Page 138 of The Deal with the Playboy

She has been a lot of help since she moved in with me and I’m grateful for it. Honestly, I don’t think I can do this on my own.

“What are you going to do if I move back in with Jasper?”

Honestly, I like having her around, she’s been helping me out a lot around my place.

“I’ll move back home once your stepfather is out of rehab.” She steps back. “Now, go have fun on your date with your husband.”

Once I’m inside the limo, Jasper sends me a text message that he is already at the restaurant, and butterflies dance in my stomach. I just want what’s best for my child and I want our relationship to work out.

Michael comes to a complete stop, and an SUV blocks the limo, so he puts the car in reverse to back up, but another vehicle blocks him.

What the fuck? Why are we closed in? There isn’t any cops around to indicate any roadblocks.

I glance at Michael through the rearview mirror to find his eyes are laced with concern.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

“I don’t know, stay in the car,” he orders before stepping out of the limo.

I watch him grab his gun and point it at one of the vehicles. Two guys dressed in all black get out of the SUV and one of them aims his gun at Michael. Michael drops his weapon to the ground and one of the men punches Michael in the stomach. Michael punches both men and another one comes out of nowhere and kicks Michael in the balls, but Michael head button until another bodyguard from out of the SUV and slam the pistol into the back of his head, beating him to a pulp.

What the fuck? Am I being robbed?

Anxiety climbs through my body as my heart beats rapidly in my chest. My hands shake like leaves and I grab my phone from my purse and dial Jasper’s number. He doesn’t pick up the phone, so I call him again.

“Angel, are y—”

“Something has happened. We’re blocked off a—”

Link gets out of the SUV, and shock colors my face.

What the fuck is he doing here?

“What is it, Angel?”

“Link and his bodyguards are here. They beat Michael and now Link is heading to the car.”

“Whatever you do, lock your doors. Where are you?” Jasper says urgently.

“I have no idea. We’re, like, ten minutes away from my apartment.”

Link marches to the limo, pulling on the handle. “Open the door, Poppy.”

“Angel, listen to me. Call the cops. I’ll come and get you,” Jasper says.

“No,” I scream through the door.

“You’re coming home with me,” Link bellows, then he beckons one of his bodyguards to the car. The man punches his arm through the window and unlocks it.

Link snatches my phone from me and he tosses it to the concrete.

He grabs me by the arm, digging his nails into my skin.

I snatch my arm away. “What do you think you’re doing, Link?”

“Look. I let you get away from me, and now you’re pregnant. I let this crap go on for too long. You’re coming home. I get it, I fucked up, but this is a new low for you.”

He yanks me out of the car, and I fall to the ground, skinning my knees. “I’m not trying to make you jealous. It’s really over between us, Link.”

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