Page 75

ABI
Oliver, the man who forced me into Colter’s car long ago gestures toward a brown leather couch in the room he brought Zeke and me to. Two walls are lined with books, and a desk sits off to one side, with the couch in front. There’s no computer on the desk, just a neat stack of envelopes and three pens.
How many offices does Colter need in his house?
“Mr. Gruco asked that you wait here.”
“Where is he?” I ask, trying to keep the contempt from my voice. Zeke holds my hand and looks around cautiously, his usual excitement missing. He knows something is wrong, and I regret not letting him go to Charlie’s house like I promised. Colter insisted I bring Zeke but refused to tell me why, and now won’t even text me back.
I like him. I do. But he’s messing with my life and all my insecurities, and now he’s messing with my son too.
Oliver takes too long to respond, and my mouth falls open.
“He’s not even here?”
“Ms. Prior—”
“Don’t,” I grit, holding up a hand.
I turn and give Zeke’s hand a gentle tug to signal that it’s time to leave.
I can’t believe I fell for this. Can’t believe I fell into the same trap as before.
He’s not different.
He’s a version of the same damn thing. Putting measures into place to keep me rooted to him. Making me owe him for shit like rent, buying me ill-fitting flowers to make me swoon over the gesture.
I thought I made it clear to him, but I guess not. Iwasthat girl. Past tense. Way past tense. That isn’t who I am anymore, and it sure as hell isn’t going to work again.
“Ms. Prior,” Oliver says, urgently following behind us.
“Please give Mr. Gruco my regards, I’m afraid it’s time for Zeke and I to go. He’ll still be able to reach me at my number, and we can continue our arrangement long distance.”
“Ms. Prior, it’s imperative that you stay.”
I ignore Oliver and tug Zeke along with me through the house. Oliver is unrelenting, and when the front door comes into my view, he steps around us to block the exit.
“Please,” he says, his eyes genuine. “Mr. Gruco will be here soon.”
“He told me to get here,as soon as I could. I would expect him to do the same. Now, excuse me.”
I go to move around Oliver, but he steps to the side to block me again.
Anger crawls up my throat in the form of a growl, and I have to consciously keep myself from squeezing Zeke’s hand too tightly. It’s taking all my restraint not to explode right now, for Zeke’s sake, and I’m close to losing it.
I glance down at Zeke, and his worried expression sobers me some. I need to get him out of here.Farout of here.
“Did Colter order you to detain us, Oliver?”
His brow furrows.
“Did he?”
He shakes his head.
Part of me is surprised Colter didn’t actually ask him to do that, but it doesn’t show on my face. I look Oliver in the eyes, as seriously as I can.
“Then get out of my way before I call the police.”