Once Upon A Half-Time 2(161)
“You kidnapped me,” I whispered.
“I hope you’ll forgive me once we’re done.”
“Done doing what?”
“Negotiating.”
I tested the ropes on my wrists. They strained. Too tight. “Negotiating my freedom?”
He didn’t smile. “Negotiating mine, if you please.”
I never thought I’d be in a position of power over Nolan. “You don’t like the recording I have of you threatening Maddox.”
“It’s not admissible in court. We live in a two-party consent recording state.”
“Says the man who kidnapped me and tied me up.” Adrenaline helped to push the drugs out of my system. “I don’t care about the court. The media though…”
“This sound clip won’t help my election campaign.”
“I thought so,” I said. “You have an image problem, Mayor Rhys.”
“Not yet.”
Liar. “Your image is dishonest. You act like you’re perfect. The best name, the most money, the greatest education, the spotless record. You’re a mayor of a wholesome, small American town, and you think you deserve something bigger.” I stared at him, at his playboy hair and dazzling blue eyes. “Only I know the real you.”
“No. You bring out something in me, Josie.” He stared at my chest. “I don’t know if it’s something natural or just what you do to me.”
“Don’t blame me for your perversions.”
He tensed, almost angry. “I offered you everything.”
“And I wanted nothing from you.”
“Are you so sure?”
“You can’t give me what I want.” I didn’t trust him as he started to pace. “I hoped you’d go to jail.”
“I told you. I didn’t burn down your shop.”
“I know.”
“But I can get it back for you…”
I kicked my ankles. The ropes were looser around my feet, but I couldn’t get free. Nolan straightened his tie and tried to hide the frustration in his voice. He was willing to bargain even though he hated the offer.
“You have a sound clip in your possession that will damage my career,” he said. “Something that will end my campaign before it begins.”
I wished I had some water. My mouth dried, but that wasn’t as bad as my twisting stomach. It wasn’t a good time for morning sickness.
I faked confidence. “I thought we had an agreement. You stay away from Maddox, and I wouldn’t reveal to every media outlet in the state that you threatened to kill him.”
“Right.” Nolan sneered. “Because you love him.”
“More than anything.”
“I could have given you more than him.” He snickered. “You think my little threat is bad? Do you even know the type of man Maddox is? If you knew the things he’s done, you’d regret denying me.”
“But he’s never kidnapped me,” I said. “Never threatened anyone I love. Never hurt me when I refused him. Never presumed to know what was best for me.”
“I’m in love with you, Josie.”
“Then untie me. Let me go.”
Nolan swore. The hair on my neck rose. I didn’t like this side of him. He was bad enough in public, forcing me into meetings and conversations, but at least there we had a reputation to maintain.
Here? Isolated? Alone? The drugs he used to knock me out were potent, and my head still ached. I had to get away from him before he did something worse than kidnap me.
Before his love turned into lust.
“I want the recording you made of me. Delete it.” Nolan ran a thick tongue over his lip. “And maybe I can offer you something that will put all this unpleasantness behind us.”
“What deal?”
“I’ll help you rebuild your shop.”
“Will you bring a hammer and nails?”
He unfolded a paper from his pocket and held it up so I can see. “This is the original property deed and survey to your land. Bob Ragen was right. The land was subdivided improperly, and the county never recorded it. Technically…” He smiled. “You own both lots. Bob has no case against you.”
I leaned away in the chair. Nolan only stepped closer. “You kidnapped me to show me a clerical error from fifty years ago?”
“I thought you’d be happier.”
“I’d clap, but I can’t move my hands.”
Nolan liked that. “You’ll need money to rebuild. It’s yours.”
“Are you bribing me, or am I blackmailing you?”
“Call it a loan, no interest for the first ten years,” he said. “I’ll become the primary investor in your property and refuse my share of the profits. You get your shop back, your customers, your livelihood. Perhaps that would give you reason to forgive past indiscretions.”