Secret Obsession (Carder Texas Connections #6)(55)

“You are more beautiful than ever. And you deciphered my message, which means you are my match.” His arm swept around the gym. “Do you like it? This was how we were meant to fall in love.”

A chill skittered down Lyssa’s back at the singsong voice. She had no idea who he was. She only knew he had her daughter, and she had to be smart—smarter than Archimedes, smarter than she’d ever been in her life.

She clung to Noah’s advice.

“I didn’t understand,” she said softly. “I’m sorry.”

“I know, my dear.” He stepped back. “Undress.”

Lyssa couldn’t move.

He crossed his arms. “Remove your clothes and put on the dress. Before I lose my patience.”

He rubbed his temple. She didn’t have a choice. Legs shaking, she walked over to the red gown, so very similar to the one from a decade ago. She touched the fabric then turned it to the back. She froze when she noticed the small tear near the zipper.

“Th-this is my dress.” She staggered back. “H-how...?”

His smile widened. “You never noticed it disappeared from your closet, did you?”

She had, actually. She’d thought her mother gave it away. She’d been furious.

Archimedes circled her. “You danced with him all night. Zeigler wasn’t good enough for you.” He spat out Bill’s name. “He kissed you. He touched you.”

“You were there?”

“I watched you push him away when he wanted to take you. I knew you were pure and innocent. I knew someday you would be mine, that I would earn your respect. And your love.

“I have. The world knows my name.”

Archimedes adjusted his tie. “Put on the dress.”

Hands shaking, Lyssa lifted it off the hanger. “Is there a bathroom?” she asked. Maybe she could find a weapon, something to fight him with.

“No need for modesty, my dear. We will be together for eternity. Infinity and beyond. Remove your clothes.”

His gaze bored into her. She turned away, trying to hide her bare breasts when she slipped the red satin over her head.

With the weight she’d lost the past couple of years, it still fit, though it was snug on her breasts and hips. Her body had changed.

Because of Jocelyn.

She would do this. For Jocelyn.

She removed her jeans and pushed them aside, then slipped into jewel-encrusted shoes. Frantically, she searched the gym for something, anything to use to fight him. There was nothing but balloons and streamers. What she wouldn’t give for her gun or knife.

“Now the tiara,” he said, his voice husky, his eyes heavy with want.

One glance told her this was no rhinestone tiara. These diamonds were real. Who was he?

She placed the crown on her head.

“Look at me,” he whispered.

She faced him.

He smiled. “Just as I imagined.”

She smoothed down the dress. “Can I see my baby now?” she pleaded. “Is she okay?”

He scowled at her. “She’s not crying, is she? I’m the important one right now. Me. You will pay attention to me.”

His fists clenched, his frown deepened. She’d messed up. She had to keep him calm. She had to keep him happy.

Oh, Noah. Now was when he was supposed to force his way into the gym and shoot Archimedes. That he didn’t meant only one thing. Noah really was dead.

Mustering all the courage she could find within herself, she moved closer to him. She would stay alive, no matter what. She’d find a way out for her and her daughter.

Somehow. Someway.

Her body trembling, she stepped forward. “I’m sorry. You’re right. What do you want me to do?”

He hit the button on a remote, switching to Norah Jones’s “Come Away With Me.” “Dance with me.”

She hesitated, her gaze flitting to each corner of the room, searching for her daughter. His eyes grew hard. “No tricks, Alessandra. My little remote controls not only your life but your child’s life, as well.” He held out his hand. “Dance with me.”

Music played over the speakers. She walked to Archimedes, the man who had killed Jack, her first love, the father of her child. The man who had killed Noah Bradford—Noah, who had restarted her heart.

She placed her hand in Archimedes’s. He squeezed her, his touch firm yet strangely gentle. It was the first time he’d touched her, and she fought back the squirm. She let Archimedes hold her close when she wanted to bring her knee up and run.

She wouldn’t risk Jocelyn’s life. She couldn’t chance it.

Lyssa followed his lead, her body stiff against his. His breath hissed against her ear. “I knew we would fit together perfectly.”

He grabbed her hands and placed them on his shoulders, pulling her close. His body brushed against hers. Nausea formed in the base of her throat.

A few blinks cleared tears from her eyes. She scanned the room, desperate to locate Jocelyn. She’d heard the cry. Her daughter had to be nearby.

“Please, can I see the baby?” she whispered in his ear.

He shoved her away from him. “You had to ruin it, didn’t you? Asking for what you want, never thinking of my needs first.” He clicked the remote. “You’ll learn.” The music stopped. A shiver went through Lyssa. Oh, God, what had she done?