Chapter 12: Worst Case Scenario
Stuart
The sun dipped low on the horizon as I headed across the yard to check on Bill and the colt. I’d just gotten clear when I saw Mariska standing on the fence watching them. Instead of interrupting, I took a quick turn into the barn and walked up the alley to the paddock door.
From there, I was hidden from their sight, but I could see and hear them. Bill explained the process of breaking the colt, and she watched, the wind pushing her long brown waves off her face, her strapless dress swirling in an arc behind her. The sun was in her face, and it glinted off the necklace she wore. Mariska always wore several necklaces and a few rings. I’d meant to ask her about them. Her long, slender hand moved over her face, and I leaned to the side. A slight twinge. Perhaps I needed more massage therapy...
“Spying are we?” Nikki’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
I cleared my throat and backed away from the door. “Just checking on the colt’s progress.”
She walked to the paddock door and leaned over it, looking into the yard and then waving at Bill.
“So that’s it.” She turned those blue eyes on me, and I could see the irritation in them. “You’re out here fucking that child.”
“Take it easy, Nikki, she’s not a child. She’s twenty-six.” I didn’t want to be angry with her. I didn’t want to fight. I wanted her to shut the fuck up and go home.
“Stuart.” She was quiet a moment, studying me. I was about to tip my hat and go back to the house when she spoke again. This time her voice was placating. “I’m worried about you. You haven’t been yourself since you got back.”
“You’re right.” I nodded. “I wasn’t myself when I got back. But I’m better now. You don’t have to worry.”
“I can’t help it.” She reached out and touched my arm. “I’d hoped we could pick up where we left off. I waited for you.”
Moving my arm and sliding my hand in my pocket, I took a step back. “I didn’t ask you to wait.”
Her eyes moved from my face down my torso, lingering near my belt. Another blink and her eyes were back on mine, her voice soft. “I know about the drugs. I found the empty bottle you took from my apartment at Derek’s.”
That stopped me. “I’m sorry about that night. I was wrong—”
“You don’t have to apologize.” She stepped closer again. “I didn’t tell anyone. I threw the bottle away. To protect you.”
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to!” Her hand was on me again. “I want to protect you now. I’m afraid you can’t see what’s happening here.”
I studied her face. “What are you talking about?”
She shook her blonde head. “You can’t see it, but it’s not your fault. She’s taking advantage of your weakness.”
“Wait. You mean Mariska—”
“She’s not friends with Elaine. She lied to you.”
My brow lined.
“She came here uninvited. I overheard Patrick and Elaine talking last night in their bedroom. He thinks it’s hilarious. Elaine thinks it’s romantic. That’s why they covered for her.”
Anger twisted in my chest. My scalp tightened, and I wanted to grab Nikki by the throat. Instead I took another step back.
“I’m sorry, baby,” Nikki’s voice cracked. “I’m not trying to hurt you. I’m trying to help you. She’s playing you. I don’t know if she’s after your money or what, but she is a gypsy, after all. They’re notorious con artists and thieves.”
My forearms ached, and I realized I was clenching my fists. “This is bullshit.” My voice was tight. “Mariska’s innocent. She was a virgin for Chrissake.”
“A twenty-six year old virgin?” Nikki laughed. “Never in a million years would I have expected you to fall for something like this.” She turned and glanced out the paddock door again. “I guess she is a sexy little thing. She knows massage therapy? What a coincidence, since that’s exactly what you needed.”
I didn’t want to hear more. Turning on my boot heel, I stormed out of the barn toward the house. Rage burned in my stomach, and Nikki’s words echoed like a witch’s cackle in my brain. What. The. Fuck.
I was halfway to the house when Patrick stopped me. “Hey, bro. You look like you’re out for blood. What’s up?”