Page 80 of Crossed

He ignores me, his attention on the cell in his hand, the same way it always is. I wonder if its work or Florence stealing his attention.

“I have a stylist coming to measure you and replace your wardrobe,” he notes without glancing up.

“Okay.”

He makes a face at his screen and then slips it back in his pocket, the heels of his polished black dress shoes tapping on the wood floor as he walks toward me. He tips up my chin and I wait to feelsomething. A spark or a flash or something that gives me hope that maybe this marriage won’t be as bad as it seems.

But there’s nothing. Nothing except for self- loathing at marrying the man who took my virginity by force and fear for what I know he can do. No matter how grateful I’m trying to be that he’s here now and helping me out of a shitty situation. “You’re mine now, sweet girl. You need to look the part.” I bite my tongue instead of replying the way I want to.

He moves past me. “I have a meeting, so make yourself comfortable here and then use the town car the rest of the day.”

I agree because honestly, I enjoy the town car. It’s nice not having to take the bus and even better to have dependable transportation to get Quinten from school and then to therapy and back.

“Hey, Parker?”

He pauses and looks at me.

“Are there any updates? You know…about the case?” I really don’t want to ask. It’s been kind of nice pretending that it doesn’t exist, but avoidance only works for so long until the intrusive thoughts eat away at the middle of my chest.Notknowing what’s going on is liable to drive me insane.

His lips thin. “Jason’s handling things like I already told you.

If you haven’t heard, then you’re still in the clear.”

My chest loosens a tiny bit, and I blow out a relieved breath.

His eyes soften and he moves back toward me, leaning down and pressing his chapped lips to mine. “Sweet girl, I’ve got you.

No one’s going to do anything as long as you have me.” My stomach rolls but I push back the disgust.

“You’re just a person of interest. They probably dragged in a dozen other people along with you.” He brushes the hair from my face, and I nod, choosing to believe him.

Three hours later and I’ve picked Quinten up from school and have him to his therapy, his peals of laughter floating through the door while I sit in the waiting room, my thumb spinning the diamond ring around my finger.

It hasn’t been that long since my world went topsy- turvy, but when I think of where I was a few weeks ago, it seems like a different life.

“Amaya, hi.”

I twist in my seat, coming face-to- face with Abby, the director of Quinten’s therapy.

“Hey, Abby.” I smile.

“Have you had a chance to call and talk to your insurance?”

Her words make my stomach dip, out of habit mostly. There shouldn’t be any issue now, but I feel like a piece of shit for not even thinking about taking care of it until right this second when I’m reminded.

Parker will handle it if I ask.I think.It’s habit to throw myself into a tailspin whenever things like this come up, and it will take some time to get used to it being any other way.

“I haven’t,” I say.

Abby frowns.

“But,” I rush out. “Anything the insurance won’t cover, I’ll just pay out of pocket.”

I’m not sure if that’s actually the case, but it will get her off my back until I can get Parker in here to help smooth things out. Either he’ll pay, or maybe when we’re married, I’ll get put on his insurance, which would allow a whole new world to open up for Quinten therapy- wise.

I spin the ring on my finger again. “I’m going through some life changes.”

Abby glances down to the diamond, her eyes widening before she smiles up at me. “Wow! Congratulations.”