The Darkest Danger (Shattered Series Book 2) Read Free

Seven days a week, 24-7, Maurice was basically her shadow, hovering on the fringes while watching her every move. Sometimes, she pondered if it were even safe to breathe. Not only that. She had no access to a cell phone or any other technology---
        Again, she fought against the rising frustration.
        Fortunately, thank goodness, she sighed, at least, she had the privilege of staying at the condominium alone---except for the bodyguard. Still, it was the closest thing to real freedom that she had.
         She frowned.
         Naturally, Matt didn’t trust her to not flee.
         And he was right to, she mulled, breaking eye contact. There’d been countless nights where she’d contemplated running away---
         But, where would she go, she thought, blinking back the tears. She was penniless, destitute, and broke. If she fled, she probably wouldn’t get that far. And worse, she sniffled, Matt would carry out his loaded threats and hurt both Jarrod and Meghan---
         When the doorbell suddenly pealed, she jumped.
         Through the glass’s reflection, she watched as the bodyguard opened the door, and her heart sank as Matt materialized at the threshold. With a curt nod, he dismissed the bodyguard. As the door closed behind him, Matt strode across the expensively decorated living room.
         She couldn’t dispel her animosity as she turned to face him. Raising her chin, she summoned what little bravery she had left.
         “Despite the puffy face and streaking tears, you look absolutely smashing, Olivia,” Matt murmured with an icy smile, taking her hands in his as he stopped before her. “Everyone will be raving about how you’re the most beautiful woman there, as it should be, since it is our engagement party. I expect you to have your composure and act together when it’s time.”
         “Have there been any developments or changes in the kidnapping case against Jarrod? And have you called your goons off, yet?” she asked, pulling free of his hold, and stiffened. Still, she fought against the sickening feeling at his brief touch. “You promised that you wouldn’t hurt him or Meghan. It’s the only reason that I agreed to come here in the first place. If you hurt either of them, I swear---”
         Matt’s face screwed in anger. “You pathetic little whore. Is that all you know to do---spend every waking hour pining after that lover conman of yours?” He blew an exasperated breath. “By some miraculous design, the bastard managed to make the $10,000,000 bail, and just how he did, I can’t fathom it. All that I can deduce is that he has friends in high places. But, he’s no longer on that hellhole island where they worship him at the altar. No, he’s back on US soils, and the good old American justice system will decide Sabatino’s fate.” His smile was lethal. “I hope he rots in prison for the rest of his miserable life. As for my ‘goons’ as you call them, they’re on him, and they’ll stay on him as long as he’s a threat. But, trust me---Sabatino won’t be a problem much longer.”
         She held her breath. But, still, the pain stabbed her heart like a jagged knife. “Where is he?”
         Matt released a frustrated breath. “Upstate New York and he’s hiding in that impenetrable fortress of his parents. The place is like Fort Knox, and it’d take a damn army to get in. But, when he does go out, my men are watching him like a hawk. Nothing that he does escapes my notice.” He gave her a long look. “Don’t his actions prove to you that he cares nothing about you? Why hasn’t he come to your rescue and saved you from my clenches?” His smile was cold. “No, the bastard cut and ran when he had the chance. Once the truth was ousted, he no longer had use for you. But, you don’t care about that, do you? And that makes you even more pathetic than you already are. Hate to break it to you. But, right now, he’s probably ramming his