Chapter 28
The woman standing before them was stunning. A beauty that was deep in the ridges of her spectacular cheekbones and pouty pink lips. Her legs were long and lean in slim-fitting denim.
“Hey, Cassie. Good to see you again.” Nick shot a look over his shoulder at Poppy. He then grabbed a handful of her sweater and tugged hard so she staggered forward. Slipping an arm around her waist, he then anchored Poppy to his side.
Cassie’s eyes slid over her. She wished she’d taken the time to put on something more flattering than Aunt Jenny’s old green sweater. She called it her comfort sweater. It’d had a lot of use in the last few years.
“This is Poppy, my friend,” Nick said.
Cassie’s eyes widened. “Get the hell out of here!” She squealed like a child.
“You’re Poppy Sylvester!”
“She is,” Nick said.
Looking up at him, Poppy saw his dimple. He seemed pleased that Cassie was excited to meet her.
“I love your books!” Cassie did a little hop and another squeal. “I cannot believe I get to meet you. Best day ever!” She punched the air.
“It’s nice to meet you too.” Poppy found a smile. She loved meeting her fans—even Nick’s old girlfriend.
“I tried to get to your signing, but work was crazy.”
“I have a book with me, shall I sign that for you?”
“Really?” Cassie looked like a kid at Christmas.
Poppy dove back into Nick’s car and grabbed the book she’d brought with her.
She always reread the last book she wrote while working on the next one.
It was one of her quirks, just to make sure she didn’t double up on anything and, if Poppy used the same characters, that her descriptions were right.
“Is that your latest?” Cassie asked when she returned.
“It is. Have you read it?”
The woman nodded. “But on my e-reader. If you’re going to sign that for me, then it’s a hell yes!
“What do you want me to write on this?”
“Just to Cassie is amazing. Thank you.”
“So, Cass, you still in security?” Nick asked her while Poppy autographed the book.
“I am. Do you need some?”
“I might, but I’ll let you know.”
Poppy had a feeling she was the person Cassie would watch, but she didn’t comment.
“Here you go.” She handed over the book.
“Thanks so much, Poppy, and if you need me, Nick, just call. You have my number. Now I’m going in there.” She pointed to the coffee shop. “They do the best caramel macchiato and have huge chocolate chip cookies.”
Cassie hugged him and then Poppy, hard, and walked away.
“How long did you two date?”
“Not long.”
“Why? She looks perfect for you?” Poppy said.
He spun her to face him, and suddenly there were only inches separating them. “If she was perfect for me, then what are you?”
“Trouble,” Poppy whispered, lookinginto his whiskey-brown eyes. “Nick?—”
“I’m getting tired of this conversation, so cut it out.” He glared at her. “No more, Poppy. We’re in this together.”
She clamped her lips into a line.
“Good girl.”
“I really have to do some writing today, Nick. Can I sit in the car with it locked? Or even in there?” She pointed to the coffee shop that Cassie said had great chocolate chip cookies.
He cupped her face and gave her a hard kiss. Then, taking her hand, he towed her across the street and into the building. Once there, he walked inside and looked around. It was small, and most of the tables were full. Luckily, someone was just leaving the one in the window.
“If I sit here, I can see everyone coming and going,” Poppy said.
Nick checked the view by sitting where she would. “See that building right there?” He jabbed a long finger in the direction of a small portable office at the building site. “I’ll stand in the window. Wave if you need me.”
“I’m sure I’ll be fine. After all, there will be coffee and chocolate chip cookies.” She smirked at him. “And I’ll eat at least two before you return.”
“You have a smart mouth. Now be a good girl and don’t move. I mean it, Poppy.”
“I promise,” she said solemnly.
“Any trouble or phone calls, you come and get me. No chances, okay?”
“Okay, and I promise to do everything you said, but as Denton is in custody and Malcolm Davy is at his house miles away, I’m safe, Nick.”
He studied her and then said, “You’re important to me, Poppy. You understand that, right?”
She nodded, her heart thudding hard.
“I know this has been an odd way to start a relationship, but this is that for me now, baby.” He kissed her again. “I need you to stay safe.”
“’Kay,” she whispered. “And same.”
“Same?” He raised a brow. “You’re meant to be the wordsmith out of the two of us.”
“I’m a little off-balance right now, and what you said was perfect.”
His smile was a thing of beauty, as was his dimple. “Behave” was Nick’s parting word before he walked away in that slow, easy stride he had. Just watching him made her sigh.
Mine, she thought with a smile of pure feminine delight.
“We’re in this together,” he’d said, and it was time she understood that. Understood if she left, he’d find her now because he cared. Maybe it really was time to stop running and start fighting. Not just think it but do it.
Denton was in custody, and they were watching Davy. Is this nightmare nearly over?
Poppy ordered coffee and four chocolate chip cookies to go for Nick. He could have three. She was eating one now because Cassie was right. They looked amazing.
Poppy sat, drank her coffee, and worked. The words were flowing, which surprised her considering the turmoil in her life. But then Nick had just said she was important to him, and she was allowing herself to have hope from this moment on.
“Is there a Poppy Sylvester in here?” the barista asked. He was holding out a portable phone. “I have a call for you.”
“Me.” Poppy rolled her eyes. She just bet it was Nick, making sure she was behaving. Although she’d be telling him that putting a call to the coffee shop, not her cell phone, a five-minute walk from where he stood was crazy. “Sorry about this,” she said, taking the phone.
“All good,” the guy said.
“Hello, Nick.”
“Not Nick, but if you want him to stay safe, Poppy, you need to listen to me.”
“Malcolm?” Shock had her gripping the phone hard enough so the edges bit into her palm.
“Walk to the window.”
Heart pounding, she did as he asked.
“Do you see a white van parked outside the coffee shop?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“I have someone in there who is an excellent shot, and he’s got a gun pointed at your fuck buddy. I don’t want to make a scene, but I will if you don’t do asI say. Only you can ensure that Nicholas Atherton stays alive, Poppy.”
“Wh-what do you want?”
“I think you know by now what I want. I’m not in the van, but the men inside will bring you to me, so listen carefully.”
“How did you find me?”
“I’ve had someone following you, Poppy. They report to me where you are. When I realized you were finally alone, I paid those men a lot of money to grab you now.”
“No,” Poppy whispered, feeling the desperation claw at her throat.
“Yes, or he’s dead. Get inside the van. Try nothing foolish. Two minutes, Poppy. Your time starts now.”
She disconnected the call and hurried to the counter, where she handed the phone back to the man. “Listen to me and do nothing but smile,” Poppy said quickly.
He looked wide-eyed back at her.
“Go to that portable office across the road and tell Nick Atherton that Malcolm Davy has Poppy. White van,” she said. “I’m going to get in that.” She then turned and walked out the door, praying he would do what she asked.
The van door slid open as she approached. A hand grabbed her, and then she was pulled inside and forced down face-first on the floor. Seconds later, they were driving away from Nick, and she knew that she’d never see him again.