side. A deadly side. Memories of the joker, the wind-up merchant, the playful, egotistical man that had me falling for him are fading fast.
‘Stay. Away.’ Becker says each word through his clenched jaw. ‘I’m done. You’ve got the sculpture. You win. Your family has taken too much from me already, Wilson. I’ll die before you take Eleanor, too. Now get the fuck out.’
My internal alarm bells are screaming, demanding I spring to life and slap Becker’s face for his nerve. His statement stands for shit because I know that damn fucking sculpture is still out there, and Becker still wants it. I start to squirm, trying to free myself from his hold. Nothing will cooperate. My limbs are tingling with lack of feeling, making my movements clumsy and uncoordinated.
‘Get off me.’ The harsh demand fights its way past my thick tongue and dry lips, my arm breaking free and swinging behind me, catching him on the shoulder. I push myself away from him, but I only make it a few feet, dragging myself to a fake Queen Anne cabinet and using it to pull myself up. The feel of Becker’s determined eyes boring into me as I put as much distance between us as I physically can only increases my fear. He’s not going to make this easy. Neither is my stupid hurting heart. And that adds a drop of anger to the fear.
‘Get out,’ I seethe. ‘Both of you get out!’
‘You’re smart, Eleanor,’ Brent rasps, a dash of victory in his tone. ‘Don’t let Becker Hunt make you stupid.’ The door to the shop opens and closes softly.
Brent’s gone, but I don’t relax because Becker remains slumped on the floor a few feet away, staring at me. ‘Go,’ I demand.
‘Eleanor, please, let me explain,’ he begs. ‘You weren’t supposed to be at your apartment.’
‘That doesn’t make it okay!’ I yell. ‘Why the hell would you break in?’ It doesn’t make any sense.
‘I needed to know who broke in the day we were at Countryscape. I was looking for clues. Anything to tell me who it was.’
‘I would have let you in. I would have given you my key.’
‘I didn’t want you to know.’
‘Know what?’
He looks at me, a million woes in his eyes. ‘That you’re in danger.’
I recoil, stunned. ‘What?’
‘Your employment at the Hunt Corporation caused a stir in the industry, princess. You know that. You know how corrupt this business is, and people will do anything to get information. I’ve pulled you into my world; I’ve put you in the middle of it all.’ Regret pours from every word. It’s hard to see. Hard to hear. ‘When we left Countryscape and found your apartment broken into, I knew I’d made a mistake by getting close to you.’ His jaw clenches as he stands, taking one measured step towards me. ‘But I didn’t want to let you go. And I still don’t.’
‘It’s too late.’ I look away. My father was right. The high-end world of antiques and art isn’t worth the hassle. It isn’t worth risking your life for.
‘Don’t push me away, Eleanor.’ He reaches for my arm, and I whip it out of his reach, trembling with fear. It’s definitely fear. Problem is, I don’t know if I’m frightened by what Becker has told me and the potential danger, or if I’m afraid of what he can do to me, how he can make me feel, how he blankets my wretchedness with a happiness that blinds me. ‘Don’t ever come near me again.’
‘I can’t do that,’ Becker retorts quietly, heightening my fear and confirming exactly what it is I’m frightened of. Him. I’m frightened by how easily he carries me into his fascinating world. How easily I accept him. I’m frightened by how easy it would be to crumble and give into him, to let him take me in his arms, to let him apologise for frightening me, to let him swallow me up in his smiles and cheek. To return to The Haven, the place I love most in the world, and bathe in the bliss and serenity it offers me. To fall under Becker’s spell again.
I look at him, the passionate, empowered treasure hunter, and all I can hear are Brent’s words. True words. Don’t let Becker Hunt make you stupid. I need to be smart. Stay smart.
It’s head over heart now. I raise my chin and force my eyes to remain on him. It’s freezing outside, but his only protection from the chilly winter air