Page 27 of Wanted

“Don’t you mean ex-fiancée?” I returned her nasty scowl, glarefor glare.

“No, sweetheart,currentfiancée. We recently got back together, as I knew we would. So you see, honey,he no longer has any need for you.”

Isowanted to punchher in the face. How dare she walk into my shop and spew such word vomit at myfeet. She had some real nerve.

While anger flushed my face, my heart was breaking, a little bitfor each second I stood in her presence. Before Alek started acting funny, Iwould have said she was crazy. There was no way in hell he’d ever take herback. He hated even talking about her. But my head was telling me to becareful. There was something amiss, and I needed to find out exactly what itwas.

Don’t show all your cards. Don’tlet your guard down.

“I don’t believe you. He would never take you back, especiallynot after what you did to him,” I spat, backing up. If I didn’t put somedistance between us, I was going to be hit with assault charges.

A quick look of shock crossed her face but was quickly replacedby disgust, as if I was nothing, and even having to explain anything to me atall was beneath her.

Completely ignoring my statement, she glanced around my shop inboredom. Finally, she turned her stare back in my direction.

“Woman to woman, I’m giving you the courtesy up-front to let youknow Alek is done with you because he’s come to his senses. Finally. He’s doneslumming,” she declared haughtily.

It took all of my reserve not to jump on her and tackle her tothe ground. I envisioned snatching her by the hair and punching her in theface, maybe even breaking her perfect little nose. My thoughts ran rampantinside my head, helping to contain some of my anger. I couldn’t be arrested formerely thinking it.

“Are you done?” I was able to pull off a calm tone, even thoughinside I was a mess. As she flicked her hand in my direction, I caught sight ofthe huge rock on her ring finger. She noticed, the smirk on her face provingso.

She rotated her hand back and forth, allowing the ring to catchthe light and practically blind me. “He gave this back to me last night. Hesaid he carried it with him at all times, hoping I would come back to himsomeday.”

When she saw my face fall, she grinned. She was done. She hadaccomplished what she set out to do, which was to hurt me.

“You need to leave now. Don’tever step foot in my shop again.”

“Fine by me, as long as you stay away from my fiancé.”

“Get out!” I shouted. She laughed as she sauntered out the frontdoor.

As soon as she was gone, Megan walked into the front of the shop,no doubt having heard some sort of commotion. “Are you okay, Sara?”

“I will be, Megan. I will be,” I repeated, not entirely believingmy own words. Grabbing my purse and keys from the back room, I rushed to leave.“Megan, can you ask Matt to close up for me when he comes back? Please. Tellhim I’ll talk to him later.”

“Sure thing,” she answered as the door closed behind me.

Rushing to my car, I immediately dialed Alek’s number. It wentstraight to voicemail. When I tried his office, his secretary told me he was ina meeting and wasn’t to be disturbed for any reason.

I raced home in hopes Alexa was there so I could tell hereverything.

I needed someone to talk to and since I couldn’t reach the oneperson I needed most, my best friend was the next best choice.

~19~

Alek

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

What the hell is thatsound?Still groggy from passing outdrunk, I couldn’t wrap my head around where the irritating noise was comingfrom. I closed my eyes again in hopes it would stop.

Buzzzzzzzzzzzz.

My lids parted again, trying to figure out where I was before Ieven attempted to get up. Taking a few deep breaths, the room spinning aroundme, I made to stand up but instead fell on my ass.

Goddamn it! That hurt.

Buzzzzz.I glanced overat my phone, but it wasn’t making any noise. The only other thing it could be wasthe front gate.

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