Promiscuous (Tease 2)

My eyes widened. I kissed him again, this time with more passion and more desire.

“I love you too.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Beth

The knock caught me off guard. Roman was early. I quickly tidied up the kitchen and then raced for the door, my excitement to see him surprising even me. I swung open the door, unable to wipe the smile off my face. Wow, I have energy. Where the hell did that come from?

My face froze when I realized it wasn’t Roman, but Ivan standing there.

“What do you want?” I asked in a shrill voice, trying to push the door closed. But before I could close it, his foot wedged its way in between the door and the frame.

“Come on, Bethy, is that anyway to speak to the man who gave you your dreams?” Sarcasm. Great. I fell backward as he pushed his way inside.

“Get out, Ivan. I mean it. Now.” All I could think was that I wished I felt as strong as I sounded right then.

“Settle down, I’m here on business only.” He sighed. “You’re going to L.A. next week for a read-through for the part. I need you to deliver something for me.”

“What?” I said, confused. I haven’t even agreed to try out yet, and all of a sudden I have an audition? I loved the idea of acting, sure, but I hated him presuming I would say yes. Part of me wanted to turn it down just to spite him. “You can’t run my life, Ivan. You don’t get to decide what I do.”

His eyes narrowed as he stepped toward me, a cocky expression on his face. “I got the feeling you couldn’t wait to get away from me for a while, Bethy.” He reached out and fingered my dress.

I stood there, terrified, and unable to move. Just like that, I was back to that night. I’d never be free from him. He was always going to have this over me. “You just remember, honey, last time? That was nothing compared to what I’m capable of. I own you.” His mouth was inches from mine, his eyes burning into me, into my soul. My knees weakened, and I struggled

to keep my composure.

“Leave me alone,” I hissed. “Get the fuck out, and leave me the hell alone. I have a friend who will be here any moment, and if he sees you, I guarantee you’ll be sorry.”

He laughed, but backed off. “Don’t threaten me, Bethy. You have no idea who you’re dealing with. I’ll be in touch.”

***

A suspicious-looking package arrived three days later via Ivan’s personal courier. The small, well-wrapped parcel was heavy and solid. My heart sank as I tried to convince myself that it wasn’t what I thought it was.

I set it down in front of me and carefully unwrapped the brown paper that covered it. Sighing, I sat back and stared at the clear package of white powder sitting in front of me. There had to be more than a two pounds of coke here. What the hell was I? A drug courier now? No fucking way. I’d rather lose everything than do this.

Fuck Ivan.

How much more could he fuck my life up than he already had? There was nothing he could do to me that would hurt me more than he already had. This was my chance to hurt him. I wanted him to suffer just as he had done to me.

I swiftly picked up the package and my phone, and headed to the bathroom. Before I could second guess what I was doing, I’d slashed the top of the package open and was pouring the contents into the toilet, all the while filming it with my other hand. I coughed as the residue from the substance filled the air.

“See that, Ivan? That is what I think of you. Go to hell, you fucking fuck.” I spat out the words with venom. I pressed stop, and then sent the video to his cell.

It took less than a minute for my phone to start ringing. I stared at it in shock.

Holy shit, what have I done?

My heart began to race as I processed what had happened. What was the street value of coke these days? How much cash had I just flushed down the toilet? More to the point, who owned that coke?

My phone continued to ring nonstop. I didn’t answer, even though I knew he was probably on his way over here. I paced the hallway, panicking. What the hell was I going to do? I reached for my phone and called Roman.

“Hey,” he said warmly.

“I’m in trouble,” I blurted out.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, immediately concerned. “Are you okay?”