Hold Me Tight

Chapter One

Eric

“Where is she, Lauren?”

The icy wind stings my eyes. I duck my head, pressing my phone to my ear, straining to hear what I already know in my gut.

Lauren has Ivy.

I never should have left her sitting out here alone. I thought we’d talk things out later. I never meant to make her feel like her only option was to run away from me.

“Hello to you too, Eric,” Lauren greets me in that sickeningly sweet way of hers. “There’s no reason to be so gruff. Ivy’s exactly where she needs to be for the time being.”

Great, she already has some maniacal plot in motion. And now she’s just calling to gloat.

My fingers feel frozen as I fumble with the door handle of my truck. I hurriedly get inside and slam the door. I have to play this smart. Get Lauren to leave me some breadcrumbs so I can pick up a trail. Ivy’s life may depend on it.

“Are you still at the office?” I ask, going on the offensive.

“Why? Are you planning on coming over? Because I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” Lauren warns.

Her immediate rejection of my offer throws me off balance. “Funny, I thought that’s what you’d want,” I reply haughtily to hide my anxiety. “Isn’t this all about getting my undivided attention?”

“Maybe in the past…but not now. Especially after you ran me off your property the last time I saw you. Eric, you’re too volatile. You need to pull yourself together before I’ll even consider meeting with you one on one,” she informs me, keeping her tone low and seductive despite her hostile intent. “I don’t particularly like being chased by a madman.”

I force myself to concentrate on the snowflakes swirling against the windshield, anything to keep me from snapping at her and blowing my one chance at finding out where she’s hiding Ivy. The situation couldn’t be more precarious. I have to be careful in how I handle it.

I decide to go for broke, taking a more direct approach. “Well then, if it’s not me you’re after, why don’t we cut to the chase? Tell me where she is, Lauren.”

“She’s being very well cared for. That’s all you need to know.” Lauren laughs, enjoying my discomfort. “Ivy’s in very good hands.”

“Lauren, you better—”

She doesn’t listen to a word I say as she continues to talk over me. “Big, strong, masculine hands…”

“That’s it.” I turn the key in the ignition. “I’ll be at your office in five minutes and you’re gonna tell me—”

“I don’t have to tell you anything,” she states, seemingly eager to defy me. “You’re not the one calling the shots anymore, Eric. What I say goes. And I’m telling you to back off or you’ll never see Ivy again.”

“Don’t do this, Lauren. I know Ivy’s in the area. She’d never miss one of her doctor’s appointments. It’s only a matter of time until I find out where she is. You might as well tell me now, and maybe I’ll go easy on you. I might even convince Ivy to finish the screenplay.” I know I’m caving way too soon, but this isn’t about me. It’s about Ivy. It’s about our baby. It’s about my ability to protect them. At this point, I’ll do anything to get Ivy back, even if I have to lie to Lauren in order to do it.

“Ivy already agreed to finish the screenplay, Eric. Why would I need you to convince her of anything?” Lauren snorts, not making the slightest effort to mask her contempt.

“What are you getting at?” I struggle to keep my voice steady, not knowing where she’s going with this.

“Eric, Ivy called me. She set this all up. It sure wasn’t my idea.”

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to block out what Lauren’s telling me.

“I didn’t kidnap her or force her to meet my demands against her will. She offered herself up readily, determined to save her unborn child from the likes of you. How could I say no to that?”

I can feel Lauren’s red-lacquered nails digging into my chest, tearing it open as she feasts on my heart.

“Lauren, I swear to God—”

“Now, Eric. Relax. No one wants to see you lose it again. Just accept things for what they are. Ivy left you. She’s not coming back.”

She’s so smug. She thinks she’s won, but I’m not letting Ivy go. Not without a fight. If she’s really done with me, she’s going to have to tell me to my face. There’s no way I’m buying that it’s over between us just because Lauren says so.

“I will never give up on Ivy,” I whisper ardently.