Ashes (Web of Desire #3) - Aleatha Romig Page 0,22

the customary lights were off, windows shuttered, and doors locked. The only exception was the fluorescent bulbs within this waiting area, flickering above and giving off a low hum.

“What else does he do?” I asked David in a whisper.

“He?”

I tilted my head toward the room in the rear. “Mr. St. Pierre. This can’t be his main business if it’s closed on a weekday.”

“Ma’am, Mr. St. Pierre is a respected jeweler in these parts.”

I hummed.

This wasn’t my first brush with illegal activity. I lived amongst it for the last seventeen years. The men keeping guard weren’t here to protect gold, diamonds, and precious gems. As I scanned the unassuming surroundings, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more around me than met the eye.

A shiver snaked down my spine, cooling my skin. I pulled the light sweater I’d worn with the green dress over my shoulders, trying unsuccessfully to ward off the uneasy feeling.

I peered down at my watch, seeing that it was nearly noon. I couldn’t help but wonder how much longer this would take and if it would be enough for my rescue.

There was no way for me to know if Patrick was on his way.

Yesterday, he had taken Ruby to Chicago.

He’d told me that in a message.

Maybe it was wishful thinking to believe he could make it back to Texas in time to rescue me from this outing. I began thinking about Marion’s mention of plans. He’d said we had reservations at an elite club in Dallas. As long as I wore the necklace, Patrick should be able to find me there too.

It seemed that anyplace away from the ranch would be better.

The vibration of my phone shattered the tense silence of the waiting area.

Removing it from my purse, I looked at the screen: MARION.

I tilted the screen toward David. “I need to take this.”

He nodded as I slipped from the chair toward the darkened front showroom and hit the call button. “Hello.”

“Come back to the ranch.”

There was something unsettling in his tone.

“We will. Mr. St. Pierre must be nearly done.”

“Now. The ring can wait. Fucking Andros lied to me.”

I took another step toward the cases of jewelry. “What are you talking about? Is this about Ruby?”

A movement from the back of the store caught my attention. When I turned, the doorway to the waiting area was filled by a tall body. The bright backlight shone around him, making the visibility of his features difficult to see. Nevertheless, I knew the man in the doorway wasn’t David but one of St. Pierre’s guards.

“I’m taking a call,” I said.

It was then I saw past his girth to the room behind. My heart rate rocketed as I took a step back, falling against one of the glass cases. Lying upon the ground was my bodyguard, the man who was sent to protect me.

“Oh! Marion, David.”

“Ma’am,” the large man said in an eerily calm voice.

“What’s happening?” Marion bellowed.

“David is…” I looked to the man. “Is he dead?”

Without speaking, his head shook.

“Madeline, tell me what is happening. Let me speak to David.”

“M-marion,” I stuttered. “I’ve...” The large man came closer.

“Madeline.” Marion’s voice was raised.

With my behind pushed against the glass case, there was no place for me to go. “Please,” I said to the man.

“Your phone, ma’am. Give me your phone.”

My head shook as I pulled it to my chest, muffling the sound of Marion’s voice. Suddenly phones began to ring. The shrill sound was coming from the land lines for the store as well as one from the back, probably Mr. St. Pierre’s cell phone. “Don’t answer them,” the other guard man yelled.

None of this made sense.

“Your phone,” he said, extending his large hand.

“I-I need it.” Thoughts of pictures of Ruby came to mind. The expression on the man before me never wavered. Slowly, I extended my hand and relinquished the phone to his grasp.

With a quick look down, he disconnected the call with Marion.

“Please don’t hurt me,” I said. “You can have the ring.”

The corner of the man’s mouth curled upward. “Ms. Miller, my name is Philip.” He extended his hand, returning the phone my way. “Please don’t call Mr. Elliott.” He tipped his chin toward David’s body. “He’ll wake and when he does, you’ll be gone.”

“Gone?”

The other big man appeared behind him. “Car’s here.”

“Come with me, Ms. Miller.”

What choice did I have?

“I can pay you,” I offered. “Mr. Elliott can pay.”

Philip nodded. “I’m well compensated, ma’am.” He gestured toward the back of the store.

Tentatively, I took a step

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