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Broadville Port, Maryland
Dee watched in her side mirror as Rena crossed the road and hopped into the passenger’s seat of Dee’s car that night. “Dee.” She opened her arms to hug her but Dee moved away. “I...I missed you. I’m so sorry about everything that’s happened.”
Dee rubbed her thumb on the steering wheel. “If you mean that, help me get Jonathan.”
“How’s your baby?” Rena laid her hand on Dee’s stomach. “I’ve been praying it’s Winston’s child. Jonathan’s talking about it constantly. He’s even thought of baby names.”
“This isn’t his baby.” Dee pushed Rena’s hand away. “Winston and I are getting a DNA test before it’s born to prove it.”
Rena wiggled in the seat. “What if it’s Jonathan’s baby?”
“It’s not.” Dee turned on the interior light, catching the purple bruise on Rena’s chubby cheek. “Jesus. Did Jonathan do that?”
Rena touched her cheek.
“Did he hit you? That son of a bitch.”
“It’s fine.”
“This isn’t okay, Rena. He hit you?”
“I got out of line.” She straightened her red lips. “He was in a bad mood at dinner and I was getting on his nerves.”
“I don’t give a damn what you did. No man has the right to hit you. Jonathan doesn’t own you, Rena.”
“He does, Dee.” Her small, silver hoops dangled from her ears. “There’s no need talking about it. It’s not gonna change anything.”
“You’re not going back in there with that monster. You of all people know what he’s capable of.”
“That’s right.” Rena exhaled, her large bosom jiggling. “That’s why I’ll never leave. It’s less dangerous just staying and keeping my mouth shut.”
“Is this because of me? Is he taking things out on you because you helped me?”
“He no longer trusts me.” Rena pushed a blonde ringlet behind her ear. “He’s obsessed with you more than we could’ve guessed.”
Dee looked forward, heart pounding.
“All he does is think about you and how to get you back. He’s never gonna give up until you’re his.”
“Don’t go back in there. Come with me and you’ll have protection and—”
“A member of The Circle never leaves Jonathan without living to regret it.”
“At least you’d be living.” Dee stared at her. “Right now you’re a prisoner.”
“It’s my life.” Rena grabbed the door. “I gotta get back before someone realizes I’m gone.”
“I wanna get Jonathan on the rape and you’re the only person who’ll help me prove that.”
“He has immunity.”
“For the kidnapping, not everything else. Please, Rena.” Dee took her hand. “I need you.”
She swallowed. “I’ll think about it.”
“That’s not good enough.” Dee sat back. “Choose who you’re loyal to, Jonathan or me. It can’t be both.”
“I wish I could take back everything that happened.” A tear skated down her cheek. “It’s killing me I didn’t help you sooner.”
“Then help me now.” Dee sighed. “Before it’s too late.”
****
“Just a minute.” Lydia dashed to Dee’s front door and checked the peephole.
Someone stood on the porch with their face hidden behind a gorgeous bouquet of assorted flowers. “Special delivery for Dee Quarter,” the man spoke low.
Lydia opened the door. “Dee isn’t home right now but I’ll take those beauties.”
Jonathan lowered the flowers, his lips wearing a lecherous smile. “Hello, Lydia.”
She screamed and tried to slam the door but he slipped his foot in between it. “Get out of here.” She attempted to run, but he grabbed her and slapped his hand over her mouth. “Mm!”
“Sh.” He kicked the door closed. “Just listen.”
“Let me go,” she mumbled underneath his hand, which boasted a bitter aroma from the flowers.
“I just wanna talk to you, Lydia.” He tightened his arm around her waist. “Then I’ll go.”
She stomped on his foot and elbowed him.
“Ah!” He let her go, rubbing his gut. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Get out!” She pulled her phone from her pants pocket as she ran into the living room.
Jonathan raced into the room, leapt on her and got the phone. “Listen! I’m not gonna hurt you.”
“Get out of this house.” She backed up toward the couch, heart pounding and knees knocking. “Don’t you touch me.”
He rushed toward her. “Why are you afraid of me?”
“You kidnapped my sister!” She backed up until she bumped into the mantel. “Stay away from me.”
He stopped by the table, panting. “You’re the only who can help me.”
“What?”
“I need you to talk sense into Deidra. You’re the only one she’ll listen to.”
“You’re crazy.”
“I’m the one suffering. How do you think I feel being kept away from the woman I love when she’s carrying my baby?”
Every ounce of air Lydia owned seeped from her body. “What?”
He tilted his head, that crooked smile appearing. “You didn’t know?”
“You’re lying.” She gave him the once over. “No way in hell my sister would let you near her.”
“Oh yeah?” He inched closer, tiny beads of sweat sprinkling his brow. “She loves me. I keep telling everyone she wanted to be with me.”
“Never.” Lydia shook her head, tightening her lips. “She hates you with every breath in her body.”
“You came to the compound.” He pointed behind him. “You saw how happy she was.”
“You drugged her, you moron. She’ll never love you. Now, if you don’t leave I’m gonna scream so loud everyone in this damn neighborhood will hear me.”
“You don’t understand the effect I have on women, Lydia.” He stared at her lips. “Deidra’s confused but no matter who fights this, we will be together.” He dove forward. “I want you and I to get along.”
She grimaced. “My sister didn’t have sex with you.”
“She did. I’m warning you, Lydia. I’ll stop anyone who gets in the way of me having Deidra.”
She got in his face, holding her waist. “You gonna kidnap her again?”
“Nothing will stop me from having Deidra.” He raised an eyebrow. “How long are you staying in Baltimore?”
“That’s none of your damn business.”
“You staying for good?” He licked his lips. “I hope so. How’s things between you and Cam? Doesn’t he miss you?”
“Leave or you’ll be sorry.”
“Will I?”
She snatched the lamp off the end table. “You want a concussion?”
He smirked, turning away from her. “I’ll go.”
Lydia set the lamp on the table.
Jonathan spun around, grabbing her with such force her entire body shook.
He shoved his thick lips over hers, holding her waist so tight she felt it might break.
She pushed at his solid chest, his slimy tongue making her gag. “No!” She shoved him away and slapped him. “You asshole.”
He chuckled, rubbing his cheek. “Don’t tell me you didn’t enjoy that. I thought you were a woman who loved adventure.”
She lunged at him with her fist raised. “Try it again.”
“Whoa.” He backed away, laughing. “Chill. Save that fire for the next time we meet.”
“Get out!”
He sucked his lip. “I am gonna have you.”
Lydia shivered, trying to put on a tough exterior but his unnerving tone chilled her to her toes.
“And, believe me...” He backed up toward the doorway, his eyes wandering her body. “You’ll love every minute of it.”
He left.