Belonging to Them - By Brynn Paulin Page 0,14

“He blocked access to your account by marking your cards stolen. I don’t have the access to fix it. I can report the misinformation, but that will leave you without funds for days still. I can also issue you new cards and have them delivered to you.”

“That’s fine. As long as I have them in a few days…”

“He’s been by every day, you know. Fishing for information. I won’t tell him anything. Don’t worry.”

Anger knotted the muscles across her shoulders, and she tossed her dust rag on the dining room table.“It doesn’t matter what he knows. I’m not going back to him. You’d think after eight months he’d get the hint.”

She heard Kelsey sigh on the other end of the line. “I still think he’s dangerous. I’m going to bury your contact information so he doesn’t find it until you’re out of there.”

Rayna doubted that would work, but didn’t say anything. She didn’t know how the Vangaard computer records worked. After finishing with her friend, she hung up then carefully set the phone on the table though the ire tearing through her demanded a good slam. Seething, she stared at the far wall.

How dare that man? How dare he! Trying to control her life, trying to manipulate her into doing exactly what he wanted. He’d seemed so nice when they’d first dated and even until when they’d first gotten engaged. Then he’d changed. She didn’t doubt he’d try to track her down, that he’d manhandle her again. And what then? He’d start smacking her around once more? She hadn’t taken it before. She wouldn’t take it now. But the thought of facing him—

“I’m going for a walk,” she said. “I need to stop at the store and get some butter.”

“Rayna,” Jamie called, concern lacing his tone. She heard his chair roll back as he got up, but she was already out the door.

Last night’s rain had tapered to a misty drizzle that clung to her hair as she hurried down the driveway and onto the sidewalk. Leena’s store wasn’t far enough for Rayna to vent her anger, she decided as she jammed her hands into her pockets. Perhaps she’d walked to the edge of town and circle back.

“Rayna!” Jamie called again, and she heard his slightly unsteady gait as he came down the steps. She turned as he approached.

“I need to walk,” she said.

Nodding, he settled a large jacket around her shoulders. His, she decided as his masculine scent rose from the fabric. He flicked open an umbrella to cover them. “I’ll walk with you.”

“You don’t understand…” she murmured, turning into him and resting her forehead against his chest.

His arms came around her. “I understand that someone’s hurt you, and you’re pissed. I heard you say you weren’t going back to him. Are you…married?”

“No, thank heavens. We were engaged when he started showing his true colors. I broke it off, but he’s been stalking me and occasionally getting violent. After the last time, the cops tossed him in jail for the night, and I took off. And right now, I’m ticked off that he had the balls to get my cell phone shut off and mess with my bank account.”

She felt rather than heard his growl as his arms grew hard around her. She looked into his stony countenance. His jaw locked, and he appeared as if he wanted to say something. Instead, his free hand took hers.

Slowly, they made their way toward Leena’s. Neither spoke, their silence a balm to her overwrought nerves. At the store, he kissed her tenderly.

“He’s not going to touch you while you’re here,” Jamie promised.

She nodded, desperately hoping Antonio wouldn’t try to follow her. She didn’t want Jamie fighting him. And she had no doubt Jamie would.

“I’ll be on my way to Oregon before he figures out where I am,” she said.

Again, Jamie’s lips pressed together as if he wanted to say something. She was quickly getting the feeling he held in comments when he disagreed or had something unpopular to say.

“Jamie…what—”

“I’ll be over at the garage,” he interrupted. “Come over when you’re done here.” He grinned then gave her a quick kiss and headed across the street, leaving her with the umbrella. Perplexed, she watched him go. His solid form, only amplified by his limp, endeared her and screamed how strong he was. For an instant, she wished she wouldn’t be leaving here so soon, that she could stay and peel away all the layers that comprised Jamie O’Keefe, enigma.

Leena opened the door