Chapter 36 #2
But then I look down at my wrist and the charm bracelet he gifted me for Christmas that was definitely more than what you’d gift someone you didn’t want living in your house.
When I first opened it, I was in shock that he’d do something so sentimental and sweet.
Though I should’ve figured because this is Tripp we’re talking about here.
He’s nothing if not extra thoughtful. It really outdid the gifts I got him, but he didn’t make me feel guilty about it.
I wear it every day and can’t wait to add the baby’s first initial once I settle on a name.
My next ultrasound is in a few days, and then I’ll get to find out the gender.
I’ve considered looking for a new place since I’ve been able to save money by not paying rent, but I’d need enough for a security deposit and to actually furnish said apartment, plus all the baby stuff. Only my bed and dresser survived Travis’s wrath when he trashed it.
As I scroll through my social media, my phone rings with an unfamiliar phone number. Curiosity gets the better of me, and I pick up.
“Hello?”
An operator asking if I’ll accept a call from the Sugarland Creek jail is the last thing I expect.
My first thought is one of the Hollis boys got arrested, and when they couldn’t get ahold of Tripp, they’d called me. But then a voice I never expected echoes in my ear.
Travis.
No fucking way.
“Maggie, are you there?”
“Depends. Whaddya want?”
“I needed to hear your voice and make sure you’re okay. I’ve been worried sick about you.”
“Worried before or after you broke into my place and trashed it?”
“Baby, no. I didn’t do that. Someone’s after me. You gotta believe me.”
I scowl because of course he’d lie.
“Uh-huh, and who exactly is that?”
“His name is Emilio, and he’s dangerous, baby. I owe him some money, and he went after you to send me a message.”
“Stop with the baby. What the hell are you talkin’ about? Why would he come after me?”
“Because he followed me around for a couple of months and realized you’re someone important to me, which is why I’m tellin’ you to be careful. Now that you’re on his radar, you’re a target.”
So he’s using me to get to Travis? Or was it to get him out of hiding?
And wait—
“When did you get arrested?”
Last I knew, he was still on the town’s wanted list.
“Last night, but they just now allowed me to make a call.”
“And you’re responsible for the robberies?”
“I was tryin’ to get the money to pay him back so he wouldn’t come after you. I was protectin’ you.”
I scoff in disbelief.
“How much, Travis? How much do you owe him?”
This wouldn’t be the first time Travis got himself into money trouble. He likes to place bets he has no business placing.
“It ain’t that much.”
I roll my eyes, growing frustrated. “That’s not what I asked.”
“A hundred.”
“A hundred dollars?” I ask, confused.
“Grand, baby. I gave him half of it already from the money I stole, so he just needs the other half, and he’ll leave us alone.”
“Us? Why am I involved in this?”
“I just told you. He knows you’re my girlfriend, so he’s threatenin’ your life to pressure me to pay him the other fifty. So I thought if I could borrow it from you, he’d leave us alone.”
“First, I’m not your girlfriend or your baby, so stop that. And second, you’re more delusional than I thought if you think I have that kind of money. I lost the majority of my things in my apartment, and I’m a small business owner. I’m not drownin’ in assets here.”
“Can’t you take a loan out on your coffee thing?”
“Hell no. Even if I could or had the means, I wouldn’t give it to you.”
“Maggie, this is serious. He’s gonna come after you worse than messin’ up your place. Next, it’ll be your car or your trailer. Or hell, he could take you.”
My heart beats so hard in my chest I can barely hear him over the pounding.
“Why would he suddenly come for me after months of nothin’?” I ask, trying to piece all of this together.
“Because I was missin’, but now that I got arrested and he knows I’m not dead, he’ll start harassin’ me and you again until he’s paid.”
“Who is this guy?”
“A bookie and he doesn’t play around.”
“Is he the type to wear an all-black suit and drive a Denali?” Flashbacks of that random guy who stopped by months ago hit me.
“Yes, that’s him. He sent me a photo of you workin’, which is why I had to keep stealin’ money. Once I paid him the first half, it held him off for a bit, but he’s gettin’ impatient for the rest.”
“Well, if he comes back around, I’ll just tell him I have nothin’ to do with you.”
He chuckles darkly. “It don’t work like that. He already knows you’re an asset to me and will use you to get what he wants from me.”
I blow out a frustrated breath because this isn’t making a lot of sense to me. “Well, I have nothin’ to offer him.”
“That’s not the point. You offer him leverage on gettin’ what he wants from me. If I hadn’t gotten caught, I have no doubt he woulda done something to you to smoke me out of hidin’.”
Well, that’s not reassuring in the least.
“Speakin’ of which, where’re you stayin’, by the way, since you’re not at your apartment?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“Maggie, I just wanna know that you’re somewhere safe.”
“I am.”
“If you see anything suspicious, run away and call 911.”
Anger boils inside me as the reality of his words crashes into me. “Why do you have to pull me into your bullshit, Travis? Just tell him we’re not together and that you don’t care about me anymore. You’re a pro at lying and manipulating people. I’m sure you can convince him.”
“Yeah, see, it’s kinda hard to do that when you’re walkin’ around with a baby bump. He’s a smart guy to put two and two together.”
My breath hitches, and my heart implodes. There’s no way I heard him correctly.
“Were you gonna tell me?” he asks when I don’t speak.
Sighing, I blow out a defeated breath. “Eventually.”
“So it is mine.” He’s not asking.
My head falls against the couch, wishing I could go back to five minutes ago before I picked up the phone.
“Yeah. But it doesn’t change anything. We’re not gettin’ back together, and I want nothin’ to do with whatever BS you got yourself in. How’d you find out if you’ve been in hidin’?”
“Emilio emailed me photos of you walkin’ around town lookin’ a little plump. He wrote, Turns out you have two assets I can take.”
I snarl at his choice of words. “He’s followin’ me around?”
“I’ve been tellin’ you…and now, he knows you’re knocked up. So if you have the money, it’d keep him off our backs and the baby’s.”
My throat tightens as I fight back angry tears at the mention of my baby.
“I already told you I don’t have that kind of money,” I hiss between my teeth.
“He also had a picture of you with Tripp Hollis.”
“So?”
“You two together?”
“Again, none of your business.”
“Well, I know your little boyfriend has more than enough money to cover fifty grand.”
“How would you know that?”
“Everyone knows the Hollises are loaded. Look at their ranch and all the property they own. It’s the most top-rated equine retreat in the South. Everything they own is the best of the best.”
“Okay, even if his parents are wealthy, doesn’t mean he is.”
“It’s only a matter of time before Emilio connects the dots and comes after Tripp and his family.
They’d be payin’ for their safety and protecting their business without puttin’ a dent in their wallets.
So it’d make things a lot easier just to have ‘em give it to me so I can pay him off right away and no one has to be in danger.”
Fuck me. This is exactly why I broke up with Tripp in the first place.
“They have nothin’ to do with you.”
“If he’s associated with you, he’s a target,” he confirms. “I wouldn’t put it past Emilio to do whatever it takes to get the cash.”
The phone beeps, and Travis sighs. “My time’s running out. I’ll call you in a few days, and I’ll need your decision by then. I’m safer here, so I’m not even gonna try to get bail.”
“Wait, what? You’re leavin’ all the responsibility of this on me and hidin’ in there? You fuckin’ coward.”
“I don’t have the money, Maggie!”
“Neither do—”
The line cuts out before I can finish, and I’m seething before I even set my phone down.
This cannot be happening.