Taking a breath, I switched off the ignition.

This was a serious matter. I wasn't just taking a trip down to the local bakery and ordering a scone. 

Jake had threatened the ones I loved. Multiple times. Who knew what he wanted from me.

Yes, he tried to kidnap me with Diedre's assistance. But it had never been clear why. 

I'd had ideas. The biggest one being that Diedre wanted me out of the picture, but it just seemed so simple. It had been clear that Dorinda had been violated in her younger years and he had been the culprit. 

What could he want now?

As I stepped out of the car, he began to saunter forward, but paused mid-step. His eyes were wide, focused on, what? My appearance? My demeanor? 

He looked like a lunatic. 

Making my way across the lot, I stopped in his line of view. In retrospect, this had been a terrible idea.

He yanked on my bare arm, pulling me against his chest. 

I froze, unsure of what to do. If things went sour, there wasn't much I could do. 

Sure, I could stick my fingers in his eye sockets or kick him in the nuts, but this man was built like a lithe boxer. 

Strange considering his age. Usually men with graying hair and crows feet allowed their physiques to wain so it was interesting to see. 

It actually made matters worse. 

"How I've longed to touch you like this." Jake murmured, his breath blowing a few strands of my hair.

I sucked in a sharp breath attempting to formulate a plan. What kind of person was he? How did he communicate? 

Could I convince this sick bastard? 

"Why?" I asked without much thought. 

He pulled back to get a good look at me.

I did my best to get a reign on my emotions, but I imagined I was pale as death. 

"I've wanted you for awhile, Kristina Addison. Everything I did was for you. I killed for you. I kidnapped for you. I tortured for you."

I shut my eyes attempting to blink away the tears. 

"You should have never taken Kylie. It was wrong, Jake. I know you're a decent person."

I didn't really. 

His face fell at my comment. 

"You're the reason they locked me away." 

Dear God. I had it with men lately. Why couldn't they take responsibility for what they did?

I sighed. 

"How did you get bail anyway? Did Diedre help you?"

This made his lips twist in a scowl. 

"No, of course not. That bitch took the first opportunity to throw me under the bus. I had to escape myself. It was difficult but I managed. Now I can have you." 

No.

My heart beat in my chest as I felt for the knife hidden in the waistband of my panties. How had I not recalled that until now?

Managing to yank out of his hold, he stumbled like some drunk. 

"You must know how wrong this is. How did you even know where this place was?" 

The question had been gnawing at the back of my mind for the last hour. 

"I've been following you for longer than you realize. I had to. What I don't understand is... Why do you defy me? All the others bowed to my mercy. You fight." 

It was odd that he wasn't attempting to drag me away, but I let the thought go.

Maybe he was too weak to do so. 

I shook my head, pulling out the knife and pointing it at him. He staggered, his face losing the last of its color. 

"I won't be a victim, Jake. That's something you didn't count on with me. You threatened the two people I love most in this world." 

He growled, baring his teeth. 

"Fucking Tiffin. It's him isn't it? That damn man is always in the way." 

Geez... This man was delusional. He was acting like some jealous lover. 

"So why am I here?" I urged. "You going to try to kidnap me again? It won't happen. I will scream and fight. I have a daughter to look after. She's everything." 

This made Jake pause for a moment, but when he moved next, he brandished what looked like a few squares of parchment. 

"I'm not that stupid Kristina. You're going to help me escape. It's the least you can do. My assets have been stripped from me. I need to go." 

It wasn't the best decision to make demands, but it seemed as if I had the upper hand at the moment. 

"If I refuse?" 

He thrusted out the parchment.  

"Then these will go live all over town. Not only that, but the sex tape your endearing husband released? I'll claim he raped you and your daughter was a result of that. He'll be ruined." 

My eyes widened at this. That tape was something I thought had remained in the past. This man was really willing to do anything. 

"Also," He continued. "If you refuse, I will not stop coming after that sweet little girl. I was promised another and she'd do just fine." 

My heart stilled. With that tape, I could have bartered. I would have but with him making a promise like this... I couldn't risk it. 

Looking down I saw that the squares weren't pieces of parchment at all. 

They were pictures.