Page 17 of Absolution

“Do you know a man by the name of Gideon Townsend?”

I studied him, looking for any shift in his expression or body language, but the bastard didn’t give anything away.

“Sorry, but I don’t know anyone by that name.”

My jaw ached from clenching it so hard. I had to keep my cool though. Gina’s life could be at stake, and I wasn’t going to piss off this piece of shit and jeopardize her safety.

“He’s expected to be released soon from prison in New York, and a reliable source has connected him to someone who works for you. Carlos Jordan. Does that name ring a bell?”

Ricci rose from his seat and tugged his shirtsleeves down under his suit jacket. “I’m sorry you’ve wasted your time coming Mr. Marshall, but I’m afraid I’m unable to help you. I’ll escort you out.”

Anger and fear rushed through me, and, damning the consequences, I lunged across the desk, pinning him against the wall behind us with my arm under his throat. Oddly, he didn’t attempt to struggle or get away. He appeared bored.

“I swear to god, if I find out that you’re in any way connected to the threats being made to someone I care about, no power on this earth will stop me from burying you.”

With a final shove, I jerked away from him and strode out of the house, fury racing through my veins.

Chapter 11

Gina

I was spiralingdown a dark hole, and I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to crawl back out of it. I’d screwed up several orders, because I hadn’t been able to focus. I was behind on inventory as well. Bridget told me to take some time off, but I couldn’t. I had bills to pay. Besides, despite my fuck-ups, being at the boutique kept me busy. I had less time to worry about Gideon.

I’d left a little early so I could see Madeline. I hadn’t been sitting long before the door to the office opened. Dr. Madeline Parrish was five foot nothing, tops, with purple eyes that saw everything behind the glasses she wore. She was a ridiculously tiny thing and looked harmless, but she was a fucking pit bull and a no-nonsense therapist. I’d immediately felt at ease with her eight years ago. She was like that cool aunt every kid wished they had.

“Hey, Doc.”

“Hello, yourself. Come on back.”

I flopped into the oversized leather chair, and Madeline settled in behind her desk.

“So, tell me what’s been going on.”

I blew my hair out of my face. “Well, my life is currently a shit show.”

Might as well dive right into it. Ignoring it wasn’t going to make it go away, no matter how much I wished otherwise.

“How so?”

“Gideon called.”

This had her attention.

“I hope you’ve gone to the police.”

“Yes. I panicked and called Sonia. She took me in to make a report.”

“Good. Gideon’s a dangerous man, and I’ve no doubt prison has only made him more so.”

“All I can think about is making these feelings disappear. I keep fucking up at work. I’ve practically stopped going anywhere, in case Gideon finds me. I’m barely eating. I just want it all to go away. If only for a moment.”

“But it won’t ever be for just ‘a moment’,” Madeline said softly.

“I know, which is what I keep telling myself. You have no idea how hard it is though. I’m jumping at every creak and groan in my house, thinking he’s inside. My heart never stops racing, and there are moments when my chest hurts with the effort to just keep breathing.”

“I can’t snap my fingers and make it all better, no matter how hard I try. The only thing I can do is remind you of the tools you can use to help combat those feelings. There is another thing that you could do.”

“What’s that?”

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