Page 107 of Secret Billionaire

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Faye grabbed at the envelope taped to her door before it blew away. She unlocked and went inside taking off her drenched clothing in the foyer. The letter had stayed dry under the cover of the storm door, but by the time she got inside it was soggy and her written name smeared almost beyond recognition. The whole condo rattled as the wind howled outside. The forecasters had predicted it would only reach a level two by the time it made land. They didn’t call for an evacuation, since the storm was losing steam rather than gaining in intensity. Still, one hundred-mile-per-hour winds were nothing to scoff at, but they didn’t feel it was necessary to evacuate and move inland.

The hurricane was expected to hit land sometime late evening but even now the rain was torrential, coming down so heavy you couldn’t see your own hand in front of your face. It was eerie. Jesse was taking last minute precautions to batten down Ruby and Hank’s house. Maddy was on her way home and due any minute. She hated being alone in this storm. She headed to the bathroom to towel dry her hair then changed into some dry clothes.

After putting the tea kettle on the stove, she picked up the letter, her chest heavy with dread. Her hands shook slightly as she opened the card. ‘My Dearest Faye. I had to make contact with you, to say goodbye. I thought by moving here temporarily I could convince you of how much I love you and what lengths I’m willing to go to win you back. But I can see that you are happy and in love. I’ve finally accepted it, and I want that for you. I’m sorry…for everything. I lost the only thing that ever mattered to me. It was never about the money. It was always you and I’m sorry I ever gave you a reason to doubt that. You will always be my biggest regret. I’d like to see you one last time before I leave. Please. For old time’s sake. Forever yours, J.’

The kettle whistled, and she poured the boiling water over her herbal tea bag. She added honey and waited for it to steep. She didn’t know what to think of the note. There was no way in hell she was going to meet with him, but could it actually be true? Was he leaving? She hadn’t realized how much anxiety she’d been burying until she felt the relief sweep through her body. Suddenly the door opened and Maddy entered drenched to the bone and looking like a drowned rat.

“Oh my God! It is wicked out there. You can’t see an inch in front of your face.”

“I know I just got home myself. Let me go get you a couple of towels.”

She reached for the towels and suddenly remembered that she hadn’t boarded up the large window in the back of the bar. Dammit! It would only take about fifteen minutes tops.

“Maddy I forgot to board up the large back window. Will you go over there with me?”

“Are you nuts? I’d just leave it.”

“If we go now, we’ll beat the worst of the squall and we can get back before Jesse gets here. I’ve got everything ready for our hurricane lock down party, alcohol, flashlights, candles, snacks, cards and games…all ready and waiting.”

“I still don’t think it’s a smart idea.”

“I can’t just leave it! We’ve put so much work into the place, I’d feel sick if it got destroyed over my stupid mistake.”

“Fine, I’ll go. I’m not letting you go alone. Let’s get this over with.”

“Let me leave a note for Jess, then I’m ready.”

She scrawled a quick message for Jesse, and they ran outside. The front door was suddenly ripped out of Faye’s hands and slammed back violently against the wall. The street was deserted, not a car or person in sight. Her hair whipped painfully against her face and she was drenched to the bone within seconds. She and Maddy held hands as they made a run for it. The rain stung as it pelted her skin and the wind pushed them back. Faye felt like she was trying to go up on a downward moving escalator. She imagined that a gale might pick them both up bodily and blow them out to sea. Maybe this wasn’t such a smart idea.

Trash blew around and the trees were bent so far over that it was a miracle they didn’t break or completely uproot. And this was a level two. She’d witnessed the aftermath of a level three and it had been devastating to their community. They finally made it to her vehicle. She gripped the steering wheel tightly, her shoulders knotted with tension as she drove the three blocks to her bar. The car was being blown about and she prayed it would get them there safely.

She pulled right up to the entrance and hunkering down, they raced to get inside as quickly as possible. The whole building creaked and shook, and she could hear banging from something that had blown loose outside.

She flipped the light switch, and nothing happened. “Damn Mads the electricity is out. Hold on I have a mag light behind the bar.” She felt her way along until she found the flashlight.

“Let there be light. Thank God!” Maddy said.

“Follow me,” Faye led the way to the storage room to grab the plywood and cordless drill. It was right where she’d left it. Now that she was here though, she wondered if she and Maddy could even do the job by themselves. With the wind they probably wouldn’t be strong enough to secure the board and drill at the same time. It would be hard enough under good weather conditions. Nope, this was an exercise in futility. Change of plans. We’re going home!

“Mads not my brightest move. I think this is a hopeless cause. I’m sorry.”

“I agree. Let’s get home. Dry clothes, a bourbon and coke, a few games sound like heaven.”

As they walked out of the back storage room, the front door banged open. Thinking it was from the wind, they both screamed when a figure came toward them in the dim light. The man came towards Faye and raised his arm overhead, then her world went dark.

“Should we lock them up in the storage room?”

“Naw, we don’t have time for that. Let’s grab the statue and get the hell out of here.”

“You’re the boss.”

The two men huffed, panting as they pushed and drug the heavy ‘Sasquatch’ out the front door. The wind practically ripped the door from its hinges. They had to scream to be heard over the roar of the mighty ocean and storm. They had backed up right behind her small sports car, so they didn’t have far to go.

The grizzled leader yelled, “On a count a three…one…two…three…” they managed to lift it onto the truck bed and claw their way against the wind, to get into the vehicle. They raced out of the parking lot despite limited visibility.

Julian hung back weighing his options. When fifteen minutes had passed with no sign of Faye or her friend reappearing, he began to wonder. Pulling his hoodie tight around his head he jumped out of the rental car and hunched down low against the wind he ran inside.

He shined his phone’s flashlight around the room. He found Faye lying motionless on the floor, a pool of blood around her head. He panicked. He didn’t know what to do. Should he move her? He couldn’t leave her here to die. He felt for a pulse and was relieved to find it strong and steady. But he also knew they might not believe that he wasn’t responsible for harming her.

The other woman was sitting up and appeared groggy but awake. He made a split-second decision and then tenderly slipped one arm under her knees and the other supporting her neck and lifted Faye into his arms. He brushed his lips softly against hers, squeezing his eyes tightly shut against the wave of longing he felt. She smelled like flowers. He’d always loved the way she smelled.

Brushing her hair back from her forehead, she moaned. “Shh, you’re safe. I’m here my beautiful Faye. I’ll take care of you.” She was so pale, all of the color drained from her face. He wanted to cradle her against his chest and never let her go. He stepped out into the storm.

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