The Rules (28 page)

Terri rubbed her belly again, imagining what her little boy and girl would look like and their personalities.

“Mrs. Johnson?” The housekeeper called at the door.

“Yes?”

“I’m leaving. Would you like me to set the alarm before I go?”

“No, I’m going to pick up a few things at the store.” She tugged on a robe and padded out to the bedroom. She opened the door.

The housekeeper frowned, her brown face showing wrinkles around the corners and a spattering of tiny moles down her left cheek. “Ma’am, if you need me to get something…”

“Not necessary.” Terri waved away the concern. As the woman of the house, the employees were expected to tend to her every need, especially since she was pregnant, but it was nice to run her own errands sometimes. “You go on. I’ll be fine.”

“Well, if you’re sure…” Edie hesitated.

Terri figured the woman was probably worried about word getting back to Gavin, but he was still in Missouri, where he and Xavier had gone to examine the operations of a small craft brewer that they were considering buying out.

“I’m sure. And this will be between the two of us.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Edie folded her hands in front of her. “The chef prepared a fried chicken meal using your grandmother’s recipe, as you requested. I hope you’ll find it to your liking.”

She had the strangest cravings since getting pregnant. Gourmet cheese straws and gelato were only the beginning. She also craved baloney sandwiches and her grandmother’s fried chicken.

“I’m sure I will.”

“Good night.”

After Edie left, Terri put on an oversized shirt that stretched across her belly and breasts and a pair of elastic waistband jeans. Chuckling at the vision she made, she flung her Gucci purse over her shoulder and took the elevator down to the first floor. As she neared the kitchen, the aroma of fried chicken, mashed potatoes with cheese, and sautéed corn filled the air.

She went into the kitchen and lifted the cover from the pot and pinched off a piece of meat. Crunchy skin and moist insides danced in her mouth. “Mmmm. He did good, Nana Elisabeth,” she said to the empty kitchen.

Terri re-covered the dish and picked up the tablet resting on the counter, scrolling through the images to ensure all the doors and windows were securely closed before setting the alarm. She stopped when she saw the sensor on a door at the back of the house glowed with a red warning light. Someone must have left it open. Again. It could have been one of the gardeners or one of the workmen Gavin had knocking down a wall to build a library for her.

Sighing, Terri set down the tablet. She’d have to shut it properly before she could set the alarm.

At a soft sound behind her, the hairs on the back of her neck immediately went vertical and she swung around.

She almost fainted when she saw Talon Cyrenci standing in the doorway. Grabbing onto the counter, her eyes darted around the room. Was she hallucinating?

Those cold green eyes were no hallucination.

Talon was of average height with a long body—the best way to describe him. He had a narrow, elongated face and arms and legs that seemed to extend to three times the length of his torso. But he had the body of a long distance runner, with lean muscles and a hidden strength not easily discerned at first glance. The kind of strength used to subdue a woman and keep her in her place.

Sharp as ever, he projected an image of refined wealth in a long-sleeved shirt with gold cuff links, dark slacks, and gleaming wingtips. But the fine covering hid his true personality—that of a common street thug who dragged her into his life of crime.

“Hello, Felicia.” The familiar slick smile turned her stomach. “Pardon me. It’s Terri now, isn’t it?”

A chill scurried down her spine. “H-how did you get in here?”

“Don’t look so afraid, sweetheart.” The evil grin stretched further across his face. “I just came for what you owe me.”

“I-I don’t owe you anything.”

He wagged a finger at her. “Don’t be coy. You know what you did. I lost everything because of you.” He looked around the Poggenpohl-designed kitchen—sophisticated simplicity with its sharp lines and flat surfaces of white and metallic gray. “Now look at you. Pregnant. Married. To a fucking billionaire, at that. Best damn scam you ever pulled, and I didn’t even have to put a gun to your head to make you carry it out.”

He came around the island and Terri edged away, sliding along the counter. The knives were in the drawer in the corner. If she could get to them, she should be able to stab him and make an escape.

“What do you want?” she asked, trying to distract him with conversation.

“I want money.”

“I don’t have any money. My husband—”

“Your husband. Isn’t that sweet?”

Terri’s hand tightened on the counter at his sarcastic tone. “I don’t keep much cash, but I have—have some jewelry upstairs.”

“There’s a safe here somewhere. These rich types always have safes.”

“There is, but I don’t know the combination. He’s never given it to me.”

“The jewelry’s a start. Then you and I are going to the bank tomorrow to withdraw some funds.”

Terri’s legs became unstable, and she gripped the counter even harder for support. Did he plan to stay here all night? “Tomorrow?” she brokenly whispered.

“That’s right. We’re going to be spending a little time together. You owe me money, and you owe me the time I spent behind bars.” His face turned into a vicious snarl.

“You can’t stay here. Gavin will be home any minute.”

“Tsk, tsk. You think I’m stupid, don’t you? I already know your husband is in Missouri.” He nodded when her eyes widened, his eyes filled with triumph. “Yeah, that’s right. I’ve been keeping an eye on you for a minute, and lucky for me, the newspaper, magazines, and Internet let me know everything he’s up to. Hell, even his Twitter account announced where he is.” The sly grin died on his face. “Show me the jewelry. Now.”

“Okay. I have to go upstairs.” She started moving again, keeping an eye on him from the corner of her eye as he followed. Then she dashed for the drawer and had her hand on a carving knife before Talon’s hand slammed onto her wrist.

Agonizing pain shot up her arm. Terri screamed and almost crumbled to the floor. She staggered out of his reach, tears filling her eyes as she clutched the counter for support. Her breathing came fast and heavy.

