Part 10 (2/2)

”Eight billion? Like in an eight and nine zeros, eight billion? Holy f.u.c.k! Can I borrow a couple million?” Morgan asked.

”Sure. I don't need that much money. I mean, who does? That's why I am going to hire your husband. I want to make sure that I can help people like me with it. And James said you head up a charity event every year that helps abused children, Mrs. Parker. I hope you'll let me contribute to it.”

”Call me Margaret, dear. Contribute? I'm hoping you, like the rest of my daughters, will help run it. I'm getting old. I need to leave it to others to run. I don't suppose you know how long I have to live, do you? Just kidding. I would love for you to help, love.”

”Mrs...Margaret, you will live beyond your years and have a special place in many people's hearts too. My grandmother said you were one of the most influential women she ever met and that you could squeeze a dime out of the tightest politician. She loved working with you and was saddened when you stopped coming to the flower club.”

”Good heavens, I hadn't thought of that group of women in years. We should start one. Oh, Dane, what a lovely idea. You'll be in charge. Devin said you have the room at your house.

Morgan, you'll be the treasurer; Taylor, you can make sure the members are top notch. Ronnie, you will be the secretary and take the notes at the meetings. Yes, this will be wonderful. I'll spread the word.”

The rest of the afternoon was spent planning with Margaret making sure everyone was included in the new club. When Jamie and the other men came in, the only one with a bloodied nose was Damon. He'd gotten knocked over when Devin was tossed over Byron's shoulder.

It was much later than any of them had ever stayed at their mother's, but everyone agreed it was certainly the most entertaining. It was well after three o'clock in the morning when Jamie and Dane returned back to the house. Pi left a note saying that she was calling the utilities in the morning and if she forgot someone, to let her know. Dane looked at the note.

”Do you think we'll get the power turned over to our name or will they think we're invading China? I did it the last time. I'm not so sure she should be in charge of this.”

”I'll do it,” Jamie said as he took off his shoes. ”I have an early cla.s.s, but I'm free after ten.

Let me take it and I'll call them then. Tell her that I wanted to do it. Then tomorrow night, we go ring hunting. Then we'll have dinner. My mother hound you much about a date?”

”Sort of. She wants to wait until the gardens bloom to see if she wants to have it here. I never thought, well, maybe I did, but the gardens here are a show case all summer. Or at least they used to be.”

”Good, that'll give us a few months anyway. I'm exhausted, baby. Are you coming to bed?

I'm too tired to want to do more than hold you. You've worn me out these past few days.”

”No. I can't sleep. I don't usually go to be before eight in the morning. I'll be up by noon if you want to have lunch together. Pi and I are going to see your brother about the money and stuff.”

She followed him to their bedroom and lay down next to him. He was so warm and when he pulled her into his arms and snuggled closer, she felt loved. After she was sure he was sound asleep, she got up and went to the pool house.

The building was suitable for what she needed. It was far enough away from the house so that she could get her distance, yet close enough she wouldn't feel unsafe. The windows weren't as long or as wide as she would have liked for them to be, but they could be changed. When she sat on the little wicker chair and looked around, she saw the note.

”Danish, I'm sorry, dear, to leave you all this, but I knew that you would need this house more than anyone else. The money is for you as well. Use it in good health.

I want you to find yourself a good man and get married. Fill this house with lots of children and children's laughter. You're a wonderful woman and I know you'll figure it out. Babies will make you happy, you always made me happy with every smile you gave me. Love, your grandmother.”

Dane read it twice more, lay back against the pillow, and closed her eyes. Picking up the book that lay next to her, she rubbed it and felt her grandmother-and her plans for the pool house. Smiling, she sat for a little while longer and went into the house. Her grandmother was the greatest.

*CHAPTER 19*.

Dane went to the mall first. For as much as she hated it, the early afternoon wasn't as crowed. Besides, they needed linens and other things for the bathrooms. Pi was at the other end buying out the kitchen store. It was just after two when she felt a stir. Before she could turn around, the gun was pointed at her head. She couldn't react quick enough to defend herself.

”h.e.l.lo, Dane,” Markus said softly. ”You should have returned my calls. I needed you to help me find some of those people. But now, because of you, I had to kill them. Come along nicely and I won't hurt you too much.” She started to raise her hands and he slapped her.

With her arm wrenched behind her back, he led her out of the store and toward his car. She was terrified that he'd find Pi, or worse, Pi would find them. James was still at work and would be for another two hours.

