“What!?” Sia wheezed in shock. She slapped his fist away from her temple and rose to her feet. “How did you know? How did you know the real me except being the gym girl you know?” She probed, pinning Jake with her murderous glare.
“Relax. I’m not sure you’ll love to know the fucking truth.” He said amid a gale of laughter.
Scoffing, Sia snapped. “I’d rather you tell me the truth now.”
She already has enemies lurking around and with her mother’s stern words floating in her mind, Sia wants to be more cautious and know exactly who her new enemy is.
There’s a thin line between an unknown foe and a known foe. When you know who your enemies are, you’d know their tactics and ways to overpower them but in cases where you are heedless of who they are, you wouldn’t know how to tackle them when they launch their attack. You might be smiling with them while they stab you in the back with a rusty knife.
Now, Sia understands the real meaning of those words. The accident not long ago shows this enemy is baring his teeth really but doesn’t know how to react.
What if Jake wasn’t there to save her? By now, she’ll be stuck on a gurney in one of the private hospitals in Tallahassee.
“Who was the other man that chased the biker?” She asked to be certain who she saw.
Before Jake could speak up, her phone blared. Picking it up, she saw Lucas’s name hovering over the screen.
Harshly, she swiped the button and gushed. “Look now is not the fucking time to hear what rubbish you’ve got to say…”
“Are you okay, Sia? Where are you? Jesus, I’m worried.” Lucas said into the phone.
Sia got a wind of his ragged breathing and was curious as to why Lucas was asking whether she’s okay.
Putting two and two together, she remembered the man that raced after the biker. ‘was that Lucas?’ She asked herself.
“Sia listen that man did that on purpose. He’s a hired assassin I can feel it, Sia. Shit. You’ve got to be very careful…” He rasped out.
The worry lines forming on Sia’s face made Jake’s heart jerk in fear.
“Sorry to say this, I heard about your last attack and I’m worried it’s the same person hitting on you again.” Lucas gushed quickly. “You need to be conscientious, Sia.”
Anxiety surged through her veins. Even though Sia would love to lash out at Lucas, she can’t help but worry more about her safety than the skirmishes between her and her ex-lover.
“Fine. Thanks.” She mumbled and hung up the call.
Why would Lucas say that to her? They are sworn enemies and she feels nothing but hatred for him. He should stop. It’s making Sia soft-hearted and she fucking hates it.
Swinging her eyes back at Jake, she demanded for an answer.
“So? Tell me?”
Jake propped up to his feet and scooted closer to Sia. “Hey, I…I was stalking you.” He said. His eyes held a glint of remorse. “Not always, okay? I just wanted to know where you live and I followed you that day we left the restaurant, ‘Anything For Macalista.”
Jake’s words sank into Sia’s head and she scoffed. “You spied on me?” She yelled.
“I didn’t, okay…” Jake jumped into defensive mode but Sia’s paranoia blinded her.
“How am I sure you ain’t the one that sent that biker? How am I sure you’re not the one behind…”
Acting on impulse, she let the tears at the corner of her eyes spill down in frenzy. Jake was startled. He doesn’t completely understand why Sia’s crying but he acted on autopilot.
Inching closer to her, he drew Sia into a soothing embrace, stroking her hair.
“Shh…I can never hurt, pretty chick. Relax. You’re safe here.” He cajoled.
Hiccupping, Sia extricated from his arms and whispered. “They are coming after me. They want to snuff life out of me.”
“No one will. Listen, you’ll be fine.” Jake said patting her back.
Drying her cheeks, Sia nodded. “I should go.”
Sia wanted to free her wrist from Jake’s hold but he tightened it, inching close, he let his lips fall on hers.
Jake sipped the salty taste of her tears and waited for a counter-reaction from Sia. Getting none, he framed her cheeks with his palms and stabbed his tongue into her mouth, swirling it to every corner of her mouth. The kiss began slowly but transformed into a savage session as Sia circled her hands on his back and pried her mouth open, taking in Jake’s mouth assault.
She wants this kiss to rip
off the fear churning her stomach and the anxiety biting her skin.
Biting on her upper lip, Jake slithered his tongue on the edges of her lips then shoveled his lower lip into her mouth as he savored the medley of her tears and spittle.
