Page 42 of Ever After

Allie won’t stop hugging me, and I don’t have the heart to tell her to give me some space. It’s not that I’m not excited to be free and to see her; it’s just a lot to handle right now. I went through my notes on the computer and found all the information I could on Chris. I gave it to Winston, who called Amelia to fill her in. She said she would have something within an hour and would call Grayson.

“I’ve been so worried these past two weeks. Thank God, you’re not hurt. How are you holding up? Can I get you anything?” She takes my hands between hers and gives them a gentle squeeze.

She rambles when she’s nervous.“Allie, stop. Thanks for coming over with your computer. I’m glad I can give them some information that will hopefully help lock him up.”

“Are you sure there is nothing else I can do for you?”

I smile and shake my head. “Allie, you’ve done so much already. Thank you so much for coming over. I think I just need to rest now. Grayson should be calling to check in soon, and I don’t want to miss it.”

Her eyes light up, and she winks. “You don’t have to tell me twice. I’ll leave you alone. I’m so happy you’re safe, dear. You know, I think of you as a daughter.”

She pulls me in for one more hug as we say our goodbyes, and then she gets up and lets herself out. I stand from the chair and walk back upstairs toward my room.

“Hey, Finley?” Winston calls from down the hall.

“Yeah?” I ask, walking into the doorway of the room he’s occupying.

He leans back in his seat and crosses his arms over his large chest. “Shaw called back. She said Chris Genova’s dead.”

I perk up. “Really, just from last night?”I can’t believe it.

He shakes his head. “No, according to his death certificate, he’s been dead for the past three years.”

My whole body goes rigid, and I wrap my arms around myself. “No, that’s not possible. The man I was with, it’s Chris, for sure.”

He runs his hands down his face. “According to public records, it’s not him.”

“Does Grayson know yet?”

“No, I’ve been trying to call him, but he won’t answer his damn phone. If I head to the hotel he’s staying at to check on him, would you be okay on your own?”

I nod.

“I’m talking about not opening the door for anyone, not even if it’s me. I want you to stay in your room, away from windows and everything.”

“You make it seem like you’re harboring a fugitive, Winston. Is it possible anyone besides Grayson and now Allie know we’re here?”

“No, this place is pretty secluded. Grayson will have my ass if he knows I left you alone.”

“Go. I’ll be fine, and I won’t answer the door for anyone. I’m actually pretty tired. I’m going to take a nap.”

He nods. “I’ll be back soon. No one has the house number, so if I need you, I’ll call that number. Make sure you answer it.” He hands me a phone so I can take it into my room.

I agree and walk back into the bedroom, locking the door behind me. I crawl into bed and close my eyes. If I’m safe, then why do I have a bad feeling about this?

Chapter Twenty-Two

Grayson

I need to get her out of Chicago. That’s the only way she’ll be safe. I pace back and forth in my hotel room, trying to find a solution, when someone pounds on the door. I look through the peephole and see Winston standing there. Opening the door, I pull him inside, locking it behind both of us.

“Why the fuck aren’t you withFinley?” I seethe. I stare daggers at him, trying to intimidate him. He’s known me for too many years, though, and my glare does shit for him.

“I’ve been trying to call you with information, and you’re not answering your damn phone. I thought something might have happened to you.”

I pull my phone from my pocket and see six missed calls from him and Shaw. I run my fingers through my blond locks and look back up at him. “Sorry, I had company here. I couldn’t answer it.”

“We’ve got a problem. The man you’re dealing with is a ghost. According to public records, Chris Genova died three years ago.”