“I…I don’t know how he got it. I never gave him your phone number. I never gave anyone-”
“Then who is Raul? Tell me, dammit.”
“I’ll tell you, Ransom. I will. But…not now.”
There was that fear in her eyes again and Ransom would do anything to find out what had put it there.
“It’s nothing, okay? Just trust me.”
Ransom almost laughed. How could he trust Solie when she’d been so quick to lie to his face? And this was the woman he’d just ask to marry him.
“Can you take me home, please? I’m tired. I just need to go to bed.” Shoulders sagging, she reached for her purse.
Ransom’s lips tightened but he nodded. All of a sudden he didn’t mind this early end to the night.
Right now he could do with some alone time. He had a lot to think about.
***
When Ransom dropped Solie at home she couldn’t get inside the house fast enough. She had to get away, to be alone for a while so she could think.
She said her goodbye and although she noticed he didn’t even try to kiss her she didn’t dwell on it. After what had happened tonight who could blame him?
When she closed the door behind her she leaned her back against it, needing to catch her breath. Finally, when her heart slowed to a manageable pace she pushed away from the door and headed for her bedroom.
After a quick shower Solie climbed into bed but only to toss and turn as she thought about what Raul had said. Months ago she'd threatened him and when he disappeared she’d thought she’d rid herself of him for good. But not anymore. Raul had gone into hibernation but now he was back with a vengeance. He wanted her back.
The ringing phone startled Solie out of her rumination. She grabbed it up quickly. Maybe Ransom was calling to check on her. But when she saw it was an unknown number her heart went still. She didn’t need to answer the phone to know it was Raul.
For a second she contemplated not answering but she knew she couldn’t avoid it. How else would she find out what he was up to?
She put the phone to her ear. “Yes.” Her voice cold, she held her breath as she waited for her tormentor to speak.
“Aaw, mi amor, is that the way you greet your long lost love? You’ve been missing me, no?”
Solie’s nostrils flared as she sucked in her breath. “Why are you calling me, Raul? And how did you get Ransom’s number?”
“Aah, you finally tell me his name.” The man chuckled in amusement. “You didn’t think I would find out, did you, novia?”
“How did you get his number?” Solie sat upright in the bed, her voice rising with each word. “Tell me.”
“And spoil the mystery? That would spoil the fun, nina.” His chuckle turned into an outright laugh. “Oh, it was so good to break into your little tête-à-tête. You looked so starry-eyed. What did he do? Ask you to marry him?”
Solie gasped and almost leaped out of the bed. “What do you know about that? Where were you? Were you watching us?”
Again, he tsked at her. “That’s for me to know and you to find out, sweetheart. Now listen.” Raul’s voice suddenly turned cold. “Like I told you earlier, I don’t want you seeing that guy anymore. If you don’t want him to get hurt you stay the hell away from him. You’re mine, do you hear me?”
Solie didn’t answer. Each time he said the words, threatening to hurt the man she loved, it was like her blood froze in her veins. She didn’t know what she’d do if Ransom came to any harm.
Raul’s voice broke into her thoughts. “There’s something very important I have to tell you. Something to do with that little friend of yours.”
“Ransom? What do you have to tell me about him?”
Raul laughed and it was a harsh and unforgiving sound. “If you want to find out there’s only one thing you can do. Tomorrow night you’re going out on a date with me.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Solie sat in front of the mirror, her face a study in worry. Within an hour she was supposed to be meeting with Raul at Timpano and she didn’t know what to do.
She hated the idea of coming anywhere near the man, and having to sit at a table across from him? The thought made her shudder.
But what else could she do? She had to know what was up his sleeve. He’d said he had important information, something to do with Ransom. No matter if she was putting herself at risk she had to find out what it was.
She’d contemplated taking another recording device but this time, she was sure, he would check her when she got to the restaurant. Still, if she could manage it without tipping him off, she would use her cell phone.
That plan turned out to be fruitless. As soon as she sat down at the table Raul reached over and picked up her purse then, to her annoyance, he emptied its contents right there on the table. Covering the cell phone with his hand he drew it to him. “I’ll hold on to this,” he said. “You can have it back after dinner.”
Solie glared at him but he smiled back, unfazed. With a hiss of annoyance she gathered up her lip-gloss, tissues, keys and pen and stuffed them back into the purse. “What did you have to say to me?” she snarled. “Get on with it so I can leave.”
“My darling, I’m hurt.” He gave her a mocking grin. “You’re not looking forward to spending the evening with me?” Then he shook his head. “We aren't going to talk about it until we have dinner. Just relax and enjoy your meal. We’ll talk business later.”
The next hour was sheer torture for Solie. In between bits of food Raul spent the time engaging in idle chit-chat, which nearly drove her up the wall. She felt like wrapping her fingers around his neck and squeezing till he begged for mercy. Instead, she gritted her teeth and gave angry mumbles in response to his attempts at conversation, her feet tapping impatiently on the floor as she waited for him to divulge the secret he’d used to lure her out on this date.