Page 57 of Shattered

What I failed to take notice of back at the shop or even at the benefit when I’d first met him was his demeanor.While he portrayed a man of class and sophistication, there was something darker hidden underneath.He camouflaged it well with his smile and charm, his impeccable designer suit and hair styled just so.But his true nature wouldn’t be tamed for long.While he was attractive, turning many heads I was sure, he was not to be trusted.

Maybe I was being a little paranoid because I felt so guilty meeting with him, knowing full well Alek would be furious.Trying to push all rationale aside, I sat in silence and waited for Cameron to start talking.

“Thank you for coming, Sara.I really appreciate it.”He smiled, and I almost forgot I should be on guard with him.Yeah, that killer smile sure does run in the family.But it didn’t turn my insides to jelly like Alek’s did.Not even close.

Cutting right to the point, I asked, “What did you want to talk to me about, Cameron?What was so pressing you couldn’t tell me in person five minutes ago?”I was anxiously awaiting his response but instead of answering me, all he did was smirk, subtly licking his lips.It wasn’t until he sensed my discomfort did he start talking.

“Did my dear cousin ever tell you why there’s tension between us?”

Okay, where is this going?Was he really concerned for Alek, or was it only a ploy to see me?But why?He knew I was with Alek and I would never betray him.Or did he think he had a shot?I became more uncomfortable as the clock ticked forward.

“No, he never said why.What does that have to do with why you wanted to meet with me?”

He ignored my question, dismissing it as if it wasn’t even relevant.“Let me tell you why he and I don’t care for each other.”Without missing a beat, he launched right into it.“He stole my girlfriend right out from underneath me.”He inched his fingers forward on the table and before I knew what was happening, he snatched my hand and pulled me toward him.I was so shocked, I didn’t even react.It was as if my brain couldn’t comprehend what was unfolding in front of me, like I was in some sort of twisted daze. “And now…I’m going to do the same thing to him.”

I mustered up enough force to dislodge his grasp on me.All of my senses came flooding in like a tidal wave.I stood from the table so quickly my chair slid out from behind me and fell over.

“What are you talking about?There is no way in hell I would ever cheat on Alek, especially with the likes of you.”His attractiveness faded instantly, and what was left behind wasn’t pretty.

As I was about to bolt from the café, he stopped me in my tracks.“Sara, I thought you might feel that way.But it’s okay. All I needed was for him to know we met on the sly.It’s enough of a seed planted to do damage as it unfolds over time.I simply wanted him to have doubts.The rest will play out just like I want it to.”

“Yeah, well, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I’ll never tell him this little meeting took place.And if you try and say otherwise, you won’t win.Who do you think he’ll believe? Your sorry ass or his beloved girlfriend?”

He kicked back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest. “Sorry to burst your bubble, sweetheart, but he probably already knows.”He winked at me and that smug freaking smile crept up on his face again.

I whirled around, searching to see if, in fact, Alek was there with us, but after a quick survey of the patrons, I realized he wasn’t.

Sensing my confusion, Cameron pointed out the window, toward a black sedan parked across the street.When I didn’t say anything, he filled in the missing piece of the puzzle.

“See the car over there?It’s surely one of Alek’s minions, keeping a close tab on you.You see, I checked around and found out you apparently have my cousin all twisted up.He is seemingly protective of you, so I don’t doubt he’s having you watched.”The bastard licked his lips.“You know, just in case.”

All I wanted to do was smack that look off his face.He continued speaking, although his voice was the last thing I wanted to hear, my mind whirling at the information he spit at me. “I wouldn’t be surprised if your phone starts ringing in the next minute or so.”

Please, don’t ring.Please, don’t ring.

Sure enough, thirty seconds later, my phone lit up and Alek’s name was splayed across my screen.It had never seemed so looming before.I sent it straight to voicemail, needing a minute to think before I answered.Maybe he didn’t know anything and was merely calling me between meetings.

Either way, I needed time to recoup.

Glaring at Cameron, I was determined to get some answers.“Why are you doing this to me?What did I ever do to you?I was nothing but nice to you when we met.I don’t deserve this.”I had to control my emotions before they got the better of me and I broke down right in front of the asshole.Not because I was hurt but because I was so angry.I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

“Don’t take it personally, sweetheart.You’re simply a pawn in an ongoing family feud.”

That was his whole reasoning?He didn’t care how he used me to get to Alek; the simple fact he was able to use me at all was his goal.How stupid I was to believe he was really concerned about his cousin.I should have heeded Alek’s warning when he told me the man was no good.

“Don’t ever contact me again, or I’ll call the police and slap harassment charges on you so fast your head will spin.”I ran out of the café and quickly headed back to Full Bloom.

I was in mid-stride when my phone lit up again.

It was Alek.Again.I still needed more time before I answered, realizing, if he really did know, I’d be in a world of shit.Our relationship was already being tested, and I didn’t need to add any fuel to the fire.

In the midst of my phone ringing, a question weighed heavy on me.Was the sedan across the street from the café really someone working for Alek?If so, why in the hell was he having someone follow me?

I won’t know anything unless I answer the phone.

Before I could even make a decision on what to do, a car screeched to a halt right next to me.

~31~

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