Blackmailed by Her Bully

Now, as she sat in the car, she stared down at each pamphlet. Each one showed a pregnant woman, or a woman with a child, even breastfeeding.

“Should I breastfeed?” she asked.

“Do you want to?”

She opened up the pamphlet. “I have no idea. There is so much to take in.”

“Didn’t you ever consider having kids one day?” he asked.

She snorted. “When I was a kid, sure. I thought about getting married and having it all, but I don’t know. Look at all of this. I didn’t think I’d ever have kids as a grownup.”

“You won’t be doing it alone. You’re going to have me.”

She turned toward him. “Did you want kids?”

“I don’t think about kids.”

“You’re not even curious about them?”

“No.”

“I was an only child, and kids, they’re a byproduct of not being properly protected or a relationship. I’ve not had to worry about either. I don’t forget, and I don’t have relationships.”

“So what’s this?” she asked. “Is this a mistake? It’s not like you ever tried to protect either of us from this? I’m not saying it’s your fault. I didn’t stop you, did I?”

“This was a mistake. An error in judgment.”

His admission hurt so much more.

She closed up the pamphlets, pressed her lips together, and looked out of the window. They weren’t heading toward his penthouse. She’d been traveling back and forth a few times now to know the sights to see to let her know where they were.

“Where are we?”

Hunter brought the car to a stop outside of a building. It looked fancy. Old-fashioned woodwork and large windows. Dated, not decayed.

Logan climbed out of the car, holding out his hand for her to take. Still, no one spoke to her, and she followed them out of the car. If he planned to kill her, wouldn’t he have taken her to a warehouse or somewhere more private?

Stop thinking about death.

You’re a mistake, not a problem.

You did see him kill a man.

Why go through all of this when he could have killed me?

She wouldn’t go crazy or insane.

Hunter waited back in the car, and this was new for her. She didn’t know if she liked this or not.

She held off her questions as they entered the building. He walked her to the fourth floor where there were only two doors. Logan went to one, fitting a key within the lock and twisting.

He took her hand, leading her inside, closing the door, and flicking on the light.

“What do you think?” he asked.

It was a fully furnished apartment. There was no torture chair or plastic bag to capture her dead body.

Instead, it was warm. The heat surrounded her instantly.

Stepping into the apartment, she noted the large sofa, which dominated the sitting room. In the corner was a decent sized television. She wouldn’t have to squint to see. Rugs covered the wooden floors, but they were nice, along with a single coffee table. A vase of red roses sat in the center.

“Have a look around,” he said.

She stepped through to the kitchen and dining room. It was a nice space with modern appliances.

There were two bedrooms. One had a queen size bed, closet, and bathroom. The other was blank, carpeted, with no furniture.

“What do you think?” he asked, when she came out of the empty bedroom.

“It’s wonderful place. Have you bought it?”

He held up the key. “It’s yours.”

“Mine?” She stared at the key, refusing to take it.

“Yes, this is your apartment. Two-bedroom, luxury.” He shook the key, and she still didn’t reach out. “Fine, there’s more I want to show you.” He put the keys down and she finally noticed a stack of files and leaflets on the table. They were all neatly placed in a pile.

“I don’t know what college you’d like to go to, but I’ve made a selection.”

“College?” She frowned, stepping up toward him.

“Whatever it is you want, all you’ve got to do is pick.”

“I don’t know what is going on,” she said.

“You missed out on college, and you can do whatever you want. Any place you’d like to visit.”

“Logan, what is going on?” she asked. “I know I keep asking the same question, but I’m really confused. We go to the doctor’s and they confirm I’m pregnant. I thought this was good news. Now I’ve got an apartment, and you’re offering me college. I’m thirty years old.”

“So? Age doesn’t matter when it comes to education.”

“But what gives? This is all amazing. Don’t get me wrong, I’m really grateful, but I thought I lived with you.”

Logan sighed. “You can’t go back to Crow Valley. Not after everything that went down. I won’t allow you to, nor will I allow my son or daughter. You deserve more than what they had to offer.”

“And you think this place is it? What’s wrong with where you live? Are you moving in with me?”

He didn’t look at her.