And closer.

  And stopped right in front of the door. I slunk further against the wall, still holding my breath. Finally, I sensed Gregor was moving away. When I heard another muffled sound later, I thought about calling the police myself. I would if the bastard didn’t leave. As I returned to the door, the muffled sound of their loud voices continued. I was risking my own safety, but I had to hear what was going on.

  I opened the door just a crack.

  “I’d be very careful if I were you, Mrs. Casper. I’m certain you won’t like what happens if you cross me or my organization.”

  “You’re threatening me now, Gregor? Isn’t that beneath you?”

  He laughed, the sound unlike anything I’d heard from him, entirely too evil.

  “Don’t fuck with me, Mrs. Casper. I know all about you and your lovely family. You should have learned by now that I get exactly what I want.” He elongated the last few words for emphasis, laughing once again afterward.

  “And don’t fuck with me, Gregor. I have information on you that you won’t like exposed.”

  He chuckled, obviously amused. When he spoke something in what sounded like Spanish, I was reminded of the rumors I’d heard about him. What if he was a member of some crime syndicate? What in the world was he doing in the United States?

  I heard another sound, something being thrown against the wall seconds before his footsteps pounded in my ears all over again. I closed the door, backing away as I’d done before. This time, Gregor didn’t stop, moving in a perfect rhythm down the hall. When I could no longer hear his footsteps, I took a deep breath.

  What in the hell was going on?

  I waited for at least two additional minutes before daring to open the door, popping my head out and considering walking into the hallway. There was no one in sight and Marcia wasn’t making any sounds. Nervous, I shifted out of the room, taking another look over my shoulder before heading to her office. The door was still open and she was sitting at her desk, her head in her hands.

  “Mrs. Casper?” I kept my voice low, but my sudden appearance still scared her to death.

  She jerked up her head, terror unlike anything I’d seen crossing her face. Her expression softened a few seconds later. “Goodness. Bella. You scared me half to death. What in the world are you doing here on a Sunday?”

  “I wanted to bring you something that was given to me last night from one of our patrons.”

  “Oh?” She was obviously doing her best to compose herself, glancing around the room and grimacing. When she did that, I scanned the other side of her office, realizing Gregor had tossed her phone against the wall. It was in a dozen pieces on the floor. I tried to act as if I hadn’t seen it, my hand still trembling as I pulled the check from my purse, placing it on her desk.

  “I didn’t see you last night or I would have handed it to you then.”

  Her eyes lit up when she saw it. “Oh, my goodness. She’s only donated a few token dollars before. How did this happen?”

  “I honestly have no idea. She just told me she adored the performance and hoped we could succeed.” How could I tell her the lady had been threatened much like she had been?

  “This is amazing. And you did a lovely job last night. Or so I heard.”

  That meant she hadn’t been at the show. I was surprised but by the odd look on her face, I had a feeling I shouldn’t ask.

  “Well, thank you for dropping this off. Now, go enjoy your day off.”

  “I will.” As I’d done before, I moved toward the door, stopping before leaving. “Mrs. Casper? Is everything okay? When I was walking down the hall, I was certain I heard loud voices.”

  She seemed startled, studying me intently. “Everything is just fine, Bella. Go home. Forget what you might have heard.”

  “But if Gregor is dangerous…”

  “Go home, Bella. That’s where you need to be.”

  I was surprised she was dismissing me, but I could tell she had something else on her mind. “O-kay. Just be careful.”

  As Marcia narrowed her eyes, lifting her head once again to glance in my direction, she tried to smile. But there was no doubt she was terrified of what Gregor could do. I backed out, smiling back at her and heading down the hallway. I continuously paid attention to the sounds and my surroundings, certain Gregor would suddenly confront me for invading the space. There was nothing, no other sounds, no mysterious noises of any kind.

  But then moment I rounded the corner, I bumped into a hard body.

  “Shit.”

  The hard shove almost drove me into the wall. “Jesus. Jonas. What the hell are you doing here?”

  He gave me the same dopey grin I’d seen a half dozen times. “I forgot my iPad yesterday. You know I can’t live without it. The question is, what are you doing here? And what the hell happened to your face?”

  I rubbed my hands on my jeans before touching my cheek. “Just a scratch. I went to see my mother. And I had to drop off a check I was handed last night. A beautiful donation.”

  “Oh, fantastic.” He kept the grin then cocked his head. “Your mother was agitated?”

  “Yeah, not sure why.” He’d been the first person I’d told about my mother. He’d allowed me to cry on his shoulder more than once, telling me everything was going to be alright. I wasn’t certain that was the case.

  “Oh, girl.”

  “It’s okay. I’m sorry I ran out last night. You never told me what happened at the dinner with your parents. Out with it. Come on.”

  “Shit. It was one of those… festive dinners. Dad was in rare form, talking about his conquests in business and his future in politics.”

  “And you?”

  He nodded. “My profession came up, which is why I left after pretending to go to the bathroom.”

  “Ugh. That bad.”

  “Yeah, what happened to you? I looked and you were rushing out the back door.”

  “I went by but didn’t stay very long. I just… I wasn’t feeling very well.”

