"Get out of here." Her voice was as cold and sharp as an icicle.
But her jabs didn't seem to faze him. His rigid stance didn't change,
nor did his reaction.
"Just be patient, wife dear."
Her eyes flashed.
"I'm not your wife any longer, you bastard."
He shut the door and leaned against it, his expression still unchanged.
"You'll always be my wife," he countered in a chilling tone.
Gut-wrenching fear replaced Cassie's fury. Her stomach rebelled even as
her eyes raked over him. Five years had made little difference in hisappearance, except that he seemed bigger. Not taller, but stouter, likehe'd spent time lifting weights.
He'd grown a mustache, which gave his unlined face an added degree ofmaturity. But the buzz-style haircut hadn't changed, nor had his blueeyes; they remained as remote and dead as ever.
This couldn't be happening, Cassie thought again wildly. This had to beanother version of the nightmare she'd had during the years in hiding inwhich Lester and his cronies hovered over her in bed, laughing, holdingTyler out to her, then snatching him back.
Cassie shivered visibly.
"Taking a chill, dariin'? You know I'll be glad to warm you up."
"Stay the hell away from me!"
He looked her up and down, a sardonic twist to his lips.
"I have the right to go anywhere I please and that includes near you.
I'm a free man."
"How?" Somehow Cassie managed to squeeze that word through her stiff lips.
He grinned with unvarnished confidence.
"Let's just say I got lucky, dariin', and leave it at that. I'm out, and that's what counts."
Cassie wanted to die.
"And unless I screw up, I won't be going back." Lester winked.
"But we both know that's not going to happen. I've learned my lesson."
"And I can walk on water, too."
"Mmm, I see you still have that sharp tongue." He smiled an empty smile
as he sauntered deeper into the room and sat down, easing his legs out
in front of him.
"I want you to leave. Now!" Cassie's jaw was clenched so tightly that the words were barely audible.
"No."
"I swear to God, I'll call security."
"No, you won't." Lester gave her another empty smile.
"Not until you know what I want."
"I don't give a damn."
He merely shrugged.
"Actually, I'm a changed man. I got some of that religion your daddy
preaches from behind his almighty pulpit."
"You don't even know what the word religion means," she declared.
He smirked, then said in a jeering tone, "We'll let that be our little
secret. Among others."
Ignoring that barb, Cassie demanded, "Say what you came to say. This is your last chance."
"It's simple. I want you back."
She gasped.
"What?"
"You heard me. I want my wife and kid back."
Kid! Oh, dear Lord, Tyler. This time her fear was like a stake in the
heart.
As if he could read her mind, Lester went on, "I want us to be a family again."
"If you think for one minute I'd let you touch me or my child again, you're crazier than I thought."
Lester jumped up, his features turning fierce.
"Don't cross me, bitch."
Cassie held her ground, though she could hear her heart pounding in her ears.
"I'd advise you not to cross me!"
She didn't know how long she could hold on to her composure and bravado.
His presence had clobbered her mentally and physically.
Still, she had to find a way to get him out of there.
If she chose to call security, there was no telling what kind of ruckus
he'd create. However, if the situation worsened, she wouldn't hesitate to act on that option. Somewhere on Lester, there was a weapon; she would bet her life on that.
"I'd watch that smart mouth if I were you."
"If it's more money you want" -- "Now, that's awfully tempting, I'll admit.
But like I told you, I want you in my bed and my boy in my lap. Those
are my rights."
"Dammit, you have no rights."
"We'll see about that."
Lester's eyes hardened.
"I want to see Tyler."
"No!"
"You can't keep me from him."
"Get the hell out of here--now--before I make good on my threat and call
security."
Lester shrugged, then leaned over the desk, as if moving in for the kill.
Cassie tasted her fear in the form of bile, but she refused to move
herself.
"He's my son."
"Stay away from Tyler." Her voice shook.
"I'm warning you."