Page 77 of Claiming Becca

“Hey, Shortcake. Are you on your way home?” My heart breaks. Why did I do this? Why was I determined to face this by myself? We were supposed to be celebrating tonight.

“Connor,” I whisper. “I’m sorry.”

“What? Why are you sorry?” he asks, panic in his voice. There’s a knock on my window, and I jump. Shit. How did I not see? “What was that? Are you okay?”

I glance out my window, and an older man is staring at me. I’ve never seen Donovan, but I’m sure this is him. I always expected him to be short, bloated, and bald just because he is horrible. Of course, he’s not, he’s very handsome, and I hate it.

“Get out of the car,” he says.

“Becca, who was that? What the hell is going on?” he asks. I raise my finger to Donovan, and he arches an eyebrow but steps back.

“Get Julian to track my phone,” I tell him.

“What?” He sounds frantic now.

“I’ll try to keep my phone. Make sure he tracks it.” Then I hang up and push it into the back of my pants. I suck in a breath and roll my window down slightly.

He gives me an amused look. “If I wanted you dead, you’d already be dead. Do as I said.”

I force myself to breathe slowly and deeply so I don’t hyperventilate, then slowly get out of the car. All the while, Donovan watches me. I don’t close the door. Instead, I use it as a shield.

“As I said, If I wanted you dead, you would be,” he says calmly. My hands are cold and hot at the same time. I didn’t realize that was possible, and my heart is about to beat out of my chest. I don’t respond. I stare at him, and I’m sure he can see the fear in my eyes.

“You know my stepdaughter.” I freeze at those words. I was not expecting him to say that.

“What?” My voice comes out squeaky. His smile grows, making him even more handsome. How is that fair?

“I need you to give her a message because she’s no longer accepting my flowers.” He unbuttons his jacket and puts his hands in his pockets. It’s a clear maneuver to show me he’s wearing a gun.

I wonder if Connor was able to get my phone tracked. If they could get here, they could get Donovan. But at the same time, I don’t want them to come. What if they get hurt?

“Who’s your stepdaughter?” I ask. His hand comes up to his gun, and my breathing increases.

“Don’t play dumb with me, little girl.” His voice is low and dangerous as he moves closer to me. I shiver with fear but keep my eyes focused on him.

I’m younger than him, and I work out. I could easily outrun him. I think. He stops inches from my door, and it takes everything in me not to bolt.

“Stop thinking about trying to get away. I know you got away once, but it won’t happen again.” He runs a finger down my cheek, and I swallow loudly.

Oh my god. He knows who I am. It’s taking everything in me not to fidget. He takes a step back and runs his thumb over his lip.

“As I was saying. I need you to deliver a message to my stepdaughter.” He watches me, waiting for a response. I nod slightly, but that seems to appease him. “Good choice.” He clears his throat. “Let her know she can’t hide from me. She thinks she’s been hidden all these years, but I’ve watched her. I’ve allowed her freedom, and now that freedom has ended. Tell her I’m coming for her. No one, not even my ex-best friend, can keep me from her.” He pauses.

He knows Victor is protecting her. I force my face to stay passive and not give away any emotion. He buttons his jacket and takes a deep breath. “I’m assuming whoever you were on the phone with will be here soon, so I’ll take my leave.” He begins to walk away but stops at the back of my car. “Make sure you deliver my message. You’ll regret it if you don’t.” With that, he climbs in the backseat of his car, and it pulls away.

My knees give out, and I sit down in my seat. My legs are still out of the car, but I can’t seem to get my body to move. Tears begin to flow, and adrenaline flows into my veins. I begin to shake, and I suck in a breath.

“Oh god. Oh god.” I run my hands through my hair and try to wipe at the tears. The door is suddenly yanked back, and I shriek, trying to crawl backward.

“Shortcake?” It’s Connor. He’s kneeling in front of me. I throw myself into his arms and cling to him.

“I’m so sorry,” I whisper.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

CONNOR

I RACEout the door and jump in my truck. I don’t have to call Julian because Becca and I share our location on our phones, but I call him anyway.

---