Technical Threat (Westin Force #4) - Julie Trettel Page 0,50
starting to wane, so he was able to walk away without too much hardship on the others. Together we walked across the street to face Shay.
I didn’t have to, but I went to the front door and knocked. My mother had made it painfully clear that I wasn’t welcome there anymore. It was no longer my home.
An image of Tarron popped into my mind.
Mine. Home.
I had no idea where he lived, but I knew I had to follow him to wherever it was. Not going wasn’t even an option. I had sealed my fate and there was no taking that back. It disturbed me more that I really didn’t mind it.
I now knew my mate was loving and passionate. There was still a hint of danger lying just beneath his skin, but that turned me on far more than it frightened me. I didn’t believe for one second that he would ever lay a hand on me, well, not in a malicious way.
I was getting wet just thinking of the ways it had felt having those hands on me.
“Are you okay?” Jimmy asked.
“Yeah, fine. Why?”
“Your cheeks are flushed, and I know this couldn’t have been an easy decision for you.”
I shrugged. “Don’t let her fool you, Shay forced my hand on this. She’s broke and the house is in foreclosure.”
“You didn’t bail her out again?”
I listened closely and could hear Shay was still back in her bedroom.
“Not yet,” I mouthed.
He grinned and shook his head. “You really are a sly one.”
“I’m leaving Womack, Jimmy. She’ll just run it into the ground if we don’t make this happen today.”
His forehead wrinkled. “When did you decide that? I didn’t even know you were thinking about it.”
“You know she hit me the other day. She also kicked me out, and I realized that I don’t have anything to stick around here for.”
He scowled. “What about Sapphire and Sage? They need you. I need you,” he confessed.
My eyes widened. “What? Uh, my sisters will be fine.”
“Do they know?”
I nodded. “Or at least they suspect. Sage even encouraged it.”
“So I’m the only one you left in the dark? I thought when I bought this place that you’d be there working by my side. I never even considered otherwise. We make a great team, Susan. Stay. I’ll take care of you for once.”
“Why is it that everyone suddenly seems to think I need anyone to take care of me?”
“Susan, you have to know how I feel about you,” he started.
I cut him off quickly. “Jimmy, we’re just friends.”
“It doesn’t have to be that way.”
“It does. We’re only ever going to be friends.”
“You deserve better,” he insisted.
I smiled and warmth filled me as I thought of Tarron. “I have better.”
“You do?” he asked but before I could answer Mom opened the door.
“Oh, it’s you two. What’s this about?”
“You know what this is about, mother. We’re here to sign the contract and finalize the sale of Shay Vous.”
“I told you I’m not selling to him.”
“I’m going to lay out your options clearly. You can sell to Jimmy, take the money, pay off the house or sell it and move if that’s what you want. Or you keep it, I’ll sign over my half to you, but that includes removal of my name on the remaining loan. I’ve spoken to Mr. Whitley and if that happens he will immediately recall the loan because he doesn’t trust you with money anymore than I do.”
She scoffed. “You’re bluffing.”
“Then call me on it and take your chances.”
Jimmy shuffled his feet, looking down awkwardly like he wished he were anywhere else but here.
“How dare you talk about my finances so openly in front of a stranger like this. Get inside before someone else hears you.”
We followed her inside and Jimmy shut the door behind us. He still looked extremely uncomfortable but there was nothing I could do about that.
“I’m leaving Womack, Mom. I’m not going to be here to clean up your mess anymore. Jimmy can make things better for you. Don’t be stubborn about this. You haven’t worked a single day since I came back home. Not one. Don’t tell me you’re suddenly going to change. We both know you won’t. You need help. Professional help, Mom.”
She glared at me indignantly. “You are nothing but a wretched little girl, a drain on my spirit. You leaving won’t cause any tears from me. Good riddance.”
“What did I ever do to you? Why do you hate me so much?” I wasn’t angry or emotional,