Page 102 of Second Chance for Mr. Alden

When we pulled up in front of the factory, I was surprised at the unexpected calm that spread throughout my body. Until this moment, my emotions had jumped from angry to scared so many times I was exhausted, but right now, as I looked at the building, it felt like my grandmother was with me and it helped that I knew Alden was on his way.

I waved to the Uber driver who had offered to stay and take me back. I told him I had a ride and friends were inside. He’d given me a strange look, clearly not believing me, but after a moment’s hesitation, left. Once I was sure he was driving off I took a deep breath and opened the front door.

Inside was dark, with the last bit of daylight struggling to filter through the grimy windowpanes. The place was oddly silent, and I feared that something had happened to Lexi when a bright light flashed on, illuminating the entire space. I threw my hand in front of my face to stop the assault on my eyes.

“Ms. Sulton. If you’d wait just a moment our boss will be right with you.” That same smooth voice from the phone sounded off to my left. “Would you like to sit down?”

My eyes adjusted and I turned to face my speaker: a large man, in height and width. He walked closer to me, his suit flapping open to reveal the gun held in a holster at his waist.

“I’ll stand.” No way would I treat this like a casual gathering.

He shrugged.

“Where’s Lexi?” I asked. Almost afraid he’d tell me she wasn’t there.

“She’ll be along soon.”

After three minutes of waiting I couldn’t stay silent. “I got here in the amount of time you mentioned and came alone. I’ve done everything you’ve asked. Nothing had better have happened to her.” I got out through clenched teeth.

He stared at me. I fought at the urge to shuffle my feet. I hated it when someone didn’t answer a direct question. It reminded me too much of growing up with my mother and father who often ignored me.

“Well, Jess. I was surprised to see you actually came by yourself.” A deep voice rumbled from the back of the room.

My eyes widened and words completely escaped me. I knew that voice.

“Shut the door, please,” he commanded. A voice used to being obeyed.

I’d forgotten I’d even left it open. “Jareth?” No fucking way. What the hell was going on?

I shut the door behind me. “Where’s Lexi?”

“Jess?” she called out at the end of the room and came through the same doorway Jareth had just entered.

“Let her go,” I demanded.

Jareth nodded at the guy holding Lexi.

The moment she was free she ran across the floor and threw herself into my arms. “I’m so sorry. I should’ve known it was too good to be true.”

I held her close and brushed my hand down her hair as her tears soaked into my shirt. After a moment I pulled back, still keeping my hands on her arms. “Listen,” I whispered. The guys were still a good twenty to thirty feet from us. I took the chance they wouldn’t be able to hear my quiet message. “Go outside. Just keep walking down the road until James or Gage gets here.”

“No,” Lexi shook her head, sobbing harder. “I’m not leaving you.”

“Lexi, I need you out of here.” I looked at Jareth. “He won’t hurt me. Will you?”

“No. I just need to talk to you. You’re an incredibly hard person to get a hold of Jess. If it wasn’t for your buddy, Issac, and your posts about Red’s Sweet Salvation, I might not have realized how close to home you were,” Jareth responded with his smooth voice. If I didn’t know any better, I’d have thought he was responding to someone’s question about the weather. He sounded so normal. “It was pretty easy to figure out you were here or in Rhode Island.”

Fucking, Issac.My social influencer nemesis was going down.

I may not have proof, but Bettina, Issac’s bakery sponsor was a vindictive bitch. I’d find a way to mention that I saw Issac eating at another shop that offered baked goods. I’d never mention Ruby’s place. No reason to target her, but just the doubt in Betty’s mind might get her to pull Issac’s contract.

I looked at Lexi. “It’s okay.”

“I don’t like this,” Lexi whispered.

“You have to stop him from coming in. Please, Lexi, it would destroy me if anything happened to him,” I said softly.

“This isn’t fair to make me choose between the two of you.” She wiped at the tears that streamed down her face. “And just so you know, I’m pissed at you for making me do it, Jessamine Sulton.”

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