"I know you're probably pretty scared right now. But you have the best guys on your side."
"I don't know any of you. I don't know who would want to hurt me either. I feel bad, getting everyone involved in my problems."
Adelina smiled.
"Hey, these guys are all like brothers. They stick together, and it will always be like that."
"They've all been friends for that long?"
"Since elementary school. You see Nash and Riker were Federal agents. They got out and were involved in numerous investment opportunities that made them rich. They own Hidden Treasures. Ever been there?"
"No. I don't really like to go out to clubs. Honestly, I'm always working."
"Yeah, tell me about it. Sometimes I feel like I live here."
"Anyway, Emerson and Stone, the two over there wearing the blue and black T-shirts, are crazy wild. Or at least they were until they met their woman, Toni. She owns Bliss, in SoHo."
"Oh God, that place is so well known. I didn't know a woman owned the place."
"Yeah. Toni is really nice, too. You met Cash and Zane. They were the ones along with Flynn and Jett that helped to locate you."
Tia swallowed hard.
"I was shocked when Hudson and Jagger found me. I thought I would never see them again."
Adelina smiled and then leaned closer.
"Honey, those two talked about you for weeks. They all meet here Wednesday or Thursday nights for poker. It's a tradition."
"That's very nice to have such close friends. What do you think they're talking about now?"
Adelina looked toward them.
"They're probably figuring out a way to protect you, and get you to Hudson and Jagger's penthouse without you being followed. That should be simple enough. I'm sure Cash and Zane will find out soon who's following you and threatening you. They're really good at that and own a security firm. Their girlfriend, Chiara, owns Costiano's."
"Wow. Their friends landed them some very professional and independent women." She knew she sounded defeated, and maybe even jealous. What was she? A designer in a company where she didn't come close to making six figures. Bethany had been making six figures.
"Hey, I hear you're a great designer-"
Tia Rose stood up. "I'm so sorry. I just thought of something. I need to text someone."
"Oh, okay. I'll leave you alone. I'll go see if the guys need anything."
"Thank you for the brandy," Tia Rose said to Adelina. She smiled and then headed out of the room.
Tia pulled out her cell phone. And when she did, she saw the text message.
Salvador? What the hell do you want?
She didn't read it. She just texted Alexa. Alexa was always on Facebook, and she also assisted Bethany in setting up her Facebook page. Maybe they could see where Bethany was and when her latest posts were.
She texted quickly, then went back to her main page on her cell to read the text from Salvador.
Hey, sweet buns. I was thinking about you. I miss you and was hoping to see you tonight. I stopped by, and there was some security tape on your door. One of the neighbors said you were robbed. Call me if you need a place to stay. I'd love you in my bed. It's always open.
"Who are you texting?"
Tia jumped as Jagger approached her from behind.
"Oh, no one. Just answering some messages. Nothing." She repeated as she placed the phone behind her and swallowed hard. Why she felt guilty for the text from Salvador, she didn't know. But she didn't want Jagger to see it. He and Hudson could take the message the wrong way.
He eyed her suspiciously.
"Are you sure that you told us and the police about everyone you thought could want to hurt you?"
He asked her and she thought about Salvador. He didn't want to kill her. He had already broken her heart, and now Leza probably dumped him, and he was in need of a booty call.
She nodded her head.
Then her phone buzzed, indicating that another text came in.
She didn't move.
"Aren't you going to answer that?"
"I can later."
"Answer it now. I'll wait," he said.
Jagger had such a way about him. He was demanding, bossy, and so downright confident and powerful when he spoke, she automatically wanted to do as he said. Which definitely made her body react too. Spread your thighs. Show me your wet, pretty, little pussy. His words in the bedroom came crashing back to mind.
She gulped and her phone buzzed again.
Now his expression grew firmer. "Answer it."
She didn't want to argue. She looked down at her cell phone and was relieved that it was Alexa. She opened it up. "It's Alexa. From work."
