Scottie shook her head, her smile becoming forced in the process. “Everybody said I was a shoo-in, but I, um…” She paused, pulling her bottom lip nervously between her teeth. “I ended up dropping out before the end of the season.”
Before he could ask why—because the question was already forming in his curious gaze—she quickly shared the bare bones of what happened…
She’d been the victim of a violent stalker. The sick bastard broke into her hotel room and put a gun to her head. He shot her bodyguard, got shot himself, and thankfully ended up getting arrested.
By the time Scottie was finished with the summarized version of the terrifying events, Chase’s expression had turned as hard as stone.
“Here you are…” The young woman approached the table with a steaming plate of delectable-looking food held securely in each hand.
Chase waited patiently, resuming the conversation the minute their server was gone.
“Where is he now?” A muscle in his strong jaw twitched with the grinding of his teeth.
“Locked up in a state-run institution for the criminally insane.” She picked up her fork with the pretense of eating a meal she no longer found appetizing. “The judge gave him two options. Spend the next twenty-five years in a psychiatric hospital…or prison.” Her throat worked to push down the painful memories. “He chose the hospital, and I chose to get as far away from the spotlight as possible.”
And now he knew everything.
Chase sat there, ignoring his food and staring past her with a look so deadly he was almost unrecognizable. The lengthy moment of silence took Scottie’s anxiety level to a near-boiling point.
Just when she thought he’d gone totally catatonic, her dinner date brought a hand to his face, rubbing the dark scruff covering his jaw.
“Jesus, Scottie.” Regret he had no reason feeling warred with the anger in his sapphire stare. “I’m so sorry you went through that. I…I had no idea.”
“Of course, you didn’t.” She rightfully dismissed his remorse. “No one did. That’s how the network wanted it. The network…the guy’sfamily…” A wealthy family intent on keeping the shame of what he’d done a secret. “And frankly, after that night, that’s exactly how I wanted it, too.”
What she’d really wanted was to disappear. Find a new city. New state. New life.
Her dreams of being rich and famous had been shattered by the reality of how vulnerable she’d been as someone exposed to the public eye. It was a lesson she’d learned hard and fast, but one Scottie knew she’d never ever forget.
No amount of money and fame was worth risking one’s physical safety. Not to her, anyway.
So, she’d picked a new city. She’d chosen a new state. And now, months later, Scottie was finally settling into a life where she could cultivate her passion in a safe and welcoming environment. One where she could give back by helping those far less fortunate than her.
“It’s no wonder you’re hiding out at the shelter.”
Chase’s unexpected comment left Scottie recoiling in surprise. “Who says I’m hiding out?” Her defensive tone was unmistakable.
“It may have been a few years since we’ve seen each other, but I know you, sugar. Becoming a famous chef was always your dream.”
There went that sweet as hell nickname again. She really needed to put a stop to that. But first?—
“Most dreams don’t come true, Chase,” she candidly reminded him. “You should know that as well as anyone. And contrary to what you might think, I’m not hiding out.” Shewasn’t. “In the beginning, sure. But not now.”
Not anymore.
“Easy, sweetheart. That wasn’t a dig, and it sure as hell wasn’t meant as an insult. All I meant was that it made sense, you packin’ up and getting away from it all.”
A wave of guilt nearly knocked her out of her seat.
“You’re right,” Scottie offered softly. “I’m sorry. I guess I’m still trying to convince myself that I’m no longer scared of a man who can’t hurt me.”
“You don’t ever have to apologize for defending yourself, Scottie,” he rumbled low. “Not to me. As for the other, you’re right. He can’t hurt you. And now that you’re here, I’ll make damn sure no one else hurts you, either.”
Their eyes locked, and she couldn’t have torn her gaze from his if she’d wanted to. And she really,reallydidn’t want to.
All too soon, Chase broke the magnetic spell with a blink and quick shake of his head. “So the son of a bitch gets arrested and thrown into the state hospital, and you wind up here. I can’t believe the story hasn’t leaked.”
“The network sprang into action right after the attack. Their attorneys worked their big-money magic, doing everything they could to manage the media fall-out. Including paying the handful of guests and hotel staff who’d witnessed the aftermath for the videos and images they’d taken while waiting for authorities to arrive. The network also paid for those same people’s silence.”