Page 62 of Loving Her Enemy

The chef nodded as he began clearing the table. “As you wish.” He said something to the band leader, probably letting them know they could wind down, before he returned to the kitchen. Sloane leaned over to Halayna. “I recognized that look on your beautiful face.”

She laughed. “Good. Glad you can catch a hint,” she said, still laughing as she gave him a quick kiss on the mouth just as his phone buzzed again. “You go ahead and answer that while I run to the lady’s room.”

Sloane was going to motion for Hershel to follow her, but his friend was already moving. He positioned himself at the edge of the hallway where he could keep an eye on both of them.

When Sloane’s phone stopped, then buzzed again, he pulled the device from his pocket and glanced at the screen. He didn’t recognize the number but after a slight hesitation, he answered.

“Hello?”

“You sneaky son of a bitch! You got me out of the way so you could have Halayna for yourself! You think you’re going to get away with this?”

Owen.

Sloane leaped out of his seat, which immediately caught Hershel’s attention. His friend straightened and started toward him, but Sloane put up a hand to stop him. He pulled the phone away from his ear and waved it while also pointing at the device. He saw the moment Hershel understood what he was saying.

It’s Owen. See if Van can trace the number.

Hershel gave a thumbs up and made a call. Chances were, Owen was using a burner phone, but maybe they’d get lucky and still be able to trace the number.

Sloane also remembered Van had installed an app on his phone, and he pressed the number four to start it.

“I knew you wanted her!” Owen was yelling into the phone. “I told Halayna you were in our business because you wanted her for yourself. I wonder what she’d think if she knew you paid me to leave her. That you paid me off!”

Unease crawled through Sloane. He was out of time. He had to tell Halayna tonight. In the meantime, he needed to find out where Owen was hiding. He wasn’t concerned that he’d come out in the open because there was no doubt he knew about the warrants out for his arrest. But he couldn’t be sure of the man’s end game.

“How did you get this number?” Sloane asked.

He might’ve been trying to stall him, but Sloane wanted to know. It was his personal number and only a few people had it.

Owen released a humorless laugh. “You of all people should know when you have enough money, you can get pretty much anything you want. Thanks to you, I fall into that category.”

“What do you want, Owen?”

“I should be asking you that since I’m fairly sure you either have someone following me or tracking me. I was minding my own business, but now too many strange things have been happening, and I think you’re behind it all.

“Then I find out you married Halayna. You asshole! You married the only woman I’ve ever loved!”

“Bullshit!” Sloan spat out, his chest heaving with pent up anger. “I wonder what she’ll say when she finds out you were messing around on her. That you were cheating on her with not one but two women! Is that where all her money went, Owen? You stole her life savings so you could pay for—”

“I have to say, Sloane. Money looks good on Halayna. She’s even more beautiful than I remember, and I’m sure the photos I’ve seen of her aren’t doing her justice.

“Hmm… I wonder if she’s still as gullible as she used to be. Apparently so if she’s with you. Maybe I should pay her a visit for old times’ sake. Remind her of what she’s been missing.”

Sloane growled under his breath as his temper flared. “Come near my wife, and you’re a dead man,” he ground out as he vibrated with anger.

He was squeezing his phone so hard, it was amazing it didn’t crumble in his hand. He hated stooping to this man’s level, but the guy knew how to push his buttons.

When the silence stretched through the phone line, Sloane glanced at the screen and realized Owen had disconnected the call.

A roar almost slipped through his lips, but he caught himself in time to see Oscar returning with a large paper bag.

“You, okay?” the chef whispered as he set the bag on the table and gathered up more of the dirty dishes.

Sloane released a slow steadying breath. “Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks for everything, man. You outdid yourself with the meal and the ambiance.” They shared a grin as Sloane pounded him on the shoulder. Though he had already paid for the evening, he shoved a wad of cash in the chef’s apron pocket. “For you and the band. We’re going to head out shortly.”

“Thank you, and I hope to see you soon. Take care.”

Sloane turned to Hershel. He was hoping for some good news, but he didn’t have a chance to question him when Halayna hurried into the room frowning. Hershel was right behind her.