”I'll come with you, but I have to call someone. My boyfriend. I have to call him. He'll come looking for me and then I won't be able to go anywhere.” Dane could feel Markus' insanity. She could also feel that he had indeed murdered some people. She couldn't get a hold on any one person. His mind was jumbled and too hard to see into.

”Boyfriend? Oh no, that won't do. You and I are going to be together for a long time and he'll just get in the way. You should have come to me when I asked, Dane. If I have to hurt him, too, it'll be your fault. We are going to be a team. I'll bring you the stuff and I'll go and find them with your help. I'll be famous.” He grinned at that. ”The greatest detective in the world, they'll call me. I'll be paid millions to do what you give away.”

”Markus, this isn't right. You know that. Someone one will figure-” The slap caught her off guard and nearly threw her to the ground.

”Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! I told you time and time again that people would pay and when you wouldn't...well, someone had to take the money. But when you stopped calling me back and that b.i.t.c.h woman wouldn't give you the phone, I knew it was time to make a change.” She decided to try and be firmer. ”I need to call Jamie. I need to tell him that I'm not coming back home. He'll not understand if I don't. Please, Markus, let me call him.” He had shoved her in the back of a van and she slammed her head against one of the walls.

She knew she had to stay on her toes or he'd kill her. She wondered how he planned on getting her back on a plane with the gun when he answered her unasked question.

”I had to leave Nevada quick and I decided to settle here. No one knows me but you, and that b.i.t.c.h Pi has never seen me, so I'll be safe. This is because you didn't call me back. It's all your fault, yep, all your fault. I couldn't find that man's b.i.t.c.h of a wife and kid. Anthony Ormond does not like to lose what he thinks of as his.” He hit her with his fist again and she had to fight to keep focused. ”You call that boyfriend and you tell him that you're not coming home.

Tell him you decided not to see him anymore.”

”We...he asked me to marry him. I can't just-” The gun hit her this time along the side of her jaw.

”Now look what you've made me do. You need to learn to speak when spoken to.” He threatened her again by lunging at her. ”I'll tell you what to say and when to say it. Now, you'll call your boyfriend and tell him you want to break it off. You're not going to marry him.” He handed her his cell phone, but she was too dizzy to see the numbers. He jerked it from her hand and dialed what she said. When it started to ring, she prayed she'd be able to convey a message to James without alerting Markus.

”h.e.l.lo. Grant. How may I help you?”

”Jamie, it's Danish Message. I called to tell you I've decided to call off the wedding.”

”Dane? What's going on? What do you mean call off the wedding? Baby, what's happening?”

”Nothing is happening. I've decided that I don't want the ring you gave me after all. I want something closer to what I had before. Mark my words. What you gave me is nothing like I had.

I also don't want to have your...I decided that I don't want to carry your kids either. You can find another brood mare to do that s.h.i.+t for you.”

”I see. Is there anything else?” His voice sounded so cold it was breaking her heart.

”Yes. Tell Pi she was right all along. Everything she said...all of it was true. And tell her that I love her very much.”

”Sure, you break it off with me and tell the housekeeper you love her. That sounds about like you. Well, thanks for telling me. I'll pet the cat for you while I'm at it too, all right?”

”Yes. The cat. I forgot about the cat. I'd like that. It's the least you could do considering.” She closed the phone and her eyes. He got it. She was sure of it. Now she just had to hang on until he found her.

”You are one cold hearted b.i.t.c.h.” He stroked her cheek. ”d.a.m.n, remind me to never get into a p.i.s.sing contest with you. You are vicious. I love it. You showed more compa.s.sion for that d.a.m.ned foreigner and cat than you did him.”

This time when he hit her, she couldn't stay afloat. He hit her with his fist again and then her head hit the side of the van. She felt the void rush up to meet her and hoped again James could find her.

Jamie picked up his landline in his office and called Cait. He wasn't afraid that Spencer would be mad about him calling his wife when she just got home from the hospital. He was more afraid of her anyway. She carried a gun and she knew how to use it. He could shoot as well, but she was better.

”Cait, Dane's been kidnapped. I think I might know who did it, but I have to find Pi. The two of them were headed to the mall this afternoon. If he took her from there, then that's where Pi is.”

”Who is it and I'll get an APB out on him.” Jamie could have kissed her. ”How long ago did it happen? I don't suppose she gave you his name too, did she?”

”I don't know his name, but I'm willing to bet Pi does. Dane said that Pi had been right all along. About everything.” Jamie hoped he was right anyway.

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