Page 101 of The Marriage Agreement (Agreement)

“I seduced Luke?” I snicker. “Little old me seduced Luke Blythe? Thanks for letting me know about the power that I unknowingly have, considering you called me a nobody and ordinary. How is it possible that an ordinary nobody can seduce a man like Luke, unless, of course, he chose me?”

“I don’t know how you did it,” she yells. “But you did, and I intend to break the spell or whatever charm you used to capture him. Before you bewitched him, Luke never walked away from a deal, he always found a way to work things out, but you came in, and now he’s punching old friends and backing out of millions of dollar deals.” I chuckle at her, and at my own dilemma.

“I can tell you with absolute certainty that Luke will never be the same if you harm me. He will never forgive you. So, I suggest you let me go before things get out of hand.”

“Nice try. I may not know what to do to you yet, but you are never seeing Luke again,” she says with such conviction, rage, and hatred in her eyes. It rocks me to my core, and I know that any chance I had to make her see reason is now gone. She has the wealth and power to make me disappear, and I fear what she might do when she finds out I’m pregnant.

Her phone rings. She looks at it, then turns the phone toward me. I see Luke’s face on the screen. My eyes widen when she pulls a gun from her back and points it at me, a finger on her lips, telling me to shush.

“Hello.” She keeps her gun pointed at me while pretending to sound normal.

“I’m good, just working.” Pause. “No, I haven’t seen her.” Pause. “I took your warning and didn’t go near her or get in contact with her.” Pause.

“Well, I hope she didn’t run off with some loser.” She smiles. Pause.

“I’ve heard crazy things, so don’t let it shock you.” Pause.

“How about you and I have dinner tomorrow so we can patch things up, no hard feelings? Sure, she can come too.” Pause.

“Okay, bye.” She hangs up.

“He’s looking for you, and I will make sure he never finds you. I’ll be his comforter, and once I’m pregnant, he won’t have any choice but to marry me,” she says with a look of triumph, as if her plan is working. She makes another phone call, leaving the room and closing the door. I struggle to free myself from the zip ties. The more I struggle, the more they cut into my skin.

She comes back after a few minutes, giving me a pitiful look, like my time is up. “I’m handing you over,” she says with a grin.

“To whom?”

Chapter 67

LUKE

We finally pull up behind the building, and I spot a car I recognize. I turn to Bruce.

“That red Mercedes is Lily’s car.”

He looks at me, stunned. “Are you sure?”

“I’m certain.”

“Then we’re at the right place. But before we go in, call her office and ask about her whereabouts.”

“Good idea,” I dial her office number.

“Lily McIntyre’s office,” the PA answers, though I can’t remember her name.

“Hi, this is Luke Blythe. Is Lily available?”

“Mr. Blythe, I’m sorry, Ms. Lily left for the day. Can I take a message?”

“No need. I’ll try her cell. Thank you,” I say, hanging up.

“She’s not in the office,” I tell Bruce.

“You’re going to call her and keep her on the phone. But before you do, let me check in with the other guys.”

I nod my understanding, watching as he calls the others. When he hangs up and turns to me, I notice his serious expression.

“The car was pulled over, and they found the watch on a lady. She claims a guy gave it to her, saying he didn’t want it anymore. Law enforcement is taking her in for questioning about the guy and where the watch was given to her. Dele’s active signal in that building just went off. We need Lily’s exact location. We know she’s on the fourth floor, but there are at least six units on that floor.” He signals to the guys to check if they’re ready. They nod, and he adds, “Remember, you have to keep her talking. She’s not a pro at this. Just keep her talking.”

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