He didn't say a word. She read the text. It said that Bethany's Facebook page had a post from two hours ago. She was in Brazil on a beach, and she wasn't alone.
Tia sighed in relief. Okay. So Bethany was not after her.
She looked at Jagger as her phone buzzed again.
"Where are you, sweet buns? I know that you don't have anyone. You're alone, with no family or friends in New York. I'm waiting in bed for you. Hurry."
"Asshole," she said under her breath.
"What?"
"Oh, did I say that out loud? Forget it. It's nothing."
"Hey, we're ready to go. Just a few more questions for Tia Rose," Hudson said.
"Sure," Tia replied and began to walk toward Hudson and the guys. Jagger grabbed her wrist and the phone.
She looked up toward him. He appeared angry and she could see that small vein by his eye, pulsate.
"No secrets. We're here for you. Who texted you?"
She couldn't lie to him. And as Hudson approached and looked upset, she told them.
"So you thought that this Bethany could be the one threatening you?" Hudson asked.
"I checked with Alexa. Bethany is in Brazil."
"Well, that's easy enough to confirm. We'll take care of that," Cash stated.
"Any other texts?" Jagger pushed.
"Not any that I would like to discuss right now," she whispered.
"Why not?"
"They're personal, and not important." He held her gaze and she hoped that he would drop it for now. When they were alone, she would tell him and Hudson all about Salvador.
"Okay. We're ready then," Hudson said and she waited while they planned her departure from the club, through the back exit door.
Cash and Zane drove a black SUV with tinted windows. Tia was in the back seat between him and Hudson. Jagger wanted to know who texted her, but she held the cell phone tight as it went off again.
Nash and Riker followed in another car behind them. They would go in the underground garage at the penthouse, and get into a private, delivery elevator by Jameson. Hudson already spoke to him.
She fidgeted with the phone and when it went off again, she placed it under her arms to try and hide the buzzing.
"Okay. Who the fuck is texting you? And I don't want any lies or bullshit." Jagger raised his voice and Tia Rose jumped.
She must have seen his dark expression even though the light in the SUV was dim. Up front Cash and Zane remained looking forward.
"It's no one of importance, Jagger."
"Well, they keep texting you, so who is it?" Hudson asked.
She took a deep breath and released a sigh.
"Salvador."
"Who the fuck is Salvador?" Jagger asked.
She was silent a moment. "No one of importance."
"Then why does he keep texting you?"
"He's my ex-boyfriend, Jagger, okay. He found out about the break-in and he texted me."
"What's his last name?" Zane asked from the front seat.
"Why?" she asked.
"Answer him, and then we'll deal with the texts when we get home," Jagger replied.
"He has nothing to do with this," she added.
"How do you know? All bases have to be covered. How many times do you read shit in the paper about ex-boyfriends stalking their ex-girlfriends and then trying to kill them?" Zane stated from the front seat.
"What's the fucker's name, Tia Rose?" Jagger asked again.
"You're not helping, Zane," Tia stated firmly, and then she told them his last name.
"Send it to Jett and Flynn, as well as Riker and Nash," Hudson added.
Tia Rose leaned back in the seat and crossed her arms in front of her chest.
"Watch that attitude. It will cost you later," Jagger warned her and she shot him a look.
He held his expression and could see that she knew he was getting angry. Why didn't she realize that they were both concerned for her? What was she not telling them? Could she possibly have an idea who wanted to hurt her, yet she was holding back telling them? What about this Salvador asshole? How long were they involved? Was it serious? Did he hurt her? Could he want her back? Was she thinking it over?
Jagger ran his hands through his hair. He released an annoyed sigh and then looked at Tia Rose again. He was jealous and fearful and totally on edge.
"Salvador is a jackass. He means nothing. If you want to know the truth, he dumped me. He cheated on me and hooked up with some bimbo model. I was never good enough for him, and he always put me down, just like my parents had. His texts mean nothing. He's looking for a damn booty call," she blurted out.