Chapter 10
Faye was literally dancing down the street. The hotel had sent her a message letting her know that they would pay her for her sick leave, just as Zantar had promised. Even better, they’d let her know that she was on the schedule for the week following the end of her sick leave!
So she had money in the bank and could pay her rent, plus buy food for the next month. But even better, she now knew that she was madly in love with Zantar. They’d spent the past few nights together, talking, making love, eating, drinking, and just getting to know one another.
During the daylight hours, Faye had gone to the museum or library to research her artist and he’d gone to some mysterious meetings. But she’d meet back up with him at the end of her day and…normally, he’d take her into his arms to make love to her as soon as she stepped out of the private elevator. But sometimes, he’d just hold her and ask her about her day, about whatever she’d discovered during her hours of research, and they’d brainstorm about the issue. Initially, she’d asked what he’d done during his long meetings. After the first time she’d asked, he’d explained that his conversations during the day were top secret and he couldn’t discuss them. So instead, Faye had simply asked if he was okay, how he was feeling and if there’d been any arguments during the conversations. That last question was prompted by the tension she could see in his eyes and in the tight muscles around his mouth. But he merely grimaced and pulled her closer, kissing her as if that would distract her.
It didn’t. And his lack of an answer hurt her. He didn’t trust her, and she understood, sort of, the secretive nature of whatever it was that he did. Briefly, she’d wondered if he was involved in something illegal and that was why he didn’t want to tell her what he did during the day. But Faye was starting to understand him. And with that understanding came the knowledge that he was a deeply ethical person. He wouldn’t be involved in anything illegal or unethical.
She wondered if he was somehow protecting her. That would make sense, she thought, turning the corner towards the museum. He was very protective, and Faye had laughed softly when he’d ordered her to move into the penthouse with him.
“No way,” she’d laughed. “Could you imagine what my co-workers might say when I start back to work next week? I mean, I’d commute to the employee locker room via the super-secret private elevator in order to don my housekeeping uniform!” She’d shaken her head at that scenario. “No. That definitely wouldn’t be a good option.”
She smiled, thinking about his grimace as well as his arguments that he would fund her research so she could stop working at the hotel.
“Faye!” a male voice called out.
At first, she didn’t hear it. Her mind was thinking about what she would do once Zantar had to leave at the end of the week. Every time she thought about him not being here, not seeing him every day, her heart ached and tears threatened.
“Faye!”
Startled, she stopped and turned, looking for whoever was calling her.
“Scott?” She turned and waited for him to catch up with her. He didn’t look good, she thought. His face appeared bloated and there were dark circles under his eyes. His clothes were rumpled and, when he pulled up beside her, he smelled strange. Almost as if he hadn’t showered or changed clothes in a few days. “Are you okay?”
He laughed, the sound coming out harsh and almost hysterical. “I will be,” he told her, taking her arm in a hard grip. “I noticed that you are dating someone new.”
Faye reared back, startled by his comment as well as the biting grip on her arm. She jerked her arm away, glaring up at him. “Are you stalking me, Scott?”
He laughed that frightening laugh again, nodding. “Yeah. I am.”
She took a step back from him, stunned by his response. “Why?”
“Because I need your help.”
She shook her head, suddenly wary. Scott hadn’t ever been a very nice person. But now…something was very off about him. “How can I help you?”
“First of all, I need cash.”
Faye’s anger eased a bit as she reached into her cotton bag for her wallet. Scott wasn’t her favorite person, but she could spare a bit of cash for him. “Will ten dollars be enough?” she asked. This loan…uh…gift, because she knew Scott would never pay her back…would hurt her food budget for the week, but she could spare it for him. She hadn’t been getting her cup of coffee every morning, so she had a bit to spare. Plus, she was eating most dinners with Zantar, which saved her a great deal of money.
Scott grabbed her wallet and took out all of the cash, scowling down at the bills in his hand. “Only fifteen dollars?” he snarled. “Seriously? I need more than this!”
Faye jerked back again, terrified of this man. “Scott, what’s going on?” she asked, trying to soothe him, at least until she could get away from him. She put a hand on his shoulder. “I don’t have a lot of money until I get paid this Friday but – “
“You’re dating a rich bastard! Get me some money!”
Faye heard Scott’s words, but she couldn’t understand them for a long moment. Then she blinked. “You really have been stalking me, haven’t you?”
“Yes!” he growled, leaning forward until he was almost touching her nose with his own. His breath was rancid and Faye turned her head, closing her eyes as she tried not to gag.
When she had her stomach back under control, she turned and looked at him steadily. He was nearly the same height as she was, so Scott wasn’t as intimidating as Zantar could be. “Scott, I have to go now. I have work to do.”
She started walking again, determined to ignore her stepbrother. But he followed her, crowding her and almost causing her to trip over his feet when he suddenly stepped in front of her.
“Are you seriously going to tell me that the man isn’t giving you loads of cash?” His laugh was brittle. “And what about the guy at the museum? You’re banging him too! I’m sure he’d give you some money if you’d just ask prettily enough.” He sneered and lowered his head again. “Or if you asked at the right time!”
Faye cringed away from him, horrified by his suggestion. “You’re disgusting!” And she stepped around him, determined to get to the museum. She wanted to get away from Scott. He’d always been a bit crude, but never like this!
Immediately, he blocked her escape. “No, I’m furious that you’ve got yourself a sugar daddy, two sugar daddies, actually. And you’re not willing to help me out!”
“You’re a big boy,” she snapped, pushing around him as she lowered her head in an effort to get to the museum. “Figure it out yourself!”
“Is everything okay, ma’am?” a different male voice asked.
Faye turned and looked at a tall stranger. He’d spoken in Arabic and had the kind of military posture that warned he meant business.
“I’m fine!” she whispered, stepping back again.
“Is this man bothering you?” the stranger asked.
Faye looked over at Scott, who was also staring at the man. When she glanced back at the scary guy, she shook her head. “No, he was just leaving.” She looked over at Scott, silently warning him to get away from her.
Scott hesitated, evaluating his chances. But this tall stranger was big and looked intimidating enough that Scott backed down. “Talk to ya later, Faye!” Scott called out, pretending as if he weren’t upset about anything at all as he sauntered away, sliding his hands into his pockets.