Elissa blinked. “I don’t know you.”
“I’m Gloria Buchanan and you know my grandson. Invite me in.”
The combination of the woman’s imperious tone and her relationship with Walker caused Elissa to do as she’d ordered. She stepped back and allowed the other woman to enter.
Gloria Buchanan was about Elissa’s height, very thin and erect. Her tailored dress screamed designer and the cost of her shoes would not only replace all of Elissa’s tires, but probably the transmission, as well.
Gloria stepped into the living room and slowly looked the place over. Elissa refused to flinch as her gaze lingered on the worn sofa or the mess on the craft table in the alcove. This was Elissa’s home and if the old woman didn’t like it, she could leave.
“You live here?” Gloria asked, her voice indicating her disbelief that such a thing was possible.
Right up until that moment, Elissa had been planning to offer her a seat and something to drink, but now she wasn’t so sure.
“You already know the answer to that question,” she said instead.
“You’re right. I do. I know many things, but I’m wondering if I can say the same about you. Say, for instance, about my grandson. He is a wealthy and important man. He is going to be taking over the family business very soon.”
The wealthy and important didn’t surprise her, but the business part did. “He hasn’t mentioned it.”
“Why would he discuss such a thing with you?” Gloria asked.
She ignored that. “What’s your point?”
“You are in over your head, Ms. Towers. Far over your head. Do you know who I am?”
Elissa suspected she meant more than just being Walker’s grandmother. “You’re dying to tell me, so go ahead. I don’t mind listening.”
“I am the reason our family is as successful as it is. I have single-handedly grown our four restaurants into-”
“Restaurants?” Buchanan? Buchanan’s the steak place? She’d heard of it, but never eaten there. She would need the cash value of the old bag’s shoes for that.
“We have four establishments,” Gloria said smugly. “Walker was born to money. Something you were not.”
“You’re stating the obvious,” Elissa said, both confused and annoyed. “Would you get to the point of your visit?”
“I want you out of his life.”
Elissa hadn’t known what to expect, but it wasn’t that. “Are you crazy? You want me out of his life? This isn’t 1890. You don’t get to dictate who your grandson is friends with. Besides, how did you even know I’m friends with Walker?”
“That is not important. What does matter is who and what you are. Do you think I want a former drug-using groupie in my family? Does he know, Ms. Towers? Have you told him how you slept around? How you slept with men to get jobs?”
Elissa held in a gasp of shock. How the hell had Gloria found all that out? “I never used drugs. As for the rest of it, no one cares.”
“A lot of people care. A lot of people would be interested in knowing your daughter’s father isn’t dead. He’s alive and as addicted as ever. I understand he gets in touch with you from time to time, asking for money. Wouldn’t your life be awful if he wanted custody of his daughter? The child you stole from him?”
How had Walker’s grandmother found out Elissa had told everyone, including Zoe, that Neil was dead? How did the old woman know about the money?
Elissa took a step back. She could handle her past coming back to haunt her, but no one threatened Zoe’s safety. “Get out.”
“Not yet. I have more to say. You will avoid my grandson at all costs. You will refuse to have contact with him. Do you understand me?”
This wasn’t happening, Elissa thought grimly. It couldn’t be. Her life was normal, boring even.
“I have a lot of friends in the community,” Gloria continued. “Good friends. Mr. Frank Church, for example. A very charitable man. He and I serve on several committees together. I believe he owns the restaurant where you work.”
Elissa felt hollow and more frightened than she’d ever been before. Frank was a big supporter of several local charities. He was on the board of two. He could easily know Gloria.
“If you don’t get out of Walker’s life, I’ll have Frank fire you,” the old woman said calmly. “I’ll enjoy doing it, as well.” She paused and looked at the craft table. “Tell me, Elissa. Does your landlord know you’re running a business out of your apartment? I’m sure you’re aware it’s a violation of your lease.”
This wasn’t happening, Elissa told herself. There was no way this woman was threatening her livelihood and where she lived.
“I don’t believe you,” she said. “Not any of it.”
Gloria’s gaze turned icy. “Do not stand against me. I will crush you like the bug you are. Walker will be moving soon. Until he does, stay away from him. If you don’t, I will destroy you and I will destroy your child. Do I make myself clear?”
CHAPTER SIX
WALKER ARRIVED HOME shortly after five. He saw that Elissa’s car wasn’t parked in the driveway, then cursed himself for noticing.
He knew better than to get involved with her. He knew it wasn’t right. He’d picked this place because he didn’t know anyone in the neighborhood, but that hadn’t been enough. He’d gone and gotten involved-which still surprised the hell out of him.
As he climbed the stairs, he found himself wishing she were home, that she would stick her head out and think up an excuse to have him in for dinner. He wanted it to be good enough that he couldn’t say no, even though he knew he was playing a dangerous game.
He saw something on his front door. An envelope. He didn’t recognize the writing, but he had a feeling he knew who had left it.
Anticipation in the form of wanting filled him. A need to touch and be touched, to claim, to give and take. He already knew her scent and the way she moved. Now he wanted to know her taste, her sound, her uniqueness.
He stepped into his apartment, then opened the envelope. Three ten-dollar bills fluttered to the floor. He unfolded the note.
Thanks for all your help, Walker. Here’s the rest of what I owe you. You’ve been great and I appreciate that, but we both know this isn’t going anywhere. You’re right to worry about Zoe-she’s very impressionable. So let’s part as friends and get back to our lives. Best, Elissa.
He read the words twice, confident he’d misunderstood. But the message was clear. She wanted him out of her life.
He accepted her decision. It was the right one-he’d known there would never be anything between them. Somehow she’d figured it out, too. It was better this way-better for everyone.
And yet…There was a nagging knot of worry in his gut. Something that told him Elissa wasn’t all right. Something that made him want to find her and talk to her.
Two nights ago, she’d been female temptation incarnate and he’d come damn close to giving in. What had changed?
He looked out his front window at the empty driveway. Elissa and Zoe were usually home in the late afternoon. Why weren’t they today? And if he couldn’t find her, how could he make things right?
“I CAN’T BELIEVE the old bitch threatened you,” Mindy said as she poured them both more wine.
“Me, either.” Elissa curled up in a corner of her friend’s sofa and willed the fear to go away. “I hate how she frightened me. I hate how I believe her.”
