Shattered Heart (Z series) by Jerri Drennen Read Free Book Online

Zack too?
    Anger took hold. For the first time in JT’s life, the idea of another man with a woman he’d been with bothered him. No, not bothered . The mere idea filled him with an intense fury he’d never experienced before. Why, he was too afraid to analyze.
     
    * * *
     
    Charlotte toted the grocery bags to the kitchen and placed them on the countertop. Nothing seemed to keep her mind off the one thing she wanted to avoid: JT and their night together. She needed to forget it ever happened, but unfortunately she couldn’t. It was too powerful to push away.
    A knock at the door had her heart skipping a beat. Probably JT and his friend. Was she ready to see him again?
    She trudged to the front of the house, then unlocked and opened the door, surprised to find William standing on her porch.
    She swallowed hard, hoping she didn’t look as terrified as she felt.
    “I need to talk to you.” He charged inside the house before she could stop him.
    Her hand tightened around the knob. She was afraid to close the door.
    “I’m not going to bite, Charlotte.” His eyes focused on her hand.
    Reluctantly she closed the door. Now she wished she hadn’t sent JT away. What if he tried to hurt her? Would she be able to get away?
    “I wanted to apologize for being so harsh with you yesterday. I have no real excuse. I was disappointed that you said no. I guess I’m not used to hearing those words from anyone. I know you miss Shaun. We all do.”
    Charlotte’s gut coiled with anger. How dare he say that to her when he was the reason Shaun wasn’t here.
    “I don’t want to rehash this, William. I’m just not ready to marry you. Even if it’s to save the cafe. It wouldn’t feel right.”
    “I understand that. I came here to offer you another option.”
    Charlotte stared at him, noting the prominent circles under his eyes. Clearly he hadn’t gotten any sleep either.
    “What do you mean?”
    “I want to offer you a partnership in another way.”
    Her eyes narrowed in on his. “What other way is there?”
    “I’ll give you thirty-thousand dollars, and I’ll take thirty-percent ownership of Lettie’s.”
    Charlotte couldn’t believe what he was offering. A loan was one thing, but to take partial ownership was another—especially since it was him. She didn’t want to be linked to William Terran in any way. Not when he very likely killed her husband.
    “I’ll need to think about this.”
    His jaw slacked. “What’s to think about? You’d still have complete control over the day to day running of the cafe. It’s a win, win situation, Charlotte.”
    Yeah, if it was anyone but you .
    “Look, William, I have groceries going bad on the kitchen counter. Let’s talk about this tomorrow. I’m too tired right now to think clearly.” She caught a glimpse of anger in his eyes, but it quickly disappeared. Did he know about JT being in her house last night? Did he assume they shared what they had? Was he upset about that?
    “All right. I have to go out of town for a few days, but when I get back, I’ll expect an answer.”
    Charlotte nodded, only to get him to leave. She didn’t plan to see him again if she could help it. Knowing what he’d done made it too hard. Hopefully JT and his friend could find the proof Shaun had on William so the man would be arrested. Then the next time she’d have to see his face would be in a courtroom.
    She opened the door. “Have a safe trip,” she said, holding back the bile working up her throat. Being cordial made her physically ill. But she wanted him to go without stirring his suspicions.
    Outside, he turned back to her. “I’m offering you a way to save Lettie’s that we could both live with. You need to seriously think about this.”
    “I will.” She closed the door in his face. One more minute in his presence, and she was afraid she’d lose it.
    She bolted and chained the door, then headed back to the kitchen.
    What was the man up to? Why would he want to own a portion of