Chances (Mystic Nights #1)(40)

Both were within ten miles of the reservation. Inside the envelope had been the hand written note. It stated she should not jump the gun, and that she would have his full support on the old bingo hall on the reservation. She knew she had Myrtle’s vote. It was up to either Josephine or Jason to make it a done deal. Peter promised to work on them for her.

She hurried to answer the door wondering what brought Jonathan here in the middle of the day. When she opened it, she was even more shocked by the expression on his face. He looked angry. And it was directed at her.

She instantly felt fear. It caused her stomach to roll with trepidation.

“Hey, I’m surprised to see you. I didn’t expect to see you until later,” she opened the door further but he was already pushing past her.

“Yeah well, I’m a bit surprised myself. I saw your little tête-à-tête with Simon in the hallway this morning. Are you sleeping with him and Peter, too? Or are you just doing their dirty work?” he accused.

He hadn’t known what he was going to say once he got here, and those words just came tumbling out. Her face was one of shock, or disbelief. She took several steps back. “Or is the deal to just f*ck with me and keep me distracted?”

Aliya’s back was up against the wall. His words stung. It was like he had slapped her. And she felt her stomach roll once more. She lifted her hand by instinct and slapped Jonathan across the face. Hard. She found her courage. “How dare you? I . . . I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

When it looked like she was going to strike again, Jonathan’s hand whipped up and caught her wrist. He held it and pulled back twisting her arm painfully in his steel like grip.

“Let go,” she whimpered in disbelief.

“Nice act, Aliya. I could almost believe you.” He dropped her hand like it burned him and turned around. He eyes glanced towards the table at the yellow envelope and papers beside it. He saw her computer screen showing a strip mall in downtown Mystic, with a price tag of a half a million dollars on the screen. He tilted his head towards the screen. “So, is that how much it cost to f*ck me? Fuck with me!” he restated.

Aliya twisted her head at the direction he was looking. She was confused. She had no idea what he was talking about. He turned to face her. He grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him so she was flush up against him. “Tell me the truth.”

“Please let go of my arm. You’re hurting me,” she winced in agony, but more from the words than the actual physical pain she was feeling.

Jonathan loosened his hold, but did not let go. “You made a fool of me, Aliya. All for money. I fell for it too. Maybe the rumors about you are true. And all your care about is yourself and your dancing. It’s probably why you dumped that poor guy in New York, ran off to Vegas, and then aborted his child.” Tears immediately sprung to her eyes, but he wasn’t buying it. Not anymore. The proof was there on the table and on her computer screen. “I can’t believe I saw a future with you,” he spat the words and released her as he saw her face fall and the tears began to fall like diamonds from her eyes.

What a f*cking actress! The woman looked ill. She paled, and clapped her hand over her mouth. But instead of the lies and quick retort he expected, she turned and ran past him. He followed her as she slammed the bathroom door open and began to retch in the toilet just making it in time.

He opened the door and peered down at her in disgust. “I guess you do have a weak stomach. But the rest of you is cold.” She was clutching the basin as she heaved. He felt no sympathy in the moment. His anger was too great. “Your sins are catching up to you, Aliya, and I just came here today to tell you I’m not going to let you get away with it.” He watched Aliya’s shoulders shake as she cried over the bowl. She looked up at him after she finished and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Her eyes were question marks.

She started to shake her head in denial. And she was still crying. God, he wanted to throttle the little actress. She was making it so believable.

“I really . . . I don’t know what you are talking about, Jonathan. I really wish instead of accusations you would explain yourself.” She began to rise, but he stepped back laughing at her request, and she collapsed onto the floor. She saw nothing but revulsion in his eyes.

The nerve of the woman. “You really have some balls, Aliya. You are the one who has explaining to do. If not to me, then the police. I’ll have all the evidence I need in a matter of days. Maybe even by tonight.” He turned in disgust.

“I really . . .” Her words stopped as he turned into the hallway, and he heard her retching again. He paused. She wasn’t faking that. He had just a moment of doubt until he heard her behind him.

“I really don’t know what to say, Jonathan. What you want to hear. But there is one thing I can tell you.” He waited in the hallway. “I think I’m pregnant.”

His heart turned black in a second. His world tilted. Pregnant? How? They had always used protection. Hadn’t they? Well, it wasn’t his. His mind quickly flashed to New Year’s Eve. That first time. He wasn’t sure, and then the second time, the condom, when he’d thrown it away had seemed damaged.

He turned and looked at the heap on the floor that was Aliya. She grimaced and retched some more.

Was it possible? He paled. Then took a step back, but still gazed down at her.