Sweet Temptation (Sweet #4)(42)

He tried to tune her out, tried to think and act like a cop even if it had been several years. He tried to look at the stack of letters objectively, but as he read, rage took hold.

As she’d said, they started innocently enough, but he still found them creepy from the onset. And then it was as if a switch had been flipped. They went from seemingly harmless to an explosion of rage and violence.

A chill slithered down his spine as he read the countless promises, the threats. No longer was the man trying to be subtle. He outlined in stark clarity just what it was he’d do to her once he had her in his hands.

Jesus. It was a miracle he hadn’t gotten to her before she left Miami. Only because of her sheer intelligence and determination had he not kidnapped her from the club. Thank God for Nathan.

“What do we do?” Connor asked when Micah put the last of the notes back into the box.

Micah blew out his breath in an effort to control the wash of emotion that threatened to overtake him. He was angry—oh yes, he was pissed beyond belief—but he was also scared.

Before he could answer or even think of what the hell to say, Angelina turned, her eyes no longer reflecting fear or upset. No, determination burned deep and red-hot.

“The logical thing for me to do is leave,” she said evenly.

CHAPTER 19

Neither Micah nor Connor had any liking for her statement. Both got this pinched look on their faces, and Micah reddened, looking like he was about to erupt.

“Don’t be stupid,” he growled.

Angelina sighed. “I was stupid to come here, Micah. I thought I was playing it smart. Had a plan in place. Was meticulous in its execution. I’d hoped I could come here, start a new life and forget the past. That was stupid. Leaving is smart.”

Micah gaped incredulously at her. Connor frowned and eased up from his chair.

“Think I’ll just go into the kitchen and let you two hash this out.”

Micah waited until Connor had left the room and then rose from the couch, crossed the room and took her shoulders in his hands.

“You aren’t leaving, Angel. Where the hell would you go?”

“Back to Chicago first. After that? Anywhere I want.”

He looked up at the ceiling, his cheeks puffing out with his breath.

She reached up and loosened his hands on her shoulders then stepped back, eager to put distance between them. He unnerved her when he got this close.

“Think about it, Micah. I’ve put a lot of people in danger here. Your friends. Their wives and girlfriends. I like Faith, Serena and Julie. They don’t deserve to have this brought to their front door. I’ve only been here a few days. Just a blip on the radar. I’ll be forgotten in a week and everyone can get on with their lives. It just makes sense.

He stared disbelievingly at her. “You really believe all that bullshit, don’t you?”

Her eyes narrowed and she frowned. “Look, I’m not being a martyr here, Micah. It’s stupid to involve all of you in this. It’s not your problem. It never was. I’m not an idiot. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time. Did he scare me? Hell yes. I was terrified. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to be an easy target for him. I’m not a victim. I never will be. But I’m not stupid either. And I won’t allow your friends to get involved in this.”

“They’re your friends too,” Micah said.

She shook her head and sighed. “They’re loyal to you, Micah. They love you. They feel a certain responsibility to me because of my association with you.”

“Bull.”

“Let’s not argue,” she pleaded. “I need help planning a way to get out of town unnoticed. The sooner the better. He wouldn’t expect me to put together a plan this fast. If I could leave tonight, I’d get a jump on him while he’s still so pissed about missing me at the club.”

Micah closed the distance between them again. “You don’t get it, do you? You aren’t leaving, Angel. I bailed on you once. It won’t happen again.”

“Guilt is bullshit,” she snapped. “I don’t need it. Don’t want it.”

“Fuck guilt. Guilt isn’t what I’m feeling right now. I’m so pissed I can’t see straight. You think I’m thinking about David right now? Or Hannah? Or the fact that I walked out on you when you needed me the most? Hell no. I’m thinking about what would happen if that bastard got his hands on you. I’m thinking about how the f**k I’m going to keep you safe. I’m thinking about how I can keep you close and not take you over.”

Her belly fluttered in awareness and a tingle snaked its way up her spine. He looked so furious, so intense. So focused on her. She shivered as goose bumps raced across her arms, her br**sts, beading her ni**les into tight little knots.

“You’re so sure that I’m a mindless puppet who’d be content to let you pull my strings, that I’d be some brainless rag doll. No wonder you don’t want me, Micah. I wouldn’t want me either if I thought those things.”

“I don’t think that,” he growled.

Her mouth twisted. “I’m capable of making my own decisions. David didn’t raise me to be a fool. I know precisely what I’d be walk ing into with you, and yet you’re so determined to be noble and save me from myself. Personally I think it’s all bullshit. You’re not saving anyone but yourself. You’re scared of the way I make you feel because you don’t want to feel anything. Okay, fine, but quit being a coward and pretending this is all about me and what I’m not getting. Man up and tell me you don’t want me, but quit making excuses.”