Read Online Michaels, Skye - Mikaela's Debut [The Black Dahlia Hotel 1] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) by Skye Michaels - Free Book Online

had just been a bad joke, right? Mikaela hadn’t even remembered it the next day. She sat there staring into space. If she had five million dollars in an off-shore account, her life would definitely change. She could quit her crappy job. She could get out of this crappy apartment and say good-bye to the roaches she couldn’t seem to get under control. It was probably true. If there was a nuclear attack on New York City, the only survivors would be the roaches.
    Her hand hovered over the send button as she reviewed the text she had composed on the untraceable phone. If you don’t want 2nd video on YouTube deposit $5m in account number 155867779-0, 127509378721 @ Bank of Switzerland. If $ is not in acct by close of biz Thursday Dec. 31 video will post . Should she do it? Could she do it?

Chapter Six
     
    On the dining terrace at The Black Dahlia Hotel, Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida, Tuesday morning, December 29, 2015
     
    Dillon and Mikaela were relaxing at the table after enjoying a huge breakfast on the dining terrace. They were planning to spend the morning at the pool getting some sun. This little hotel really was a jewel. He had to talk to Jamie about getting in on the action. Mikaela was just about to reach for the coffee carafe to top off their cups when her phone signaled an incoming text. They both jumped. She looked at him, and her eyes were as wide as saucers.
    “Do you want me to get it, babe?”
    “Yes. No. Yes. I don’t know.” The text signal continued to chime. Finally, she handed him the phone. He pressed the text icon and the message popped up.
    “Son of a bitch. I’m forwarding this to Morgan Court and Jamie.” He quickly accomplished the task.
    “Dil, what does it say?” He hesitated. He didn’t want to share this with her, but he had no choice.
    “That they will post the second video to YouTube if you don’t deposit five million dollars to an account number at the Bank of Switzerland by close of business on Thursday, December 31.” He swore. “Are they crazy? Five fucking million dollars? They have to be nuts.”
    “Dillon, I can do that if I make the arrangements right now. But the question is should I do it? If I give in and pay will the demands stop, or will they just keep coming back for more? Maybe I should tough it out and tell them to go ahead and post it.”
    “I don’t know, Mikaela. It’s a hard call. That is a shitload of money to pay out to a blackmailer with no guarantee that it will solve the problem. Let’s go down to the office and talk to Jamie and Dane.”
    “I’m sick to my stomach, Dillon. You go and talk to them. I’m going up to the suite for a couple of minutes.”
    “Okay, baby. Try and calm down. I wish I could take my own good advice.”
     
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    Mikaela’s hands were shaking as she punched the elevator button for their floor. Shit. This is it. Fish or cut bait . Should she cut and run? Should she stand and fight? What effect would her decision have on Dillon either way? She could weather a little scandal, but his election campaign might not be able to. And then there was Joe Cavanaugh. If she let this affect Dillon he would never forgive her—and never was a fucking long time over Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for the rest of her life.
    If they had a little more time, the Court Industries security guys might be able to do something. She knew Dillon had sent the text on to them. She opened the door to the suite and walked in. She sat down by the window and began to compose a text of her own. I don’t know who you are, but you obviously hate me. This is personal. I can feel it. I need more time to get $5m together. All funds are tied up in trusts. I need at least a week. If you post video w/o giving me the opportunity to get the money together we both lose . Should she send it? Would it help? It might give Court’s people time to find the blackmailer, and it might give her time to make her getaway. She hit Send .
     
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