“That was dumb,” Talon said.

He picked up the knife and hooked the blade in one of her hoop earrings. “What if I did to you what you were planning to do to me? Hmm? Tell me you’re sorry.”

“I’m sorry.” Her hand protectively covered her bulging midsection.

“Louder.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Less attitude,” he said through gritted teeth, fingers tightening around the handle of the weapon.

Terri took a breath. “I’m sorry.”

He glanced at the hand covering her belly. “You always wanted to get married and start a family. Everything was about you, what you wanted, and what you didn’t want. We had a good thing going, but you—you turned on me. Thought you were better than me, didn’t you?” The fact that she didn’t answer didn’t stop him at all. He nodded his head. “Yeah, you thought you were too good for me.”

He rubbed his jaw, and a wicked smile crossed his face. Terri’s heart bottomed out at the evil intent in his eyes.

“You owe me.”

“I’ll get you the jewelry and any money you want.”

“No, something else. Something I was deprived of for four years during the trial and my incarceration.” He caught her by the chin and hard fingers burned into her flesh. “I want you on your knees.”

Her eyes opened in horror. “I’m pregnant.”

“That’s going to make it even sweeter. On. Your. Knees.”

Worried that if she didn’t immediately comply he would hurt her, Terri held onto the counter and clumsily lowered to the floor, landing sideways onto her hip. Pain shot through her side when she hit the tile. She grimaced, but Talon gave no indication that he noticed or intended to aid her. He slammed the knife on the counter and unbuttoned his pants.

“You know what to do.” He grabbed her chin and forced her eyes up to him.

She saw nothing but evil there. Hate. Anger that she’d dared to turn on him and succeed in having a better life than the one they had shared.

“I want you to look at me when you suck me off.”

“You don’t have to do this. I can get you money,” Terri said, trying to reason with him.

“I’ll get the money, too. This first.”

His actions weren’t just about revenge. They were about feeling superior to the man she married. His fragile ego made him want to take her, own her, and force her to submit.

Terri unzipped his pants, fingers trembling. Her eyes shifted to the knife on the counter.

“Don’t even think about it,” Talon warned.

She pulled out his limp penis and held it in one hand.

“That’s right,” he rasped. “Handle your business.”

His penis grew firmer, and she fought back the nausea, lifted her other hand, and punched him hard and swift in the balls.

Talon yelped and doubled over, and that’s when Terri took off. She couldn’t get to her feet, so she crawled as quickly as she could on her hands and knees toward the door.

“Bitch. Bitch.
Bitch
,” Talon panted behind her.

Terri grasped the doorjamb with both hands and struggled to her feet. Not an easy task with all the weight at her center, but she succeeded. Glancing back for a split second, she saw Talon staggering to his feet, face contorted and one hand on his crotch. He sent a venomous glare her way. In no uncertain terms, she would be dead if he caught her.

Terri raced down the hall, clutching her belly.

The elevator. She had to get to the elevator. Upstairs, she could lock herself behind the sanctuary of the bedroom door.

She ran around the corner and stood anxiously in front of the lift, jabbing her thumb constantly into the button. The doors slowly opened and she hurried inside. Punching the button for the third floor, she was almost home free when Talon’s pale hands forced their way between the closing doors.

Terri screamed and backed into the corner. She watched in horror as he pried apart the two sides. Her knees collapsed and she slid along the wall to the floor. This couldn’t be happening.

“You thought you had me, didn’t you?” His face was red and angry. His long hands held the doors wide. “There’s no getting away from me tonight.”

“Please.”

“Get out here!”

“No.” She rapidly shook her head.

Talon rushed forward and without thinking, without any premeditation, Terri lifted her foot and kicked him in stomach.

“Oof.” His eyes crossed and he doubled over. Terri slammed the heel of her shoe into forehead, kicking him so hard he fell sideways onto the floor. Moaning and clutching his face, Talon rolled on the floor.

Breathing hard, Terri stepped over him and raced toward the stairs. Talon was strong, and now enraged, which meant he could probably break down the door of any room she entered with one solid kick. Which was why she had to get to the top floor. He couldn’t get her in the bedroom, which doubled as a panic room. She could call for help from there.

She rushed up the stairs, stumbling on the third step and quickly putting out her hand to brace against the impact on her belly. She recovered quickly and pressed onward. She climbed as fast as she could to the second floor and then bolted toward the second staircase. She paused, winded. With so much weight at her center, she was struggling. Almost there.

“Felicia!” Talon bellowed behind her.

His voice catapulted her into action.

Oh god, oh god
.

Halfway there. Tears blurred her vision as she clutched the railing for support, heaving her bulky body up to safety.

Her right foot landed on the top step, but when she lifted the left to join it, Talon’s hand closed around the ankle. Terri kicked with all her might and his weak hold released her.

“
Fel-i-cia!
”

She didn’t stop. She didn’t pause. She flew down the hallway as fast as she could go, but he grabbed her around the neck from behind and knocked her to the floor. Searing pain cut across her back and side.

“You stupid bitch. Now I have to kill—”

The words were cut short by a strangled sound coming from his throat. Terri looked up to see another body in shirtsleeves—dark, tall, and athletic.

Gavin
. He came back early. She almost sobbed with relief.

His fist landed with a crack across Talon’s jaw, knocking the other man into the wall.

Gavin turned to her, fists at his side, eyes filled with murderous rage.

“Get in the bedroom.
Now
.”

He didn’t have to tell her twice. Terri scrambled to her feet and ran the rest of the way to their bedroom. She closed the easy-swing door, fifteen hundred pounds slamming into place and metal bolts sliding home to lock out the danger.