Reclaiming Her Heart

Selena suddenly got this weird vibe from the jellyfish stamp in her bag. It felt kinda dangerous.

How the heck did Barbara get mixed up with a crew like that?

And why did Barbara say it might be useful if she needed help?

No way Barbara was using those cold-blooded dudes to off people, right?

That just wasn't Barbara's style.

Selena started feeling all jittery and heard Richard spill more details.

"This group's been around forever, super secretive. They're called Blood Killers. Basically, they're hitmen. If you got the cash, they'll take out anyone. Like, twenty-something years ago, someone probably hired them to wipe out that rich family." Selena gulped, a shiver running down her spine.

"Mr. Smith, aren't you scared someone might pay them to take you out one day?"

Richard chuckled, all chill. "BK's folks only care about the money. If I pay more than the other guy, they'll flip and take out the employer instead. So anyone thinking of hiring BK has to wonder if I'm willing to outbid them to save my own skin. If I am, then they're toast."

"But didn't you say they took out the world's richest family twenty-something years ago? If they were that loaded, they should've been able to pay up, right?" Selena asked.

"The head of that family had like forty mistresses. His fortune was all split up, and he didn't have much left. The rest of the family didn't wanna pool their money, so yeah, they got whacked." Richard took a sip of his drink, looking totally unfazed. "Rich folks don't have strong family ties. The one who hired the killers was probably one of his sons."

Selena stayed quiet. She was getting more and more freaked out by the jellyfish stamp.

If she kept it, she'd be hunted.

But if she handed it over, someone else might get killed.

Seeing her worried face, Richard reached out and pinched her cheek. "If you're in a jam, just tell me."

His eyes were kinda soft, and he smiled at Selena.

When Raymond barged in, this was the scene he walked into.

Richard and Selena alone in a private room, with Richard pinching her cheek and looking at her all sweet. Raymond was fuming. "Penny!"

He stormed over.

But Selena was seriously annoyed right then. Hearing his voice, she frowned.

Raymond grabbed her arm and yanked her up. "Have you no shame?"

'Is she really done with me and looking for a new guy?' Raymond thought. He couldn't believe it! He was Raymond, how could he be the first to get dumped? Hearing his words, Selena's face turned dark.

Raymond glared at Richard, noticing Richard's smug smile, like he was mocking him.

He got even madder and tried to drag Selena away.

But Selena shook him off. "Mr. Montague, I didn't invite you tonight."

Alex and Paul were standing at the door, worried something might go down, so they came to check. Raymond stared at Selena, stunned. They'd just been through hell together, and last night was amazing. It had only been a day, and she was already this cold.

Selena didn't look at him. Just thinking about all the mysteries she was dealing with made her feel on edge. Plus, Mia had started hating her. If she kept messing with Raymond, the hate would only get worse. Raymond looked at her coldly, suddenly finding it funny. He even wondered if Selena had been using him. He walked over to her cautiously and asked in a careful tone, "Do you like me?"

Selena slapped his hand away. "Sorry, Mr. Montague, I thought we were always clear about our relationship."

The light in Raymond's eyes went out, turning as deep as the ocean.

He laughed. "So, everything with me was just you playing around, huh, Penny?"

"If that's how you wanna see it, I can't change your mind," Selena said.