Solie bit her lip. She shook her head. She sniffed then grimaced then her lips began to tremble. And then, looking like the words were trapped in her throat, she nodded. “Yes,” she croaked. “I’ll marry you. I love you, Ransom Kent.”
“My darling.” Ransom drew her into his arms and then he kissed her and with his kiss he told her all that he hadn’t said before. He loved her with all of his heart and from here on she would have no doubt about that. When Ransom finally withdrew he found he had to turn away for a quick second. There was a sudden pricking in the corner of his left eye, forcing him to blink.
Solie took his arm, pulling on it till he turned back to face her. Her brows were knitted but there was a huge grin on her face. “Are you crying?”
“Who, me? Naah. Men aren’t sappy like that.” But then he spoiled it when he sniffed.
Accepting defeat, he reached for her and pulled her back into his arms. “You got me, kid. I’m going soft, but only for you.”
He was hugging her close when he felt the vibration in his trouser pocket. "Shoot. I thought I turned that off.”
He released Solie then dug the phone out of his pocket and glanced at the screen. An unknown number. Never one to ignore a call just in case of emergency, Ransom tapped the answer button and put the phone to his ear. “Ransom here.”
“This is Raul. Let me speak to Soledad.” It was the harsh, thickly accented voice of a man.
Shocked, Ransom didn’t even challenge the request. He handed the phone to Soledad. “It’s for you,” he said. "Raul.”
Solie gasped and her eyes grew huge in her face. Her hand that was holding the phone began to tremble. She stared at the device like it was a live grenade.
What the devil was going on?
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“H…hello?” Solie’s voice shook as she spoke into the phone, her face flushed and her chest heaving in her agitation. “Raul?”
She listened for a few seconds and then her face grew an even deeper shade of red. “No, I can’t do that,” she said. “I-” She stopped abruptly like the man had cut her off.
Something was definitely wrong. Ransom put out his hand. “Give me the phone,” he said. “Let me talk to this guy. Is he harassing you?”
“No, I…” Solie looked distressed but she shook her head and actually moved away, far enough where he couldn’t hear. Her back turned to him, he could see her shake her head again and her shoulders went rigid but she obviously didn’t want him to be a part of her conversation.
A minute later she hung up then turned to him, a look of regret in her eyes. And there was something else. Was it fear?
She came back to stand in front of him. Looking nervous she lifted the phone in her hand. “I’m sorry,” she said softly then waited for him to take the phone.
Ransom stared at her for a few seconds longer before he lifted the phone from her palm. He looked at the offending device in his hand then slowly slid it back into his pocket.
When he looked back at her he was frowning. “What was that all about?” he asked. “And who the blazes is Raul?”
“He’s…um…someone I knew back in Panama.”
Solie was stuttering. He could see she was lying through her teeth. She was looking him right in the face and telling him a friggin’ lie.
Ransom felt the bile rise in his throat. What the hell was she hiding? “How did he get my number? Did you give it to him?”
“I…I don’t know how he got it. I never gave him your phone number. I never gave anyone-”
“Then who is Raul? Tell me, dammit.”
“I’ll tell you, Ransom. I will. But…not now.”
There was that fear in her eyes again and Ransom would do anything to find out what had put it there.
“It’s nothing, okay? Just trust me.”
Ransom almost laughed. How could he trust Solie when she’d been so quick to lie to his face? And this was the woman he’d just ask to marry him.
“Can you take me home, please? I’m tired. I just need to go to bed.” Shoulders sagging, she reached for her purse.
Ransom’s lips tightened but he nodded. All of a sudden he didn’t mind this early end to the night.
Right now he could do with some alone time. He had a lot to think about.
***
When Ransom dropped Solie at home she couldn’t get inside the house fast enough. She had to get away, to be alone for a while so she could think.
She said her goodbye and although she noticed he didn’t even try to kiss her she didn’t dwell on it. After what had happened tonight who could blame him?
When she closed the door behind her she leaned her back against it, needing to catch her breath. Finally, when her heart slowed to a manageable pace she pushed away from the door and headed for her bedroom.
After a quick shower Solie climbed into bed but only to toss and turn as she thought about what Raul had said. Months ago she'd threatened him and when he disappeared she’d thought she’d rid herself of him for good. But not anymore. Raul had gone into hibernation but now he was back with a vengeance. He wanted her back.
The ringing phone startled Solie out of her rumination. She grabbed it up quickly. Maybe Ransom was calling to check on her. But when she saw it was an unknown number her heart went still. She didn’t need to answer the phone to know it was Raul.
For a second she contemplated not answering but she knew she couldn’t avoid it. How else would she find out what he was up to?
She put the phone to her ear. “Yes.” Her voice cold, she held her breath as she waited for her tormentor to speak.
“Aaw, mi amor, is that the way you greet your long lost love? You’ve been missing me, no?”
Solie’s nostrils flared as she sucked in her breath. “Why are you calling me, Raul? And how did you get Ransom’s number?”
“Aah, you finally tell me his name.” The man chuckled in amusement. “You didn’t think I would find out, did you, novia?”