She stepped back, her shaking hand going to her forehead. The door didn’t open. She pushed harder until her muscles hurt. Backing herself into the wall, she closed her eyes. Why would Jay put her in here? To protect her?
She tried to force herself to breathe in between gasps of air. Her gaze focused on the monitors. What was happening out there? Leaving the wall, she fumbled to reach out for the remote, almost falling. Her heart thumped madly. Scratching her neck, she prayed Jay was fine, but why would he lock her in? Picking up the remote, she almost stumbled over the chair in front of her before she hit the button. Her eyes flew up to the monitors.
She had to see what happened, mumbling to herself, “Jay has to be okay.”
Blinking, she swallowed harder, needing answers, while she stood watching him on the screen walking back toward the elevators. The light for visitors came on and she peered closer, needing to see.
Jay brushed his pants and squared his shoulders when a man flanked by two more came into the apartment. Her hand went to her mouth to stifle a scream as she frantically searched for her bag. Tripping over her own feet, she found it on the floor and reached for her phone.
“No service” flashed when she picked it up.
Dropping it, she paced while she listened.
The man in charge of the other two motioned for what must be his bodyguards to stand near the elevator. Rocking on her feet, she heard the menace in his voice. “Mr. Marshall, you bought out my business interests.”
Jay’s parents. She almost tripped again. Gripping the chair, she sat down, listening to Jay answer. “I bought out my parents. It’s time they retire. Would you like to sit down?”
The man offered his hand to shake, which Jay took. “Come in. Sit.”
Jay led the man to the dining room table and took his usual chair. The man smiled, pulled out a gun, and laid it down without pointing it. She couldn’t breathe. Not enough air went to her lungs and she became lightheaded. Jay played with his ear, but leaned closer.
The man put his hands in his lap. “Yes. I came to discuss terms. Do you expect to work with me the same as your parents?”
She froze and jerked her head back. Jay’s blue eyes shone clear when he answered, “No. I don’t. I’m shutting down all their projects due to mechanical faults.”
Her skin tingled, though the man captured her attention when he asked, “Which leaves me…?”
Nodding, Jay crossed his legs. “Richer than you were before you threw in with my parents. I doubled your money when the deal was struck to honor your history with my parents.”
The mean leaned back in the chair. “Is this because your mother had us kidnap you a few years back? It was just business, and now we’re willing to negotiate with you.”
Jay shook his head, and Penny had a flicker of a smile on her face. “It is business for me. And good business to force my parents into retirement, taking over all their vested interests. For your generosity to my family, for the past, and to end any future business dealings we might have, I let you in my house to discuss what gift I can give you to cement the deal.”
The man raised his eyebrows and shrugged. “Your mother owned a factory in Mexico. Ensure I get controlling interest, and we’ll never bother you again.”
Jay’s dimples appeared and Penny’s smile brightened. “This includes never contacting me or either of my parents again. Ever.?”
Yes. He was doing the right thing.
The man nodded. “If that is a condition.”
Jay’s piercing eyes and voice froze her. “It is.”
The man stood up, offering his hand. “Then you win. I will not answer if your mother calls.”
Jay shook it and clapped the man on the back. “We have a deal, then.”
Covering her mouth, Penny wrinkled her nose.
The man picked up his gun and put it in his holster while following Jay. “I told your mother kidnapping you was a mistake. She didn’t listen to me.”
Jay scoffed before he shook his head. “She doesn’t listen to anyone. I’ll have the documents sent over this afternoon.”
The man motioned for his men to go with him. “Take care, Mr. Marshall.”
Jay stood, smiling, watching the elevator door close. The tightness in Penny’s stomach gave way to a shaky laugh of her own. Her eyes rolled up and a smile stayed on her lips.
He had done the right thing.
His hands raced through his hair and he stepped closer to her inside their apartment. Penny stared at him, fumbled backward, and dropped the remote. He stood still until she caught herself. She sighed, then he turned on his heels and marched toward his office, and her heart soared. Heat from inside her warmed her hands. She took a deep breath, then she ran to the door to follow him inside, again, but the blasted door didn’t budge.
“Pen.” She gazed back to the monitor looking into his office, as he called through the speaker, “Go to the food pantry. Under the canned spaghetti, you’ll find the key.”
She looked all around the room and spotted the pantry. She reached inside the drawer, and her hands clenched a set of keys. She held on to the metal handle for a second, then removed her keys. Then she spun around on her heels and unlocked the door.
She ran into his arms and drew him into a hug. He kept her close and rocked her. Her heart raced and she hugged him back. Without saying anything, she listened to him breathe deeper. Her own pulse raced, and her heart banged in her chest.
He squeezed her tight against his chest again. “I didn’t want you here for this.”
Nodding, she stepped away a little, though she kept his hand in hers. “Clearly.”
His eyes closed when he shook his head. “I’m sorry.”
Reaching her hand up this face, she traced his chin, landing on his cheek, while she smiled. “You didn’t go into business with them.”
He rubbed his cheek on her hand, whispering, “I couldn’t, Sexiness.”
Her heart caught in her throat and her heels lifted her closer to his face. “Why?”
Taking her hand off his face, he kissed the palm before letting her hand go. “Because you told me not to.”
Curling her hand to her side, she met his eyes and hesitated. She’d never be her mother. She couldn’t do it to him. “Jay, I’m proud of you, but—”
He nodded and stepped back. “Penny, I need those plans you were working on done and ready to announce at five.”
Her breathing normalized. She’d help him. He deserved to have it all. She relaxed her shoulders and her feet itched to go. “Okay. I’ve found some serious issues already. I’ll go back to work and send everything via email before I come home.”
Turning away from her, he stared out the window. “That will be amazing. I have to finish this publicly, but please be home in time for dinner. My mother will likely pay us a visit, and I don’t want to see her.”
“I’ll be here.”
Walking away from him and heading to the elevator did not stop her heart from racing. And so what that her feet bounced and she realized with a start she hadn’t had a bite of lunch She’d get him those files. He’d win against his controlling mother. One of them had to.