Sia groaned into his mouth as she gulped the metallic taste of his blood. She bit on his lips, crushing him hard to her body and Jake whimpered as felt his lower lip sting.
Sliding his hand down at her sides, he scooped her up and Sia crossed her legs at his hip. The position enabled Jake to mold their mouths together and their heavy pants even.
He backpedaled to the couch and flunk on it, letting Sia straddle him. He tore his lips from hers and orally explored her cheeks, neck down to her chest. The groans rolling off Sia’s lips egged him on.
As he pervaded his sizzling kisses further down her chest, Sia pushed him off.
Her hot, ragged breaths stroke the skin of his cheeks.
“Don’t.” Sia hummed, trying to even her breath.
“Why? Don’t you feel attracted to me like I am to you?” Jake asked, firestorm of need swirled through him as he spotted Sia’s nipple poking through the fabric of her dress.
“I can’t do this. Not with you.” She murmured and hopped off his lap.
She darted her eyes around in search of her purse. Spotting it on the coffee table, she clutched on it
and spun on her heels.
“Look, you’re good Jake but I can’t do this. Thanks for your help.” She whispered.
On her attempt to leave, Jake captured her wrist and spun her around.
“You ignite a fire in me. I don’t care if you are a widow or not. I fucking want you.” He said in a throaty voice.
“You don’t understand. It has nothing to do with my being a widow. I should go.” She spilled.
“I’ll drop you.” Jake pled. “Please, let me ensure your safety, pretty chick?”
The entire ride to the Monson villa was met with pregnant silence as Sia’s mind reeled with thoughts about her mother’s words, the incident hours ago, Silas’s words…so many of them. Her heart slipped to her stomach.
When Jake pulled to a stop in front of the villa, Sia gathered a minuscule of strength and said, “Thank you.” To Jake.
He beamed at her and bobbed his head. He sure doesn’t know her reasons for keeping her identity discreet but he’s willing to conceal it. All he wants is to have Sia as his.
“Please, for now, keep what you know a secret.” She pled, ditching his sensuous gaze. The light chuckle he spilled is enough to convince Sia that he isn’t going to divulge her little secret.
Jake connected their fingers together and dabbed his lips on Sia’s knuckles before she alighted from the car.
Sia’s pulse spiked when she trailed into the villa. The thrumming of her heart and how pale her face is as she roamed around the Olympic-sized pool were alarming.
Michelle noticed it as she watched Sia from the kitchen’s gigantic windows. Before she could think further, Michelle was already outside, questioning Sia. Looking her in eyes to get a glimpse of the cause of her restlessness.
Sia brought out her phone and dialed Raymond’s number.
“I need to see you in the Monson villa. What time can you make it?” She fired into the phone when Raymond took the call.
“In an hour.” He said and Sia hung up, waiting for him to land.
“I was attacked today.” She to Michelle. Worry pleated on Michelle’s forehead. She probed further on where it happened and if Sia got hurt but Sia assured her she’s cool and how it happened.
Whoever pushed her off the road was paid as well. It was all a trick.
True to his word, Raymond arrived in an hour. Heat pulses through him like a conflagration as he settled his eyes on Sia.
Swallowing thickly, he gleaned his confidence which gave strength to his words.
“Mrs. Monson.” He called.
Sia nodded her head and send him a wry smile before walking toward the cabana where they settled.
Overlooking the pool, she began rattling the essence of their meeting.
“I need you to make an investigation for me, Raymond.” She took a gulping breath before pressing on. “Have you found anything lately?” She peered at him but he twisted his head ‘no’.
“I’ve a feeling the person I’m suspecting had a hand in the arson years ago is back and wants to kill me.”
Raymond deadpanned. If anything, he grunted in annoyance speaking with the same person he had attacked hours ago. Pretending to be nice ain’t easy especially when you’re the object of the discussion. Raymond’s trust and devotion are to no one else except Hera. She wields his life and he is to serve her.
“If that’s what you can conjure. Then it might be true. The person might be back and I need to make a deep investigation about it.” He told Sia when she finished rambling.
“Please do.” She hummed.