Ransom slumped onto the stool, rested his elbows on the island’s ceramic top and dropped his face in his hands. On top of his headache Solie had talked about giving him an explanation. He didn’t want to hear it. There was nothing she could say to make things right.
He was still mulling over that thought when he heard the front door open and footsteps marching down the hallway. That was what he got for giving her a key to his home. She could barge in any time she wanted, including now when he just wanted to be alone.
“Ransom Kent, I have something to tell you and you’re going to listen.” She’d started talking before she’d even rounded the corner. She burst into the kitchen then pulled up short. He could hear her come to a screeching halt.
“Ransom. What…have you been drinking?”
He didn’t lift his head from his hands. “What do you think?” he groaned.
“But you don’t drink. You know it gives you terrible headaches.” She came over and rested a hand on his shoulder.
He knew he should shrug it off but it felt good to have it there. He didn’t look up, just continued to sit with his head down, saying nothing.
Solie heaved a sigh and withdrew her hand then went to sit on the stool beside him.
He heard the clatter of something she’d dropped on the counter. It made him look up for the first time since she’d come into the room.
“Listen,” she said and pressed the button on the digital recorder.
Immediately, Ransom heard the rough voice of Raul and he and Solie were in heated conversation, with Solie demanding to know why he’d barged into her home and why he’d been threatening her.
She let it run for a minute longer and then she snapped it off. She looked at him, her face devoid of emotion. “He’s my ex,” she said, her voice leaden. “I found him in bed with another woman. I ended the relationship over a year before I met you. Then all of a sudden he shows up on my doorstep, demanding that I take him back.” She shook her head. “The man is crazy.” Then she looked over at Ransom and that was when he saw that the fire was back in her eyes. “I could kick myself. I had this proof and I threatened him with it. I told him if he didn’t leave me alone I was going to the police.” Her lips tightened then she dropped her eyes. “I didn’t.”
“Because you still have feelings for him.” Ransom’s heart tightened as he stared at her.
“Are you mad? Why would I have feelings for him? It’s you I love.” She was glaring at him like he’d said the stupidest thing in the world.
“So what was that all about? Tonight on your doorstep?” Ransom never took his eyes off her face. He had to see if this time she would tell him the truth.
To his surprise she didn’t drop her eyes. She didn’t turn nervously away. Instead, she reached out and took his hand. “I love you, Ransom, more than I’ve loved any man in this world. And that’s why I hope you’ll believe me when I say that what you saw looked terrible but it was not of my doing.” She squeezed his hand. “Raul made a threat against you and the only way I could find out what he was up to was to go out with him. In the end I found out it wasn’t a physical threat. He wanted to use me to mess up your reputation. He threatened to spread rumors that I was transporting drugs from Latin America. Because of our relationship that would have implicated you.” She shook her head. “When he said that, I knew it was time to go to the police. I got out of there real fast.”
“But then you ended up kissing him.”
“No, I didn’t. He kissed me. I didn’t know it but he followed me from the restaurant and grabbed me on my front porch. He forced himself on me. That’s the truth, Ransom. I’m not lying.” She stared at him with earnest eyes and Ransom knew that what she said was true. He could see it in her direct, unwavering gaze. He could feel it in the strength of her fingers squeezing his.
He drew in his breath then expelled it in a whoosh. All of a sudden his headache was gone. “Then there’s just one thing we need to do right now.”
“Go to the police?”
He nodded then slid off his stool, pulling her with him. “Let’s go stomp that cockroach into oblivion.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
"Talk about a man crying like a baby. That's how it usually goes with bullies. All bravado and no backbone." Solie was cracking up as she described the blubbering mess that was Raul when the police took him in for questioning.
“So how’d you get him to come back?” Kyra asked, in between guffaws.
“Oh, he was more than willing to come to my house. I just promised him I’d have a surprise for him.” She chuckled. “This was after I told him his kiss stole my breath away.”
Dominic frowned. “But why invite him back to your place? I thought you wanted to avoid the man.”
“Weren’t you listening?” Kyra scowled at him.
“Shh. Leave him alone.” Solie gave Dominic a patient smile. “It was the police who came up with that plan. They knew it would be hard to track Raul down so they decided to make things a whole lot easier by bringing him to us.”
Dominic cocked an eyebrow. “Makes sense.”
“Of course it did. What did you expect?” The look Kyra gave him said he was way too slow.
Solie smiled and shook her head. Poor Dominic. "Anyway, guys, I’ve got to go. Ransom’s picking me up in an hour. He’s taking me to pick out my engagement ring.”
“Woohoo. You go, girl.” Kyra put her hand up for a high five and Dominic, not to be outdone, hopped up from his chair and leaned over the reception counter to do the same.
Solie was in high spirits when Ransom pulled into her driveway. She hopped into his car and leaned over to kiss him on the lips.
“You look delicious today.” He smiled as his eyes roamed over her, taking in the frilly white blouse that fell off one shoulder and the hip-hugging navy blue skirt with the cute slit just above her knee.
“Aah,” she said, dropping her gaze and playing bashful, “I bet you say that to all the girls.”