Love, Honor, and Betray by Roby, Lawson (ebook reader ink txt) 📕

devastated. She couldn’t fathom why he was doing this. He had no reason. “What is it you want from me?”

“I already told you. So, either you plan on meeting me at our same little love nest or I’m calling Pastor Black. Understood?”

Charlotte knew he wasn’t playing. The tone in his voice confirmed it, and she could only think of one way out of this. “I’lldo anything but that. I’ll even pay you. All you have to do is name your price.”

“I don’t want money.”

“Why?”

“Because.”

“Because what?”

“What I want is to have my way with you whenever I want.”

Charlotte was speechless.

“I know this must be a lot to take in so suddenly, so I’ll tell you what. I’ll give you two or three days to get used to theidea, and then we’ll schedule a time to meet.”

“But—”

“But nothing,” he said. “I’ll call you soon.”

Charlotte waited for him to say more, but he hung up. She couldn’t believe this was happening. Worse, she couldn’t believeshe’d been stupid enough to get drunk and sleep with this lunatic. He’d been a complete stranger, but to her, it really hadn’tbeen all that big of a deal. Simply about two people having a good time and then moving on with their lives. But apparentlyTom had decided otherwise.

What really worried her, though, was that he didn’t want money. He was blackmailing her but didn’t want to be paid in dollarsand cents, and that made her nervous. What he wanted was for her to have sex with him again, and she couldn’t do that. Sleepingwith Michael was one thing, but sleeping with Tom or any other stranger on a regular basis wasn’t an option. Or did she evenhave a choice? Especially since Tom had made it clear that he would tell Curtis about them if she didn’t do what he asked.So what was she going to do? How was she going to fix this latest debacle she’d created?

Truth was, she had no idea. She hadn’t a single clue, and all she could hope was that this new dilemma would go away quietly.Maybe Tom would forget about her and that would be the end of it. Somehow, though, she knew this was wishful thinking andthat she would have no choice but to deal with him head-on. She could just kick herself for being so foolish.

Chapter 25

This is a quick summary of what we’d be looking at interest-wise and how much we’d be paying back over a period of thirty years,”Raven said, passing around copies of a document that outlined information for the additional loan they were considering takingout. Curtis, all the elders, and a few other fi­nance committee members were in the conference room discussing the possibilityof purchasing a pretty nice-sized piece of land situated next to the new building. Raven passed Curtis his copy but couldbarely look at him, and Curtis knew it was because of the way she’d tried to come on to him last week. She was having a toughtime being in his presence, and he couldn’t deny that being around her felt a bit awkward as well, especially since he couldn’tignore how radiant she looked today.

Curtis scanned the sheet of paper. “This all looks good, and of course, the plan will be for us to pay the entire loan offmuch sooner than thirty years.”

“Exactly,” Elder Jamison added. “So, if you ask me, we can go ahead and take a vote right now, because the last thing we wantis to take a chance on someone else coming along and buying it before us.”

“I agree,” Curtis said. “There’s so much public enthusiasm about the new church that we’ll need to build on an addition inno time. And when that time comes, I want us to be ready.”

Elder Dixon set the document down in front of him. “You know the old saying, ‘When you snooze you lose,’ so we need to jumpon this immediately. Need to snatch that property up before it’s too late.”

Everyone else in the room agreed, but they took an official vote anyway. The outcome was unanimous, and after discussing afew other minor items, Elder Jamison adjourned the meeting. As everyone got up, preparing to leave the room, Curtis askedRaven to stay.

Elder Jamison was the last person to exit, and when he closed the door behind him, Curtis looked at her.

“I thought it might be best if we had a conversation about the other day.”

Raven made direct eye contact with him, but only for a second, and then glanced away.

“Look, the bottom line is this. I don’t want you feeling bad about any of what you said, and I don’t want things feeling strangebetween us. We’ve always had a great working relationship, and there’s no need for that to change now.”

Raven looked at him again. “I never should have said those things to you, regardless of how I was feeling. I had no rightapproaching you that way.”

Curtis smiled. “But everything you said was the truth, though, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then, there’s nothing for you to worry about. I wasn’t offended. Shocked, maybe. But not offended or upset with you.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

“I mean it. There was no offense taken, and I don’t want you walking around feeling embarrassed or out of place.”

“That really helps, and I have to admit, I’m very relieved. I was so worried that you were angry with me and that my job mightbe in jeopardy.”

“No, not at all.”

“If I could take everything back, Pastor Black, I would. And again, I’m really sorry.”

“Apology accepted. Now get back to work,” he said, smiling.

Now, Raven smiled as well. “Oh, and were you able to contact Richard Cacciatore okay?” She was referring to the attorney she’drecommended to Curtis.

“Yes, I did, and we had a good conversation. I like him already and can tell he’s as knowledgeable as you said he was. I’lldefinitely be hiring him on at some point to handle a few items for me.”

“Great. I’m glad you felt comfortable with him.”

“I did, and thanks again for the recommendation.”

“No problem.” Raven slid her seat in close