“I’m going with you.”

“You are supposed to have dinner with your parents and go out with your sister tonight. I’m not ruining your plans.”

“You think it’s going to make him less pissed that you cheated on him because you were drugged? You might need some backup.”

“I’m not going to tell him about that.”

“Why not? Are you nuts? Otherwise he’ll just think you’re a total bitch.”

“He’d tell his father and he’ll twist it somehow against the NSO. He’s a dick like that.”

“That’s true.”

“I’d rather just take the heat and get out as fast as possible. He blew it before I ever did by pulling that stunt with the weekend getaway. I had my eyes opened that he’s kind of a jerk.”

“I’d use stronger words like douche bag but all right. You call me if shit hits the fan and you need me to come home and eat ice cream with you.”

“Deal. Right after I get my cell phone returned.”

She grabbed her spare keys and hoped she didn’t get pulled her over since her wallet was with her purse. Her car was in the underground parking garage, which exited behind the building. Beth should be able to distract the press while she slipped away.

The twenty-minute drive was uneventful but Beth’s parting words kept repeating in Vanni’s head as she drove up to the gates at the Woods estate. Don’t do this. It’s stupid.

She’d only been there once with Carl when they’d first begun dating. It was when she’d met Gregory, who owned the reclusive vacation home in the hills. It hadn’t gone well. They’d disliked each other on sight.

A man in uniform stepped out of the tiny guard shack and held up his hand. She slowed to a stop and pressed the window button. “I’m Vanni. Carl is expecting me.”

He frowned.

“He called and told me to come here to collect my things.”

The guard used a two-way radio to contact someone at the house. “A Vanni is here to see Carl.”

“Send her up,” another voice ordered.

The guard hit a button inside the shack. The gates slowly rolled open and Vanni pushed down on the gas pedal. The paved, narrow road wound upward around a few turns and opened into a vast circular driveway. She parked in front of the house.

Her nerves were a mess. The plan had been to return the engagement ring to Carl by mail but that was before he’d held her belongings hostage. The message he’d left had been clear. She could either come to meet him or not get her things back. It was possible he was afraid she’d keep the expensive ring that had belonged to his grandmother. It was insulting that he thought so little of her.

She climbed out of her car and gripped the jeweler’s box in her fist as she climbed the stairs and rang the doorbell. Waiting for the door to open so she could finally face Carl was torture on her queasy stomach.

The door opened and a man peered at her. He was a tall man with a blunt haircut and harsh features. It was difficult to determine because all Gregory’s people wore suits but he was probably one of their many bodyguards. “This way.”

She blew out a breath and followed him down the hallway to an office. Carl sat behind the desk. He hung up the phone and stood.

“Thanks, Bruce.”

“No problem, sir.” He shot Vanni a dirty look. “I’ll be close.”

She managed not to roll her eyes. It was ridiculous if he thought she was dangerous. The grim situation dampened her attitude though when she saw how tired her ex looked. Dark circles rimmed his eyes and his normally perfect hair was a bit mused.

“Here’s your grandmother’s ring.” She set it on the edge of the desk. “I wanted to apologize. I never meant for any of this to happen.”

He reached over and snapped open the lid and examined it.

“It’s the right one.” His action irritated her.

He closed the lid, opened a drawer and dropped it inside. “I don’t know what you’re capable of anymore.”

Her lips remained sealed. I deserved that. Ouch.

Carl kept the desk between them. “Why didn’t you just go to the room the way I told you to? None of this would have happened if you had.”

She knew he deserved some answers. “I was mad at you for tricking me into going to that hotel for the weekend. The last thing I wanted to do was pace around the room after our argument or get more lectures from Mable about how I’m not good enough for you. I told you she’s mean. I just thought I’d have a drink, relax a little and then go to bed.”

He stared at her, his mouth a tight line of anger. She knew that expression well. Disapproval was something she often got from him. Their relationship was over but she felt no pain at the loss. Beth might have been right. It would have torn her apart if she’d really been in love with Carl but instead she just wanted to get away from him.

“I’m sorry. We shouldn’t have been engaged to begin with. I concluded that over the weekend. You’re always saying mean things to me and I resented it more than I realized. It’s best for both of us that our relationship ended. I’m never going to be the kind of woman you keep trying to mold me into. I wish you a happy life, Carl. I’ll get my things and go. You’ll never hear from me again.”

He inched around the desk. “That’s it? That’s all you have to say?”

“I never meant to hurt you.”

He stepped a little too close for comfort. “No excuses?”

“It happened. I would have told you even if it hadn’t been all over the television. I had planned to see you tomorrow when you came home from the hotel. Obviously you had to leave early. I’m sorry. I don’t know what else to say.”

He appeared a little shocked and irate at the same time, while he closely studied her eyes. Vanni wasn’t sure what he hoped to see but he took a step back and anger won out when he cursed.

“You can’t be that stupid.”

“Excuse me?” That wasn’t a response she expected.

“You were drugged. Why aren’t you telling me that? Didn’t you realize? Feel weird? You should throw yourself at my feet and beg me to still marry you. Dad said you’d do anything to gain my forgiveness.”

The world tilted a little as she stumbled back a step. How did he know I was drugged? Has it leaked to the press? She hadn’t told anyone except Beth. Her best friend wouldn’t betray that secret. It was possible the NSO had released the details. She gripped the desk to steady herself.

“Say something!” Carl yelled, making her jump. “Beg me to forgive you and tell me how it wasn’t your fault.”

It took her a few moments to pull herself together. He appeared to be having a meltdown. It was a bit surprising since she didn’t think he’d take their breakup that hard. He’d been kind of remote emotionally the entire time they’d dated.

“I wouldn’t do that. I slept with another man. I know it’s over. I don’t expect you to still marry me. I couldn’t go through with this wedding even if you somehow managed to get past what happened. I can’t.”

His complexion reddened and he started to breathe faster, almost panting with rage. It scared her a little.

“Where is my stuff? I’ll go.”

“Just like that?”

“What else do you want me to say? Neither of us can pretend nothing happened. Everyone is talking about it. I’m so sorry if this hurt you, Carl. I think I should just get out of here and you’ll never have to see me again. I honestly believe this is for the best. We wouldn’t have had a happy marriage.”

“Did you know you were drugged?” He seemed to be working himself up into a temper tantrum.

“I realized. It doesn’t change the outcome though.”

“What are the police going to do about it?”

“I didn’t go to them.”

“Why not?” He advanced, getting too close again, and kept yelling. “You should want that rapist in prison!”

“He didn’t drug me and it wasn’t rape.”

Carl grabbed her arm. “What?”

Vanni really wanted to get out of there. “You heard me. Just tell me where my things are. I want to leave.” She tugged her wrist, trying to break his hold. “Let go. You’re hurting me.”