Chapter 5: The Villain

It had been a tiring day for Sarah. Now she knew something about Mark’s disappearance, but that did not improve her mood. She was tired both physically and mentally. Her body just collapsed on her, and she slept on the couch.

The doorbell ringing woke her up. It was late evening time. She wondered who it would be.

She stretched to grab the door and looked through the peephole. She felt her anger rise when she saw James with his smug face.

Sarah breathed deeply. Now was not the time to fight with this snake. She could not give away any clues as to what Mark was up to. She pushed open the door but stood firm to block his entry.

He smiled warmly. “Sarah, I heard about Mark. I am so sorry,” he said.

“Thanks, James,” she maintained a flat and neutral tone.

He attempted to touch her, but she stepped back.

James suppressed his anger at her silent rejection. “I understand that it’s a hard time for you, Sarah. “I am here for you,” he smiled sympathetically. “Whatever you require, just let me know. I won’t mind keeping you company in this hard time.”

Sarah’s jaw set at the brashness of this man. She felt like he was mocking her. He was the one responsible for messing up her life.

“I appreciate your concern, James. I think I’ll be okay,” she said icily. “It’s late. If there’s nothing else to discuss...” She gestured him towards the street.

James was not about to back down so soon. “Come on, Sarah. Don’t act like that,” he attempted to continue. “I understand that things were messed up between us. I regret my mistakes, but we can’t undo the past. I genuinely want to help you.”

Sarah sensed the anger rising within her. He was trying to manipulate her again. How many times has she let him get away with this bullshit? Not today. She was sick of being a pawn in his games.

“You don’t get to start over, James. Nobody does.” She snapped. “You played with my emotions. You violated my trust. Any goodwill I had for you is long gone.”

James flinched at the cruel words but steadied himself. He stepped closer and spoke in slow, deep, seductive purr.

“Sarah, darlin’. You know, it was never just about sex for us. We had something special. A bond both of us could not deny.” His hand moved toward her cheek. She slapped his hand away.

“Don’t touch me,” she shouted. “You bastard. Do you still have the nerve to say that after selling me out? After blackmailing me into doing your bidding? You don’t deserve to be anywhere near me.”

James let out a heavy sigh. He was like a man on the verge of losing control.

“Fine, Sarah,” he snapped. “Have it your way,” he snarled through a bitter grin.

He backed off from the doorway. “I’m going to give you some time to mourn. But listen carefully. We’re not done yet. Not by a long way.”

With those menacing words, he disappeared into the darkness.

Sarah stood there, trying to keep her anger in check.

She shut the door after him and locked it. James would not give up easily—never did when he desired something. She was not afraid of him anymore. Whatever he does, she would not fall for his trickery again.

If James wanted a fight, he would have one that would last him an eternity.

Jinx was at his hiding spot as James drove up to Sarah’s house. This creep had some nerve trying to take advantage of her vulnerable state. He knew too well what a sleazy character James was.

The way James looked at Sarah with those lecherous eyes, the way he tried to touch her ... made Jinx want to punch him right in his snotty face. But Jinx had to be smart about it. He couldn’t just barge in there and create a scene. There was no way he could stand against James in a head-on fight.

He heard raised voices coming from the house. James was trying his smooth-talking bullshit, and Sarah responded with furious rejection. Boss was right; she was much stronger than he had thought. This was perfect. It would give him plenty of time to work.

James was distracted by Sarah at the front door. Jinx stayed in the shadows and crept to where James had parked his sleek black sedan. He tried the door handles; they were locked, of course. It was not a problem for Jinx, though. He pried open the lock with a few quick jabs of a slim-jim and slid inside.

“Now let’s see what secrets this bastard is hiding,” Jinx whispered as he popped open the glove compartment and console. He found nothing but some gum wrappers and old receipts. He collected the receipts anyway. He found nothing of value on the front seats, but there was a jackpot on the backseat: a laptop bag.