Baddest Bad Boys(90)

Suddenly Max had a hunch who Bridgette was giving information to. “How much did Bridgette pay you to harass Ellie?”

The man gave him a cold stare and shook his head. “I ain’t talking with anyone but my lawyer.”

“Funny, that’s the same thing she said. Just remember: the DA generally cuts a deal with the first one arrested. Bridgette might beat you to the punch.” Max glanced at the hotel’s security agent. “Make sure the police know this man is wanted in connection with a home invasion and assault in Massachusetts. I want to make damn sure he never gets out of jail.”

The police arrived a short time later. Ellie’s assailant refused to identify himself and was promptly hauled off to jail.

Max was now in the room down the hall with Ellie, waiting for the police to complete her statement. The hotel’s general manager hovered in the background, profusely apologetic.

Gerard showed up and reported that Bridgette and the reporter were being charged with trespassing. “I told the sheriff other charges would be forthcoming. Bridgette was nearly hysterical to learn Ellie’s assailant had been captured. She’s also insisting that you still care for her, that you won’t press charges no matter what she’s done.”

Max shook his head. Bridgette’s possessiveness had been a problem back when they were dating, but he had no idea she would go to these extremes. “Let me know what else you find out.”

When Gerard left, the officer who’d been talking with Ellie motioned to Max. Max moved up and sat beside Ellie.

“The man we arrested,” the officer said, “has quite a record. He’s also wanted for questioning in the disappearance of at least three other women. It appears he works for hire. Do you have any enemies, Ms. DeLuca?”

“Enemies?” Ellie blinked.

“This may be more about my enemies than hers.” Max explained what Gerard had shared about Bridgette.

They talked for a while with the officer. By the time they were finally alone, it was dark outside. “Stay as long as you like,” the general manager said before leaving. “Just call room service when you’re ready for food.”

“I’m really not hungry,” Ellie said.

“That’s understandable,” Max said. “It’s been a hellacious day.”

She nodded. “At least it’s over.”

“The worst of it’s over, yes. However, you and I still need to talk.”

Ellie rubbed her forehead. “If it’s about the stock, I’ll instruct my attorney to cooperate fully with yours.”

“You probably won’t believe this, but I went to my attorney’s today intending to pick up transfer documents relinquishing my control of your shares. Instead, I get there and find that you had signed over yours.”

“The shares weren’t really mine. They were Stefan’s.”

“We can argue that point later.” He took her hands in his, squeezed them. “The reason I took you to the island was to keep you safe, El. While I tried to set a trap for this creep. Bridgette’s involvement blindsided me.”

She tried to tug her hands free, but couldn’t. “You should have told me about Gerard.”

“You’re right. I handled it all wrong.” He paused, took a deep breath. “Hell, I’ve handled this wrong for seven years. So I’m just going to cut to the bottom line. I want a new deal, El. A chance to start over.”

“Another seven days?” She looked uncertain.

“No. I’m talking seven weeks, seven months. Seven eternities. And not just on an island. I want a chance to make it work everywhere, El.” He linked their fingers together. “What do you say?”

She closed her eyes, and when she opened them, she smiled. “It’s a deal, Max.”

You’ve got to try

THE ONE I WANT

by Nancy Warren,

new this month from Brava…

Matthew wandered past his front door, yawning, fantasizing about the first strong, black cup of coffee of the day when he noticed a fat envelope on the mat inside his front door.

He stood there for a moment regarding it, eyes unconsciously narrowing. It wasn’t part of the regular mail delivery. He’d locked up just after midnight and the envelope hadn’t been there then. He glanced at his watch and wondered who had dropped off a fat piece of mail in the last seven hours and whether he should be alarmed.

As usual, curiosity was stronger than caution. He picked up the envelope. Chloe was handwritten on the front. The envelope was soft, the flap tucked in but not sealed. A man with strong moral fiber and a healthy conscience would walk right next door and push the envelope through the correct mail slot.

He pulled out the tucked flap and peeked inside, where he found a wad of cash. And a note.

Chloe,

Thanks so much. Didn’t want this on my credit card for obvious reasons. Everything worked out great. I’d use you again.

Allan

He counted the money, then stood there chewing his upper lip with an unpleasant feeling that both he and his London acquaintance Gerald had been snowed. He shoved the money back and walked outside into the cool of the morning. Lights were on in a few of his neighbors’ windows, and Horace Black across the street and two down, was backing his new truck down the driveway.

Up and down the street signs of life, but in his new neighbor’s house nothing. She’d been here for two weeks, and while she seemed like a good tenant, she came and went at strange hours. He had a bad feeling he now knew why.