setup.” Now my expression changes to one of confusion.
“I got a call. She told me what to do, and there would be paparazzi outside waiting to take the shots. I didn’t want to do it because I like Daniel and I understand the past few years have been difficult for him. We were all aware of the mess he’d got himself into and he needed nothing more to add to that. When Daniel and I parted…” there’s blush to her face, “… it was on good terms and there were no hard feelings between us.”
“You said the voice on the phone was ‘a she’. Do you know who ‘she’ was?” I ask.
“I don’t. At first, I thought it was some nutcase. I nearly hung up on her.” Tabitha is silent as if she’s drifted off into her own thoughts, but I jog her out of them.
“So why do it?”
“She listed information, very personal information. This woman was dangerous and I couldn’t take any chances.” She stands up and walks over to the glass door and looks out over the water.
“For the past two years, I’ve been involved with a married man. A Politician. Somehow, she found out about it. We can’t risk our affair being exposed. It would ruin him. I thought if I went along with all of this, I’d protect our relationship and it would also be a good cover. Everyone would believe I wanted Daniel again and avert suspicion to the affair. It was a win-winsituation, and she didn’t ask much of me. I’m sorry if it sounds cruel to you, but she probably could have made me do a lot worse.”
“Did you get any clue to who it could be? Maybe something in her voice—”
“None. I’m sorry.”
Daniel and I lock eyes for a moment, a knowing look between us. It can only Freya. She was too eager for me to read the newspaper article, even supplying the link.
“How can you be certain she won’t go back on her agreement, especially when she finds out you’ve been here?”
“Jack’s given me his word he will protect us. He’ll see to it personally.”
“Jack? As in Daniel’s driver, Jack? What the hell has he got to do with it?”
Tabitha looks towards Daniel. “Doesn’t she know his history?”
My blood runs hotter and I’m on the edge of blowing a gasket. More secrets? “No, I don’t!” I confront him for an explanation, but it’s Tabitha who answers.
