Page 78 of Caught in the Crossfire

When she hesitated, Mason stilled. “Nicole?”

“I thought I saw him a few days ago, but I thought I imagined him when I didn’t seem him again. I haven’t talked to Ivan since I dumped him two years ago.”

He considered what she said and what she omitted. “Has he contacted you recently?”

Another scowl. “He left phone messages and sent emails, all of which I deleted without responding.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because he doesn’t matter. Ivan is part of my distant past, one I have no intention of revisiting under any circumstances. I didn’t think he’d come to Otter Creek, especially since he received no contact or encouragement from me.”

“When did you think you saw him?”

“About the time Riva was killed.” She glanced toward the kitchen. “He couldn’t have killed her. Ivan didn’t have a motive.”

Mason could think of one good motive. To send him back to prison and get him out of Nicole’s life, leaving the field clear for Ivan. He brushed his thumb gently over her bottom lip. “If I wasn’t in the picture, would you take him back?”

“Never. I learned my lesson the hard way.”

Mason’s eyes narrowed. “What does that mean?”

“Nothing. I’ll go sit with Dawn. She’s watching the security screens.”

When she tried to free herself, Mason stilled her movement with an arm around her waist. “He hurt you?”

The stubborn woman remained silent, a mutinous glare coming from her beautiful eyes.

“I can find out the truth.” Favors he could call in at Fortress. “I’d rather hear it from you.”

“I don’t want you to overreact.”

Whatever happened wouldn’t be good if she worried he’d lash out. “Tell me.”

“He pressured me to give him money since he was strapped for cash, and I refused. I had plans even then to start my own business, and I’d set money aside for that purpose. Ivan accused me of being a controlling and selfish witch for refusing to help him over a rough patch.” She fell silent again, cheeks turning pink.

“Go on,” he prompted.

Nicole scowled. “The argument became heated and he….”

“What did he do?” Although he could guess.

“He hit me.” She grabbed his arms and held on. “An open-handed slap. That was the one and only time. I broke up with him the next day, and that was the end of it.”

“Did you file charges against him?”

She shook her head. “I didn’t want to press charges for assault since I punched his nose in retaliation. If I filed assault charges, so would he.”

That gave him a small measure of satisfaction. “Let me go, sweetheart,” Mason said evenly. He looked toward the kitchen. “I want two minutes with your ex.”

“No.” Nicole tightened her grip. “The police are up the street. You can’t touch him, baby. You’ll be the one who pays the price, not him.”

“He hurt you.”

“Two years ago. Mason, please don’t do this. He’s not worth the grief you’ll get from Ethan. I’m asking you to let it go for me.”

“Josh is here,” Dawn called from the security room.

Mason placed a gentle kiss on her mouth. “Go answer the door.”

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