  “Uh-huh. You’re a terrible liar. Let me guess. Creed Saint showed up to the party. Right? I don’t like that guy hovering around you. And the damn flowers? What did he think he was going to accomplish, seducing you?” When I didn’t say anything at first, he reared back. “Ah, shit, Bella. Please do not tell me you went out for a drink with him.”

  “You were listening in on the conversation.”

  “Hell, yes, I was. I told you that guy is bad news. I even asked Daddy dearest about him last night before things got out of hand.”

  “What did he say?”

  “He glared at me like usual before grilling me on how I knew him. After I lied through my teeth, he mentioned he was once on a case when his office tried to bring down all three brothers. I think it was all about their father’s disappearance. Anyway, they couldn’t get anywhere because the evidence suddenly went missing. However, to this day everyone does believe there are multiple bodies buried on the estate Creed inherited. I got the feeling my father had more than a run-in or two with the family.”

  “Ugh.”

  “Yeah, a black mark on the office for not managing a conviction. Anyway, good old Dad told me to keep my distance at all costs. I’m telling you to do the same.”

  I nibbled on my lip nervously as we walked toward the main practice room that had a perfect view of the street below. I found myself gravitating inside. I wanted to see if I was out of my mind or right that I’d been followed.

  “So Creed wanted to spend time with you. That’s why you’re acting all weird.”

  I laughed but the sound was hollow. “He did but he helped get the donation and nothing more, so it was okay. Now, about the ugliness at dinner and no, you’re not getting out of telling your best friend.” I could tell he wasn’t buying a single thing I said about the merciless man. I still had the creepy crawlies. What if Gregor was watching from the shadows? What if Creed was standing outside waiting for me?

  Jonas rolled his eyes. “It was typical, at least at first. My mother was over the moon with compliments and my father had his phone out all through dinner. Then he announced during dessert that my days as a dancer were over and that I’d been sponsored to go to law school. And that he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. After that, the typical jabs at my chosen profession and my sexuality began.”

  “What? He can’t do that. There are days I want to punch your father in the nose.”

  “Me too. However, you don’t understand, sweet girl. My father can do anything he wants. He’s become a very powerful man in Chicago. He even bragged after our conversation about Mr. Saint that he had evidence against the family that he would use to advance his career.”

  I headed to the window, my stomach still in knots. “Are you considering your father’s demand?”

  He was quiet for a few seconds. “I don’t know if I have a choice. He has control of my trust fund, which he will keep from me if I don’t do what he wants. The money allows me to pay my rent and eat.”

  “You cannot allow your father to rule your life. Why don’t you get a second job so you can be more on your own?”

  “Oh, you mean in a hot little club like your sexy job?”

  When I gave him a hard look, he laughed. “Don’t torment me.”

  “This is Chicago, baby girl. You and I both know the reason you’re working at a hot little club is because you couldn’t pay your bills by being a lowly member of the ballet company and working at a fast-food joint. Not possible.”

  “There must be a way. You are brilliant and the best dancer I’ve seen. Ever.” I glanced out the window and my entire body was instantly paralyzed. He was there. Right across the street. And he was looking up at this window. How would he know where I was? How could he possibly have any idea I’d be looking for him?

  “I’m going to talk to my mom, but I don’t know. And what are you looking at?”

  “It’s him. He’s right there. He followed me.”

  “Who are you talking about?” Jonas peered out the window. “Creed?”

  “Don’t you see him? He’s right there across the street.” I pointed but at that moment, a huge truck rolled by blocking the view.

  He narrowed his eyes, still searching, shaking his head when the truck passed. “Are you certain someone was following you? I don’t see anyone standing and staring.”

  Blinking, I pressed my hand against the glass as I scanned the sidewalk, one side then the other. He was gone.

  No sight of him.

  But I wasn’t crazy. He’d been right there. Right there. I knew it.

  As I continued searching, a cold chill trickled down my back. There was no doubt what would happen.

  He was coming for me and when he captured me, he’d never let me go.

  CHAPTER 12

  Bella

  “Before I agree to this, you need to tell me everything that happened last night.” Jonas was insistent and I wasn’t certain I was ready to tell anyone what had occurred inside the elevator. “Whether or not my father was exaggerating, the man is one scary dude.”

  We were sitting at a small table directly in front of the small café’s picture window. It was the perfect place to observe people enjoying their day shopping or heading to and from work.

  It was also the perfect place to be seen, which is what I was hoping would happen.

  The various odd incidents would unnerve me for some time to come, especially the one with Creed. No matter how much I’d secretly enjoyed the attention and the explosion of passion, I was sick to my stomach for what I’d allowed to occur. I’d never had a one-night stand in my life. Okay, Creed had been forceful, but the reality was that I’d enjoyed both the attention and the passion. However, whether or not he was following me helped me to realize that his infatuation or his determination to own me wasn’t acceptable.

  You couldn’t just lay claim to a person and that made it so. I didn’t care how much money he had or how good looking he was, I refused to allow the man to slide into my life ever again.

