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I could never hate––
The air leaves my lungs because I’m at the top of the stairs, and…
I have to clutch the railing.
They’re carpeted.
Tears…so many damn tears stream down my cheeks.
Carefully, I place one foot on the first carpeted step, and the material is so soft and plush it almost feels springy.
I choke out a sob.
He’s so fucking stupid.
I hold the railing the whole way down, and I don’t experience any of the fear I expected to. I don’t relive any of the horrible memories of the last time I came down these same steps. Because they aren’t the same steps. Because King did this. For me.
When I reach the bottom, I feel shaky from exhaustion and emotion, but I stay focused and make my way to the kitchen.
I woke up an hour before Cici usually delivers the first of too many meals, so I thought I would try to beat her, and eat down here.
“Oh my god, Savannah!” Cici rushes around the counter the second she spots me. “You fool, what are you doing?!”
Even though I can feel sweat on my forehead, I smile at her calling me a fool. “Needed a change of scenery.”
I think she says something about me beingjust as dumb as himbut I’m too busy being herded to the living room and deposited on the couch to pay attention.
* * *
Blinking,I see a plate filled with scrambled eggs and fried potatoes on the coffee table in front of me. And next to that, a plate with a sandwich that looks like a BLT. And two different flavors of bottled electrolyte drinks.
“I’d recommend skipping the breakfast,” Ginger’s voice startles me from across the room and I jump.
“Jesus.” She’s just sitting in one of the armchairs, phone in her lap. “Were you watching me sleep?”
She lifts a shoulder. “Basically. King lost his shit when he found you sleeping on the couch.”
That makes me sit up. “King was out here?”
“Yeah, and I happened to be in the kitchen grabbing lunch when he saw you. So I get tosit right the fuck here until she goes to bed.” She deepens her voice on the last part. “So looks like I’m back on Savannah Duty.”
I don’t know how to feel.
Him worrying about me means… Well, it meanssomething. That he cares about me. At least a little. But him not willing to sit out here with me himself…
“Why didn’t he just sit out here?” I can’t stop myself from asking.
Ginger lifts a brow at me. “Because he’s avoiding you.” Her tone saysduhwithout her having to actually say it.
“I don’t understand,” I admit.
Ginger looks toward the kitchen, and I turn too, but no one is there.
“Okay, here’s how it is.” Ginger lowers her voice, so I lean forward to hear her. “Cici told me that we shouldn’t get involved. Because King is the boss and we owe him our loyalty. But the way I see it, you’re our boss too. And women should stick together.” She smirks on that last one. “So, a few things that have happened since, well,the incident.” She widens her eyes when she says it. “I’m assuming you noticed the carpet already.” I nod, pressing my lips together at the memory. “Well, he’s also had the entire property swept for some jammer thing, and then had anti-jammer things installed all around both houses.” At my confused look, she rolls her eyes. “Something about cell phone signals not working. I don’t really know. Jamie wasn’t making a lot of sense when he was telling me. And then…” she snorts, “King hadthoseinstalled all over the house.” She points to the wall, and it takes me a second to find what she’s looking at.
“Is that a wall phone?” The black plastic looks new, mounted to the wall, but the corded style is straight out of the eighties.
“I know, right?” Ginger confirms. “Those are in case the cell phone non-jammer thingys don’t work, so there’s still a way to reach people in the house. There’s one in your bedroom, too.”