Page 87 of Nothing to Lose: Lost Trilogy: Part 1
“This is not a conversation that should take place in a parking lot, Emily. It is very inappropriate.”
“I don’t even know what conversation we are having, Steve,” I sigh in frustration. “And I don’t want to have any kind of conversation with you, okay? I don’t want to see you, I don’t want to talk to you. I just don’t want to have anything to do with you.” I clarify so that he understands.
Steve just stares at me, but he only seems to be amused by my outburst. I thought he’d get mad and want to leave. But no.
“Did you know that your father andboyfriend,” he spits out, and it is obvious he is disgusted with the idea of Puck being my boyfriend, “are in business together?”
I shake my head in confusion. I don’t understand where he’s going with this. Puck worked for my dad while we were in Texas. Is that what being in business together means?
“Thecriminalkind of business,” Steve leans down to get closer to me when he speaks the words softly in my ear.
I try not to react even though every muscle in my body tells me to punch this asshole in the face, then take off.
“I have evidence that would put both of them in prison for a long time,” Steve snickers. “Long enough where our great grandchildren would not be able to visit their papa. If he were to live for the next hundred years or so, of course.”
I just stare ahead, worried that if I look at Steve, he will see how scared I am.
“I will follow you home, Emily,” Steve tells me in a commanding voice. “And you will let me in. I will show you that I am not lying about any of this. I just love you and I want to help you.”
My head snaps back at hearing his declaration of love. I turn it to look at him and take in the cold and calculating look he has in his eyes.
I nod as if in agreement, and he steps back to let me close the door to my car. I start the engine and roll my window down.
“I am not interested in anything you have, Steve. Or anything you think you have.”
“Ah,” he rolls on the balls of his feet, then rocks back and forth a couple of times. He knows he has my attention. “So you’re okay with me taking everything to the police then.”
I am shaking all over and I’m not sure what the right thing to do is. I don’t want to talk to Steve. But what if he is not bluffing and he does have something big? Maybe I could at least take it to my dad once I know what it is that Steve has.
“I will only give you five minutes, Steve,” I tell him through clenched teeth. When I see the smirk forming in the corner of my mouth, I know I made a mistake.
I put the car into gear and leave the parking lot. The drive home feels way too long. I hate driving by myself, but knowing Dylan was in town, I gave Becca the space I’m sure she needs right now.
I finally pull into my little driveway in Sunny. When I see that Steve kept to his word and followed me here, I pray that when we walk into the house, Puck will be there to scare him off.
In a moment of lucidity, I grab my phone, deciding to send him a quick message.
Me: are you coming over?
There’s no immediate answer, so I sigh and get out of the car.
“I can’t believe you actually like living in this dump,” Steve mutters when he walks in. His comment puts me even more on edge, as if I wasn’t enough already.
“Did you drive all the way here just to insult my home?” I cross my arms over my chest and wait to see what he has to say. I notice that he’s brought a folder in with him, and what seems to be an electronic tablet.
“No,” he laughs. “Although that was a good one,” he points a finger at me and bops me on the nose playfully.
“What do you want, Steve?” My stomach is signaling that it can’t take much more, so whatever he’s got to say, he’s got to say it now.
“I have to tell you, Emily Stewart, that I regret not doing my research while we were dating.” His tone sounds happy, joyful even. “I knew your parents had some money, but I should’ve done my homework and find out exactly how much.”
He takes a moment to take in my humble little house that I am so proud of.
“This,” Steve rotates his finger around, “does not reflect the gem you are underneath it all, Emily.”
“You just sound like you’re talking in riddles, Steve. If this is all you wanted me to know, then okay. My father is doing well, he is a great businessman. But that’s his money, not mine,” I explain, talking really fast. Last he knew, my dad was not allowing me to go to Texas to claim my inheritance from my grandparents. “And he doesn’t judge me for where I live. In fact, my dad is very proud of how hard I work for what I have.”
“So you’re aware that your father is the head of one of the biggest criminal organizations in the country?”
