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“Courtney! You almost killed me.”

“I-I’m sorry.” She sucks in a deep breath, relieved to see me.

“I called your name several times. I was starting to get worried.” I rub my hands up and down her arms that are prickled with goosebumps and take the lamp from her hand.

“I didn’t hear you,” she says truthfully, searching my face, then continues, “I woke up in a panic and it all replayed in my mind again. You weren’t here. The room was bare. The silence was eating me alive. I went into fight or flight mode…”

“Sweetheart, I’m so sorry. I just left to get us some food. I was sure you’d stay asleep.”

“I went to use the bathroom and when I turned the lights on, it flickered and made a loud noise.”

“The bulb burnt out,” I explain, realizing the same when I tried to turn on the lights when I was looking for her.

“Then just as I was done using the bathroom, a loud knock came from the door and I panicked. It all came rushing back, and I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t catch my breath and when a second knock came, I grabbed the lamp and went into the closet and hid. Every bad scenario played out within seconds. I figured if it were you, you’d call my name out or call me on my cell. And if whoever was on the other side of the door got inside and opened the closet, they were going to get killed by that lamp.”

I smile, but I’m still concerned. “So, you didn’t answer the door?”

“No! The last time I did that, Mia ordered a special delivery in the form of a breakfast and threats.”

I shake my head, unsure of what she’s talking about. “Let’s get you out of here and we can talk. Tell me what all happened.”

She runs her fingers through her hair and nods. “Okay.”

Helping her to the bed, I grab our bag of food and hand her one. “There weren’t a ton of great options, so I ordered us sandwiches.”

“That’s fine. I don’t have a big appetite right now anyway.” She plays with the lid, but doesn’t flip it open.

“Something wrong?” I ask, pinching my brows together.

Her throat moves, swallowing down her words as she shakes her head.

“Courtney,” I mutter, tilting her chin toward me. She looks up at me. “Tell me what happened when you woke up this morning. I need to know.”

She blinks, lowering her eyes to the floor. “There was a knock on the door of the hotel room and when I opened it, a guy from room service was standing there with a tray of food. He said it had been scheduled to be delivered to that room. Once he left, I opened the lid of the platter and saw it. She somehow planned the whole thing out.”

“What was inside?” I ask, urging her to continue although I know it’s hard for her. I need to know everything.

“Two eggs and a piece of bacon formed a frowning face. Then drops of red hot sauce were under the eggs as if the eyes were crying out blood.”

“Jesus,” I mutter, roughly brushing a hand through my hair.

“There was a note, too.”

My jaw tightens once she tells me what it said.

“Fuck,” I hiss. “She’s lost her fucking mind.”

“You’re just now realizing that?” The bitterness in her tone doesn’t go unnoticed.

“Yeah, well. She’s never pulled a stunt like this before. I didn’t realize how far she’d go to get me back.”

“She’s doing everything she can to break us apart,” Courtney states, her words sad and low.

“Sweetheart, that’ll never ever fucking happen. I promise you that.” I cup her cheeks and pull her mouth to mine. “I love you.”

She smiles against my lips. “I love you, too.” She gives me another kiss. “I just want to push her down a set of spiraling stairs that all have loose nails in the boards.”

I chuckle, shaking my head at her. “I wouldn’t put it past you, babe. You aren’t one to take anyone’s shit.”

“Yeah and that bitch is such a coward she starts messing with me only when I’m unconscious. Can’t even play the game when I can actually fight back,” she hisses, and I know she’s getting worked up again. “But just knowing she’s capable of this kind of shit freaks me the hell out.”

“I know, but no matter what she tries, she’ll never get what she truly wants in the end.”

“Wait,” she pauses. “How’d you know Mia was here?”

“Huh?” My jaw flexes. I forgot I hadn’t mentioned it to her yet.

“In the hallway of the hotel room, you said you knew she was here. I hadn’t even known she was until after the tray of food arrived. So, how did you know?” I can see she’s trying to put it all together in her head and I hate that I have to add to it. Especially that part.