Adrift, page 17
A picture of her mom and two men, all naked, in a horrifically graphic pose that made her cringe.
You don’t think I’ll do it? the next message read.
“What is it?”
She ignored Chase, too busy deleting the horrific image. Unfortunately, she couldn’t scrub it from her memory as easily.
“Bec?”
Her fingers were locked around the phone, every instinct telling her to flee into the house. Hide in her room until she could get rid of all the evidence so Chase wouldn’t see it.
He crouched in front of her and put a hand on her arm. “Bec, tell me.” His voice was low. Quiet.
She looked up from her phone, focused on him and took a shaky breath, willing her jerky pulse to slow down. “It’s him.”
He went for the phone, but she snatched it away and held it out of reach, pushing to her feet and backing up a few steps. Chase stopped and held up his hands with a startled expression. “Okay, I won’t look.”
A sick feeling filled the pit of her stomach. And her phone just kept on buzzing. Message after message, and she could feel Rick’s rage coming through each one.
I’ve got hundreds like them. And video.
I’ll leak them if you don’t pay up by the deadline.
See you found a boy toy to play with. You’re just like your slut mother.
He must have seen the pictures of her and Chase. She dragged her palm over her mouth, frantically trying to think what the hell to do.
“Becca, look at me.”
Chase’s low, calm voice made the rising panic recede slightly. She made herself look at him, standing a few yards away, his eyes full of concern. “What’s going on?”
“He’s upset that I couldn’t get all the money he demanded. He’s threatening to leak photos and video of my mom, and—” Her throat closed up. Shit, what was she going to do?
Chase pulled her into a hug, his arms locking around her. “He won’t do it.”
She shook her head, frantic. “Yes, he will. He hates me. Blames me for my mom leaving him,” she choked out, fear flooding her. She couldn’t let this happen. Couldn’t risk her mom ODing again. Just couldn’t. Her mom was all she had left.
“Shh,” he murmured, his hold strong and reassuring. “Just stop for a sec and breathe. Just breathe, sweetness.”
The way he held her, his concern and that sweet endearment, almost broke her.
She pressed close to him, squeezed her eyes shut and struggled to pull in a slow, deep breath, on the edge of tears. This couldn’t go on. She was at her breaking point, beyond embarrassed and angry and disheartened. But she was trapped, with no way out.
After a few moments, the sharp bite of panic eased enough for her to get control of herself. Chase eased his hold slightly and ran a soothing hand up and down her back.
“We have to put an end to this,” he said quietly, his mouth at her ear. “You can’t let him control you like this anymore.”
He was right, she knew he was. She just didn’t see a way to make it stop without jeopardizing her mom.
“You’ve lived with this constant threat for too damn long. He’s slowly destroying you, sweetness.”
She nodded, agreeing with every word, yet terrified of the consequences if she defied him. “I don’t know what to do,” she whispered.
“Tell your mom what’s going on first. Then tell Rick to go ahead and roll the dice.”
She jerked back, staring up at him in disbelief. “What?” she whispered, sure she had misheard him.
His gaze was steady, his jaw set. “Tell him you’re done. Go to the FBI and let him hang himself with whatever he does next.”
“I can’t do that,” she snapped, stung. “You don’t get it. My mom can’t handle those pictures and videos being leaked. She’ll start using again. And this time, she’ll kill herself for sure.”
He held her gaze. So calm. Determined. “Maybe you need to trust her more.”
She scowled at him. “I trust her completely.”
“Except with this.”
“You’ve never even met her,” she fired back, pulling from his hold and stepping back, hurting like hell. She’d thought he was on her side. That he would help protect her. God, she never should have told him anything. When would she learn?
“Maybe not, but everything you’ve said tells me she’s a strong lady, and that she loves you more than anything in the world.” He lifted an eyebrow. “You think she’d want you paying off that asshole time after time to keep her past hidden? To let him control you, make you live in fear, ruin you financially and emotionally just to protect her?” He shook his head. “I think you’re wrong.”