  “He continued to ask me out, telling me he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. When I told him I had a boyfriend, he laughed as if it was the most ridiculous thing on the planet. He told me that we would be together and we’d be incredible.”

  “Possessive much?” Jonas laughed as he sipped his soft drink. “But it’s nice to have that kind of attention.”

  I couldn’t concentrate, constantly looking out the window, unsure if I was hoping to see the man or praying I didn’t. Either way, I wanted to give Creed the full understanding I wasn’t going to see him again. Period. He could prod and coerce me all he wanted but I refused to be used by anyone.

  No matter how sexy.

  Jonas followed my line of sight and sighed. “You honestly think he’s following you?”

  “I’m certain of it. Or maybe it’s Gregor.”

  “What?”

  “Did you see Gregor when you came in?”

  “No. Why?”

  “I don’t know. He was at the ballet company having another argument with Marcia.”

  He snorted. “Well, the man is a hothead. Did you ask her about it?”

  “She wasn’t going to say anything. What it is with the two men, their dangerous backgrounds?”

  “You think Gregor and Creed know each other.”

  “Both rumored to be mafia? Maybe?”

  He reached over, grabbing my hand. “You know I adore you but don’t assume anything other than it’s best you stay away from both of them. So how far with the boyfriend/girlfriend thing do you want to go?” He was grinning, back to not being but so concerned.

  “We can just hold hands walking back to my place, maybe kissing on the doorstep. If he is watching, he’ll get the idea.” At least I could hope.

  “Well, I guess I owe you that for being such a fabulous dance partner. I hate that it might be the last time we get to dance together.”

  “Don’t do that, partner and bestie of mine. Talk to your mother. Have a heart to heart with your father.”

  “I’d like to,” he said. “But it’s funny how weird he is, how strange he was acting last night. Something was bothering him, his arrogance off. You’d have to spend time with him to understand. We’ve never been close, the man as emotional as a stick, but I’d been right about his hidden agenda. He even was incensed I was so excited about dancing with you.”

  “What?”

  He laughed. “Please. Don’t take it to mean anything. My father obviously had something on his mind. Whatever emails he was getting were making him angry. By the time his chauffeur finally dropped me off at the hotel, he and Mother were arguing.”

  “What did he say about me?” I’d only met the man once, but it hadn’t been the most pleasant experience. That much I did remember.

  “Just that you were a bad seed.” Before I had a chance to snap, he threw out his hand. “Don’t go there. I told you. My father is an asshole. Come on. Why don’t we learn to become lovers.” He winked, trying to make me laugh, but why did his father say that out of the blue? I remained unnerved as we tossed our trash and walked out.

  When he took my hand into his, it felt strange, driving me back to the events from the night before. As we walked hand in hand, he jabbered on about something that I wasn’t paying any attention to. It was difficult not to glance around me, but I did my best to smile and pretend. His grip was firm and I knew he’d made a wonderful beau to some handsome guy one day. I truly hoped he wouldn’t succumb to his father’s wishes, but I had a feeling he would.

  As we turned down the street toward my secured brownstone, I acted as if I needed to tie my shoe, crouching down on the sidewalk and glancing around me.

  “Is he there?”

  “Not that I can see but he could be hiding anywhere.”

  “Maybe you were wrong before. Are you sure nothing happened between the two of you last night?”

  “What if I told you a hot kiss?”

  He stared down at me, his mouth gaping open. “Well, honey. I would say I didn’t know you had it in you.”

  Cringing as I stood, I realized how much I adored being around him. Jonas had a way of making me feel as if nothing bad would ever happen. Or if it did that laughter could fix it. He threw out his hand, waiting to help me stand. As soon as he did, he jerked me into his arms, grinning like the big kid he was.

  “You are one bad girl. I told you to stay away from that man.”

  “You don’t want me with any men. Face it, lover boy.” It was fun to tease him. It was good to feel a little more lighthearted. Things would work out for both of us.

  “Well, darling,” he said as he started to egg on our little charade, “you’re right in that you are all mine.” As he pulled me closer to the front stoop of my secured building, I had a flashback from the night before, Creed telling me I belonged to him. I was suddenly tense, the stranger stalker type series of sensations coursing through me all over again.

  If Jonas noticed, he didn’t say a word, instead playing his part a little too well, planting a big, juicy kiss on my lips then parting them with his tongue. For a man who preferred men, he was a damn good kisser of women, even going so far as to lift me off my feet. I had to admit, if anyone was looking, they’d believe the two of us were together.

  He allowed it to carry on much longer than I thought he would and when he finally pulled away, the grin on his face returned.

  “How was that?”

  “Perfect. You need a boyfriend,” I told him.

  “Tell me something I don’t know. Although…”

  “What are you hiding?” I shoved my hand into my purse to find my keys.

  “Well,” he started, giving me another saucy look he was so famous for. “I decided you might be right about the dating service so I signed up a couple weeks ago.”

  “You didn’t!” I’d been bugging him for a few weeks about it. As happy-go-lucky as he was while around the other dancers, he was as shy as a turtle when it came to dating. Maybe that was because his asshole father had made fun of him so often.