Page 77 of The Red-Hot Stakes

And I knew Wendy was dead. A chill ran through me at his nonchalant delivery of that news, as if taking a life meant nothing to him.

“The longer you wait, the higher the stakes. Who’s next, Gina?”

The back of my neck prickled, and I wondered if he was nearby, watching the fire, watching my reaction. I tried to keep my voice from shaking but my fingers trembled as I clutched my phone. “What do you want?”

He laughed, an empty, hollow sound. “I want Liam to suffer like I have. He took everything from me, so I’m just returning the favor.”

“Liam wouldn’t do that.”

“Well, he did,” he snarled. “And he will pay. He’s already started to—now it’s up to you how long this continues.” His tone turned taunting. “So, Gina, should I call the police, let them know where they can find the gas can that started the fire? The one that has Liam’s fingerprints all over it? Or the pair of his shoes that were worn when I poured gas all around?”

I gasped. “You stole them from his truck!” To frame Liam.

“Very good. You’re finally catching on.” He chuckled again. “So what do you say? Arson should be reported, shouldn’t it? And if they find out about the weakened structure of the basement that would have taken thousands of dollars to fix, well…” He paused, letting the words sink in. “Sounds like a decent motive to me.”

I couldn’t answer, could hardly think with all the pressure building inside of me. My chest tightened, my stomach was in knots. This is it. This is the other shoe that’s been dangling over my head all this time.

My coworker was dead. This man was actively trying to ruin Liam and had already threatened my best friend. I stared at the flames, overwhelmed with the gravity of the choice I faced.

“Tell you what, I’ll give you until tomorrow morning to decide. I’ll say…eleven. Expect my call.” The snarl returned. “And remember, this stays between us. Don’t forget what I’m capable of.” Then he hung up.

The blazing fire lit the night sky, consuming every last bit of hope and happiness inside me. Until there was nothing left but bitterness and resignation.

Liam finally returned. “Wendy’s dead.” His voice cracked as he said it. “She must have fallen and hit her head…or the arsonist attacked her.”

I wrapped my arms around him, feeling just as broken as he looked.

“There’s nothing more we can do here. Ready to go home?”

The word home pierced my already wounded heart, and I could only nod. It was yet another thing that would shortly be ripped away if I gave into the madman’s demands.

At the apartment, we hopped in the shower to rid ourselves of the permeating smell of smoke. We washed each other, making love against the shower wall and again in the bedroom, both of us hurting, both of us desperate. Liam fell asleep almost instantly after we finished.

I just lay there, staring at the ceiling as my mind ran through my limited options.

If I stayed with Liam—the love of my life, my safe place, the person I could count on to catch me no matter what—I’d condemn him to a life of suffering, perhaps even death. The arsonist had enough evidence for Liam to be thrown into jail.

But I could prevent that—by ripping out my heart and breaking up with Liam. Tears burned against my eyes as the ominous weight of what I had to do dangled precariously over me.

Finally, I could stand it no more. Throwing on some clothes and shoes, I wandered outside as the sun rose higher in the sky. I found myself outside Eat at Joe’s and went in despite not being hungry.

Sally greeted me by name, peering behind me for Liam, but I shook my head. Our usual booth was open, so I slid in out of habit. I wouldn’t be able to come here for quite some time if I gave in to the blackmailer’s demands.

“What can I get you, sugar?” Sally asked.

“I don’t know. Surprise me.”

She frowned but took the menu and bustled away.

While I waited for my food, I revisited my options. If I told Liam or the police about the phone calls, someone would get hurt. Most likely Avery—if the arsonist’s threats were any indication, and he’d killed Wendy, so I had no reason not to believe him. If I didn’t break up with Liam, he could go to jail for arson.

What will happen if I don’t break up with him, even after he goes to jail? What will the madman come up with next?

It wasn’t fair. I was finally happy and could see myself spending the rest of my life with Liam. I sighed. The circumstances piled up as evidence of my curse. This wouldn’t happen to anyone else.

Ultimately, I had the power to keep Liam out of jail and spare him from further suffering. How could I say no to that? What lengths wouldn’t I go to if I knew I could protect him? I’d rather he be broken-hearted and free than in love and locked away for a crime he didn’t commit.

Sally plopped a plate of food in front of me, as well as an overflowing vanilla shake. “You look like you could use one.” Then she surprised me further by sitting down. “What’s going on, Gina?”

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