Becca swallowed the hot retort ready at the tip of her tongue and made herself pause. Of course, her mom wouldn’t want any of that. But if Rick leaked any of that shit… “I can’t lose her, Chase. I can’t,” she choked out, her voice breaking.
Empathy and understanding filled his eyes. Reminding her that he’d lost his mother. “I know.” He reached out to stroke his fingertips down the side of her cheek. “But you won’t. It won’t come to that. Because if he releases anything, he loses all his leverage. I don’t see him being willing to give up his source of cash.”
She held his gaze, battling with herself. She flat out didn’t have the money Rick wanted, so it was possible he might leak the photos anyway. And she was beyond tired of his shit. This entire, fucked-up and toxic situation.
She wanted it to stop. More than that, she wanted Rick to be punished for what he’d done—and was no doubt still doing to other women. Maybe she could save a few of them if she spoke up.
“Call her,” Chase said quietly. “Or I’ll drive you down tonight so you can talk to her in person. Tell her everything first, and then decide.”
She chewed her lip, torn. What he was asking was such a huge risk. But she couldn’t do this any longer. She was angry enough with herself that she’d let it go on this long.
She had to do something. Now.
Becca drew a deep, steadying breath, fighting back the fear spreading through her gut. “Let’s go now, before I change my mind.”
Chapter Twenty-One
The drive down to Myrtle Beach seemed much longer than the drive over to the Outer Banks had been. They didn’t talk much, but the tension coiled tighter and tighter inside Becca with each passing mile. Every time she worked herself into a knot and had the urge to tell Chase to turn the car around, she forced herself to take a deep breath and shore up her resolve.
This was the right thing to do. She had to do it. But oh, God, she was terrified of the fallout that would happen once she did.
“Want me to wait here?” Chase asked, turning off the ignition in front of the recovery house.
It was after midnight, but the downstairs light was on in the foyer. “No. Come meet her. She’s dying to see you in person.”
He held her hand on the way up the walkway, giving her a measure of comfort. This had to be damn uncomfortable for him, yet he hadn’t flinched or shied away. He was at her side, and no matter what happened, she at least had his support for now.
They were halfway up the front walkway when the door opened and her mom stood there dressed in a light sweater with a long skirt, her dark hair flowing around her shoulders. Her face lit up, a great big smile flashing in the glow of the porch light. “Well, this is a nice surprise.” She held out her arms to him expectantly. “You must be Chase. I’ve heard so much about you.”
He seemed startled for a moment, then grinned and walked into the hug. “Hi. Nice to meet you.”
Her mom pulled back a bit to study him, taking his chin in her hand. “Oh, believe me, the pleasure is all mine.” Becca hid a smile as her mom reached for her. “I’m so glad you brought him to meet me, mi amor.”
“Hi, Mom,” she murmured, holding on tight and pushing back the fear riding her.
“Hi.” She kept one arm around Becca and reached for Chase with her free hand. “You’ve been driving for hours. Come inside. I’ve got snacks ready for us on the verandah.”
Becca glanced at Chase, trying to get a read on his reaction, and the smile he flashed her helped ease the knots in her stomach. Her mom took them up to the third floor and out onto the verandah. Candles flickered on the wicker table where she’d laid out a spread of treats for them. The ocean breeze rolled over Becca, salty and tangy, holding a cool breath that signaled fall was almost here.
“Chase, what can I get you to drink? No alcohol here, but I’ve got sweet tea, juice and soda,” her mom said.
“Just a water would be great, thanks.”
“Water it is. Becca, I’ll grab you one of your favorite lime seltzers.” She disappeared into the house.
Becca sat on the settee, rubbing her suddenly damp palms on her jeans. She’d dreaded this moment from the second they’d left Chase’s house.
As if sensing her thoughts, he leaned across the table and grasped her hand. “How are you doing?”
