Page 7 of His Dark Pact

As she recalled, he’d introduced himself as William, but she didn’t think it suited him. It was too formal—too stuffy. The man she’d met had class, but he hadn’t come across as someone who worried too much about convention. He’d been suave yet kind. Capable, yet conscientious.

“Oh, for God’s sake.” She rolled her eyes at her dreamy analysis. “Forget about him.”

She hadn’t wanted to throw his card away, yet she knew she would never call him. Amy had nothing to offer a man like that, and she had no cash or confidence to reciprocate his kindness. The most annoying aspect was that she’d stupidly failed to give him her number, so he would never be able to contact her. Her self-doubt and lack of foresight meant the two of them would probably never meet again.

It would have been lovely, though.

She permitted herself a small sigh.

Yes, it might have been lovely, but she had to be practical. Amy had real problems, like the small matter of her rent, which was overdue, and Jonah’s looming bill.

As though her son had read her mind, her phone burst into life beside her, his name lighting the screen in the gloomy kitchenette. Amy had learned not to use lights unless they were absolutely necessary, so the place was dark a lot of the time. As it buzzed on the counter, the phone’s illumination was almost ethereal.

“Hi, Jonah.” She pressed the speaker button, her free palm rising to cover Kyle’s card as if Jonah was there and could see the thing.

“Hi, Mum.” The strain in his voice told her instantly what he was calling for, her body tensing in response.Money.“I hate to chase you, but my tutor has asked about the revision program again. I didn’t know what to tell him.”

Amy’s belly twisted at the desperation in Jonah’s voice. “Tell him you’ll have the money tomorrow. I’ll wire it over to you.”

Right then and there, she made up her mind. She didn’t have much, but what little she’d saved for the rent covered the price of his program. If she had to let the apartment go and surf her friend’s sofas for a while, then so be it. Nothing was more important to her than his and Seth’s wellbeing and happiness, and while Seth was locked up in prison, Jonah was the only one she could focus on.

“Are you sure?” His tone was understandably skeptical. Jonah didn’t know the details, but he knew she didn’t have spare money stashed away.

“I’m sure.” She was resolute.

She’d do this for him, and he didn’t need to worry about how she’d achieved it. By the time he discovered the origins of the money, she was sure she’d have found her feet again.

Something had to turn up.

“Thank you.” Emotion crackled with his words. “This really means a lot.”

“I’m paying it forward.” She smiled. “A complete stranger was kind to me today, so I figured I could help out my own son.”

Briefly, she recollected that ‘stranger’, heat rising to her face as she realized just how much she’d enjoyed Kyle’s attention.

“I love you.” The warmth in Jonah’s declaration filled her heart. “I hope you know that.”

“I love you, too.” Tears sprung as she imagined the smiling face of her son. “Go on the program and smash your exams!”

“I will.” He sniffed, “I promise.”

A solitary tear tracked along her face as the line went dead, the affection and pride she felt for Jonah colliding with what should have been obvious. She didn’t have the money, and the only way she could keep good on her vow to wire it to him was to default on the rent and end up homeless.

“Forty-eight years old and it’s come to this.” She blew out a breath, wishing she’d had the money to buy a bottle of wine at the store, but as it was, there was only enough milk for a few cups of tea.

Standing there in the half-light, something shifted in her head. If you’d been watching her, you’d likely not have noticed, but to Amy, the change was perceptible, the realization sending tingles along her spine. If she’d reached the end of the line as far as her options were concerned, then why deprive herself of an evening with a kind and attractive man? She deserved that much, didn’t she? One night to dress up, be spoiled, and pretend everything was okay.

Shewantedit.

“It doesn’t seem like there’s anything left to lose.” She wiped her eyes with the heel of her hand, her other palm sliding Kyle’s card to the fore. “I may as well take Mr. Kyle up on this mysterious offer and have a decent meal before destitution.”

Taking the card and her phone, she closed the limited distance to her old couch and slumped onto the tired seat. She switched on the neighboring lamp, using its light to punch in the correct digits. By the time she was ready to hit the call button, her pulse had elevated, reminding her of the handsome man she was about to contact.

What will I say?

She swallowed, unclear of the answer even as she made the call. Her hand trembled as she lifted the phone to her ear, and by the time the dialing tone reverberated, her mind was blank.

“William Kyle.” The same sophisticated voice she remembered from the store met her ear.

---