Smoke and Embers by Taylor Anne

Author:Taylor Anne [Anne, Taylor]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, suspense, drugs, beach, friends to lovers
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2017-10-17T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Sallie arrived a little early, the guests were out for the evening, and Brooke was ready to go meet her friends. She poured a glass of wine and walked outside, down toward the waters’ edge. The fresh open air would help her relax on the way to Tucker’s. She was halfway there when someone grabbed her upper arm and pressed something into her side. She yelped and tried to pull away, but this man was stronger than she was.

“Shut up and keep walking.”

Brooke froze. Her heart rate increased. Blood pumped through her body so fast, she could feel it throbbing in her head.

“I said walk.” The bald man beside her lifted the edge of a towel, revealing a smooth black barrel.

Spots floated in front of Brooke’s eyes. She forced herself to take a deep breath to try and calm herself. That didn’t do much good at all. She looked around the beach only to find everyone engulfed in their own worlds. This man held a gun to her side, and no one around noticed anything out of the ordinary. Surely he wouldn’t shoot her in front of other people.

Mustering up the last bit of courage she had, Brooke jerked her arm hoping to free it of his grip. He squeezed tighter, cutting off her circulation.

“What do you want?” She could hear the fear in her own voice.

“Money. Your husband owes me a lot.” Brooke had to fight hard to focus on the man’s words. He would follow through on his threats if she tried to cause a scene.

“I…I will see what I can do.” That was the only thing she could think of to say to his demands of her paying him what Kyle owed.

They walked a little farther down the beach. Then the man turned her in his arms, pressed the gun into her stomach, and grabbed one of her breasts with his free hand. Brooke cringed. Her stomach roiled with nausea. She tried to take a step back. The click of metal stopped her in her tracks.

“Play the game, lady, and you won’t get hurt.” He squeezed her breast hard. She sucked in a harsh breath at the pain his fingers caused on her tender flesh. He put his hand behind her head, drawing her face close to his. She bit her lips together as his covered hers in a harsh kiss. As soon as he pulled his mouth off hers, she spit on the ground next to them. Vile and disgust scorched her.

In a split second the man was gone. He blended in with other people on the beach. Brooke tasted the saltiness of her tears as she trudged forward in the sugary sand.

****

Mike scanned the bar every time the door swished open. He hadn’t heard from Brooke since their texting conversation. As much as he wanted to call her, he knew he would see her at the bar, so he gave her some space. Besides, she was probably busy with her guests. He admired her business dedication.

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