“I’m terrified.”
He squeezed. “That’s what courage is. Feeling the fear and doing what needs to be done anyway.”
His words struck a chord inside her. She hadn’t thought about it before, but he must have experienced horrible fear and terrible situations in combat during his time in the military. If anyone understood what true courage meant, he did.
She gave him a grateful smile. “Thank you for being here. It means a lot.” Way more than he could possibly know. Aside from her mom, no one had ever been there for her the way he had.
He shook his head. “No thanks needed.”
Her mom came back out with the drinks, sat next to Becca and settled back with an expectant grin. “So? Tell me about yourself, Chase.”
He was relaxed and charming as ever as he patiently answered every question her mom put to him, and within minutes Becca could tell her mom was smitten. Not that Becca blamed her. And yet the whole time they talked, the tension inside her grew, pressing down like an invisible weight.
When the conversation finally lapsed and Chase looked at her, she knew her reprieve had come to an end.
He rose, giving her a reassuring smile. “Well. I’ll leave you two alone to talk.”
“Wait.” Her mom held out a hand to stop him and looked at her sharply. “What’s this about?”
Becca withheld a sigh. “I have to tell you something. Something important.”
Her mother searched her eyes for a moment. “Does he know?” She tipped her head at Chase.
“Yes.”
“Then he can stay.”
Becca shook her head. “Mom—”
“No. You brought him here, and that tells me he’s important to you. So whatever it is, if he already knows, then he should stay.” There was open concern on her face now, worry shadowing her beautiful brown eyes.
Becca glanced at Chase, torn. He waited, raising his eyebrows in silent question. “Are you sure?” she asked her mom.
“Yes. Sit, Chase, and then Becca can tell me what’s going on.”
As he sat back down, the amount of relief Becca felt at having him close for this surprised her. She licked her lips, wondering where to begin, recalling the opening lines she’d rehearsed in her head on the way down. “This is going to be upsetting for you, but I have to tell you. And before I start, I need you to know how much I love you, and that nothing will ever change that.”
Her mom put a hand to her chest, frowning. “You’re scaring me.”
“I know. Sorry.” She blew out a breath, summoned her courage, and began, the sound of the nearby ocean mixing with the thud of her heart in her ears. “Someone’s been blackmailing me for the past few years,” she began.
Shock filled her mom’s face. “What? Why? Who?”
There was no easy way to say it. Becca took her mom’s hand, held on tight. “Rick.”
Her mom’s face blanched. She stared at Becca, unblinking, and slowly, bright spots of color appeared on her pale face in the candlelight. “What?” she said in a stricken whisper.
Squeezing that rigid hand in her own, Becca continued, telling her everything, aware of Chase watching silently. Lending her courage and support.
The more she talked, the more her mother’s expression thawed. The shock and horror faded, replaced by anger, evident in her thinned lips, and the way her eyes snapped. “That evil, disgusting motherfucker,” she snarled when Becca finished.
Becca let out a slow breath, willing her heart to slow down, searching her mother’s face. Praying this hadn’t been the worst mistake of her life.
There was anger on her mom’s face. Shame. Regret?
Those big brown eyes shifted to her. “How long has this been going on?”
“Almost four years.”
Her mom hissed in a breath, her chin lifting. “How could you?” she accused, startling Becca. “How could you let him do this?”
Stricken, she shook her head, opened her mouth to reassure her mom that it wasn’t her fault, but her mom kept going.
“How dare you let him do this to you! To us!” She ripped her hand free and stood, pacing to the railing to look out over the rolling ocean, her body all but vibrating with rage as she whipped back around to glare at her. “All this time he’s been threatening you, taking your hard-earned, tax-paid money, and you never told me.” Her voice broke, her eyes shimmering with tears. “Do you not trust me?”
Oh, Mom. She was on her feet in an instant, her heart wrenching. “Of course I trust you. But I…I was worried you might…” She trailed off, feeling helpless, and distantly wondered what the hell Chase was thinking right now.
