“Get your phone out,” he growled in her ear. “Call the fucker. Or I’ll make sure George McGrath goes missing. Make it look like the old man got mugged when they find him. And Trixie...”
He let the threat hang in the air, heavy with menace. “She won’t recover from an accident.”
Shannon’s chest tightened, her breath quickening with fear.
“I hate you,” she hissed, her voice shaking with fury. “I fucking hate you.”
Fingers trembling, she pulled her phone from her pocket, scrolling through to Jamie’s name. Her heart pounded in her ears as she hit the dial button.
It rang twice. The moment Jamie’s voice came through, warm and familiar, her knees almost buckled.
“I was hoping you’d call, love,” he said, his voice richwith relief, with something else that made her stomach flutter. “You gonna invite me over for another bacon butty?”
Her heart screamed for him, but Niall’s knife dug in harder when she hesitated.
“Please don’t send any more presents,” she said, her voice breaking, a raspy whisper.
“Where are you? Is something wrong, Shannon?” Jamie’s voice rumbled down the line, confusion colouring his tone. “What’s going on?”
Niall’s grip tightened. The knife dug deeper, sending a jolt of pain through her.
“Get rid of him, permanently,” he muttered, voice dark and low.
“Shannon, don’t play games with me. Where the fuck are you right now?” Jamie demanded. “Are you at Meadow Dawn?”
Her throat tightened, and she bit back a sob. She could barely breathe with the blade tight to her throat, but she couldn’t let Jamie know just how dangerous things were.
“I’m fine, Jamie,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
She’d have to find a way to protect Trixie without leaning on Jamie.
“Bullshit,” Jamie’s voice snapped back, full of anger and authority. “I know you’re lying. Tell me, Shannon, or I swear to fuck, I’ll find a way to make you.”
“Did you think sending me food would make you my hero?” The bitterness in her voice was raw, real. “That it would make me fall for you? You can’t buy me, Jamie.”
Her vision blurred with unshed tears. Niall yanked her head back, the sharp edge of the blade slicing a thin line. Terror knotted her insides, making her dizzy.
“Finish it,” he whispered, his voice dark and full of threat, his breath fanning the shell of her ear.
Jamie wouldn’t back down. “Shannon, I’m not letting this go. Tell me what’s happening, or I’m coming to you in a fucking chopper.”
Her chest tightened and her knees went weak. How much did he care? How far would he go? None of it mattered now because she couldn’t put him or his father in danger.
Niall’s hold on her locked tighter, and her neck burned with the pressure. The agony of the situation, of the two men pulling her in opposite directions, was overwhelming.
She forced herself to speak, her voice shaky, as the words broke through the pain.
“Look. Back off, Jamie.” Her chest heaved with a stifled sob. “You don’t know me. I don’t know you. It was random sex that meant nothing to me. You’re like a damn stalker. Leave me alone.”
“Shannon,” Jamie said, his voice dangerously low, “I swear to fuck, I can hear it in your voice. You don’t mean that. You’re not alone in this, love. Whatever trouble you’re in, I’ll help you.”
His statement crushed her, the sincerity in his voice slipping under her defences. But she had to push him away. She couldn’t drag him into her mess, not with everything at risk.
“I don't need help. Not from you. Not from anyone. Leave me alone.”
With trembling hands, she ended the call, her heart breaking when Niall chuckled.
“Wise choice.” His words hit like acid. “Just remember, I’m always watching…and waiting.”
