The Naughty List Bundle - Kylie Adams [69]
She looked so panicked, Sawyer gently folded her close, despite her struggles, and held her. “Baby, listen to me. You spoke with Misty yesterday, remember? If anything had been wrong, she’d have told you.”
He felt her relax slightly, the rigidity seeping out of her spine. “Yes, of course you’re right.”
She drew a deep breath, and slowly, right before his eyes, Sawyer watched her pull herself together. She’d been given a terrible blow, but already her shoulders were squared, her expression settling into lines of determination. She stepped away from him. “Let’s get this over with. I want to talk to Alden, to find out what I can, and then we can have the police pick him up. The tape will be enough evidence, don’t you think?”
Morgan gave one hard nod. “Damn right, especially with the break-in at your sister’s and the way you’ve been chased. But with any luck, he’ll incriminate himself further on the phone, and we’ll all be witnesses. Don’t worry, Honey. It’s almost over with. I have friends with the state police who can handle everything.”
Sawyer didn’t want to let her go, didn’t want her to so much as speak to Alden, much less carry on a deceptive conversation, but she was adamant. When she turned her back and walked away from him, it was all he could do not to haul her back up to his side and tote her out of the room.
Honey took a seat by the phone, looking like a queen surrounded by her subjects, and she dialed Alden’s number. It took several rings for him to answer, and when he finally did, Honey closed her eyes. “Hello, Alden.”
There was a heavy pause. “Honey? Is that you?”
“Yes.”
Another pause, then, “Where the hell have you been?”
Honey started, but in the next instant she scowled and tightened her hand on the phone. Sawyer felt a swell of pride for her courage.
“Have you been looking for me?”
“You’re goddamned right, I’ve been looking for you. For God’s sake, Honey, I thought you were dead.”
HONEY STARED at the phone, her entire body trembling with rage. “Why would you think that, Alden? I left because I didn’t want to marry you. Didn’t you read my note?”
Her calm tone seemed to sink in to him. She heard him breathing heavily in an effort to control himself. “Yes, I read it. Where are you, Honey?”
She stared at her hands on the desk, not at the men who watched her so closely. “I’m afraid, Alden. Someone has been chasing after me.”
He muttered low, then said in sugary tones, “Have you spoken with anyone?”
“About what? Our breakup?”
“About…Dammit, never mind that. Where are you living now? I’ll come get you.”
“I’m not living anywhere.” In a calculated lie, she said, “I’ve been so afraid, just running from whoever is after me. I haven’t had a chance to unpack. My clothes were all left at my sister’s, but everything else is still in boxes in my trunk. I shouldn’t have left, Alden. My father doesn’t believe someone is after me, so I can’t go to him.”
“I know,” he answered in soothing tones. “He’s never been overly concerned for you. But I am, sweetheart. You know that. I wanted to marry you long before I learned about his will. If you want, we’ll make him change it. He can leave everything to your sister. I don’t care about the money, I just want you back with me, safe and sound. Tell me where you are so I can come get you.”
“I don’t know….” She tried to put just the right amount of hesitation into her tone.
“Listen to me, damn you!” He made a sound of pain and cursed. “People are after you, and they’re dangerous. I know because they already put me in the hospital once. I spent almost a week there and I can tell you it wasn’t pleasant!”
Honey glanced at Sawyer and saw his dark eyes glint with satisfaction. She held no sympathy for Alden, either, but knowing they’d hurt him scared her spitless. She didn’t want the men anywhere near Sawyer or his family. “Why would anyone hurt you, Alden?”
“I don’t know. I think it might have something to do with a shady deal your father made to buy some inside corporate information.”
Honey raised her brows. That was an excellent lie, because it was