Understanding dawned on her mom’s face. “You thought I’d start using again.” She nodded to herself while Becca floundered for something else to say. “No, I get it. And you had every right to worry about that. But sweetheart, I’m in a much better place than I’ve ever been before.”
She crossed back to Becca, took her hands and held tight. “You need to stop this,” she rasped out. “Stop him, no matter what it takes.”
Becca swallowed against the pressure of tears. “But what if he leaks everything?”
“I’ll survive. Nobody actually ever died of embarrassment. That I know of, anyway,” she said dryly, surprising a weak laugh out of Becca.
Then she gave Becca a sad, brave smile that threatened to break her heart. “I’ll be okay, but more importantly, I don’t want you to live like this anymore.” She squared her shoulders, eyes full of fire. “And if you don’t report all this immediately, I will. Right now, young lady.” She pulled her phone from her pocket and thrust it at Becca.
Becca took the phone and flung her arms around her mom to hug her tight. “Okay. Okay, I’ll do it,” she choked out, and lost the battle to hold the tears she’d been keeping at bay.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Rick did a double take and stared at his phone when the response finally came back from Becca.
Go ahead and leak the videos. We’re done.
“What the fuck?” he snarled, unable to believe what he was seeing.
Was she for real? The video and images he had of Sofia would have the entire internet in an uproar within hours of him leaking them. People would doubtless assume it was Becca in them, and the ensuing scandal would hurt her career, even if the truth came out. Not to mention what it would do to Sofia, wherever that conniving bitch was.
He fired back an angry response, then tossed his phone aside on the bed and stormed into the attached bathroom. Gripping the edge of the sink, his mind spun.
What the hell? He didn’t believe for a second that she’d refused him because she didn’t have the money to pay what he wanted. That wasn’t what this was about.
Had to be that Hollywood beefcake she was fucking. He must have found out what was happening, and somehow convinced her to call Rick’s bluff.
Unless she had decided to call his bluff and go to the cops after all.
Rage punched through him, but it was quickly followed by a cold, oily burst of fear. He was almost out of money. He owed more than he had left in the bank. He needed another payment, fast.
Bending over the sink, he splashed icy water on his face and the back of his neck, trying to calm down, his thoughts racing. He didn’t have any new girls to sell. It would take him a few days to organize another delivery. He didn’t have that kind of time.
No. Becca would fucking pay him, one way or the other. If he had to slice up her boy toy in front of her to make her comply, so be it.
He stalked back into the bedroom and called one of his seedier contacts in the area. “I need a favor.”
“What kind of favor?” the sly voice asked.
“Need you to find someone. Tonight.”
“Another girl, I’m guessing?” he said in an amused voice.
Rick gritted his teeth. “Becca Sandoza. She’s somewhere in the Outer Banks. I need you to find her and give me her location. By morning at the latest.”
A pause followed. “It’ll cost you. Up front.”
Yeah, he was well aware of how it worked. “I know.” He’d worry about being broke later. This couldn’t wait.
Becca thought she could fuck with him? She’d soon see just how huge a mistake that was.
****
“Miss Sandoza?”
Becca pulled the edge of her thumbnail from between her teeth and tried to focus on what the female FBI agent was saying. “Pardon?” She couldn’t focus. Her mind was a jumble of chaotic thoughts and emotions, her insides in tight, burning knots.
She’d called the police right after she’d informed Rick that she was no longer paying him to stay quiet. Officers had arrived shortly thereafter, and after interviewing her and taking her statement, had put her in touch with the local FBI office.
“I said we can have someone out to your location first thing in the morning. Will that suit you? Seven o’clock?” the woman asked.
The sooner the better. “Sure.”
“Okay, perfect. I’ve already spoken to the local police. They’re going to station an officer outside your residence tonight, so you don’t need to worry.”
