Page 47 of Just Another Chance

I never knew about the accident, though. The idea of him running after me to try to clear the air makes my heart constrict. It also tells me that he did still love me. With a low curse, I pull my hair back and twist it into a messy bun at the base of my neck. Stress, anger and fear are eating me up inside. Truthfully, I don’t know what to do anymore because it seems like every decision I make is wrong.

I squeeze my eyes shut and wish with all of my heart that Tanner would come back to me. Maybe I can explain myself better. Maybe-

When there’s a soft knock on the door, my head snaps up in surprise.Tanner!I jump up, hurry over to the door and throw it open.

I knew he’d come back. I knew it and-

The strange man standing there is not Tanner and I frown. “Yes?” I ask warily. He has a mean look about him and a coldness emanates from his thick body. Like a cold-blooded reptile.

“Are you Addison Hayes?” he asks.

He has a thick New York accent and I wonder who he is. I’ve never seen him in my building before, so I don’t think he’s a neighbor. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”

“No. But I know your stepfather.”

Oh, God. “Randy? What is this about?” I ask suspiciously.

“He’s in some pretty big trouble and a little bird told us you might be able to help him out. After all, he is practically your daddy.”

A sick feeling fills my gut. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Randy and I do not have any kind of a relationship.”

His empty shark-like eyes narrow slightly. “Let me put it this way then– I hear you have a little boy. I’m assuming you want to make sure that son of yours stays safe, right?”

Fear like I’ve never known before arrows straight through my body, piercing my heart. “Don’t you dare threaten my son,” I hiss, my protective instincts flaring like a mama bear. And just like a bear, I will tear this man apart if he touches Owen.

The thug lifts his hands in a placating gesture. “It doesn’t have to come to that, Ms. Hayes. All we want is the money your stepdaddy owes us.”

“I don’t have any money. I work at a flower shop.”

“Yeah, but what about the billionaire you’re fu-” He clears his throat and gives me a greasy smile. “You’re dating,” he says smoothly.

I am so angry that I’m shaking. How dare Randy send this loan shark goon over here to demand money to cover his debts. I’ve never been so livid in my life. “Tanner and I…” I hesitate. “We’re having problems.”

“That’s not what I want to hear, honey,” he says and crosses his arms. “So, I suggest you tell me what I want to hear so I can turn around and walk away without involving the kid.”

Clamping my jaw together, I want to slam the door in his face. I bite my lip, not knowing what to do. “How much money does he owe?” I finally ask.

“Twenty large,” the thug responds.

“Twenty-thousand dollars?” I exclaim. How in the world am I going to scrape up that kind of money? Especially when I have my mom’s bills to pay off.

“And you’ve got one week.”

“I can’t possibly-”

The guy moves fast, getting right up in my face, and he grabs my arm and twists it up behind my back. I cry out from the pain, and he clamps a hand over my mouth. Eyes wide, panic consumes me as he leans closer.

“I want to make sure you understand exactly what I’m saying. I’ll be back in one week and if you don’t have the money, I will hurt you and your son. And you can’t hide from me so don’t even think of running. Trust me, I can find you no matter where you go. You understand?”

Terror thrums through my entire body. There’s no way in hell that I’m letting this asshole hurt Owen. Tears threaten, but I hold them back and force myself to look him right in his black, empty eyes. “Yes,” I answer, trying hard not to let my voice waiver or show any fear.

“See, that wasn’t too hard, was it?” He releases my arm and takes a step back. Then he turns and starts walking toward the stairs. “Oh, and Addison?’

He glances over his shoulder, and I freeze, on the verge of slamming my door shut.

“Let’s keep this little visit just between us, okay? Well, us and your rich boyfriend.”

As he cackles out a sharp laugh, I hurry back into my apartment, close the door and lock it. “Shit,” I hiss, trying to suppress the fear that’s quickly taking over. What am I going to do?

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