Page 134 of The Renter

I smile, reflecting on how much Harris Ventures has grown, and follow him back into the dining room. Lily takes her place at the head of the table, and the large group fills in around her.

“Aw,” Dani says, seeing Lily’s smile. “Eric, I’ll take photos. Enjoy the moment.”

114

Sliding my phone out of my pocket, I see a text notification from Declan on my home screen. My heart races, and I ignore it, turning my attention to taking pictures of Lily as everyone sings her “Happy Birthday.” I haven’t thought about him in weeks.Why is he texting me?

Adam isn’t singing. He’s glaring at me.Fuck.He saw that notification too. Focused on my task, I snap more pictures as Lily blows out her candles. As everyone claps, Adam pulls me by the hand into the kitchen.

“Show me that text.”

I shouldn’t feel guilty. It’s not like I’ve been texting Declan. I haven’t spoken to him since he declined my booty call.

“Okay,” I sass, unlocking my phone.I’m going to fucking die.I could die of a heart attack right here, right now. I might actually die of a heart attack. Not from the benign text Declan sent, but at the text before it. “Come over.” I never deleted it.Fuck. Me.

I put my phone in my back pocket, trying not to show any reaction on my face. “It said ‘nice driving.’ He must have seen us on the highway.”

Adam’s jaw clenches. “Show me your fucking phone,” he whispers angrily. I almost say something until Adam says, “I know when you’re lying to me.”

“Let’s table this until we’re not at Lily’s birthday party.” My heart is nearly beating out of my chest. “I’ll show you my phone when we get back.” Adam firmly grabs my arm, pulling me closer, then takes my phone out of my back pocket. “Don’t,” I warn.

“Passcode,” he seethes.

“Not here.”

“I’m breaking up with you right now if you don’t give me your passcode,” he says with so much seriousness in his voice.

You’re probably going to break up with me after you see what’s there.“Later. Not here.”

Adam squeezes my biceps firmly, tugging me forward. “Ow!” My mind flashes back to Sorin.

“Passcode!”

“Zero. Nine. Zero. One,” I say, nearly winded at how fast my heart is beating and all that’s happening right now.

“Your birthday,” he mutters under his breath, letting go of my arm. I rub it.That grip was too tight.

“Come over,” he reads, and I want to die. “Are you fucking kidding me?” he shouts.

He promised he wouldn’t scream like that again.“Shh! We’re at a kids’ party. Calm down!”

“Don’t tell me to calm down!” he says, raising his arm with my phone in his hand, and I get the sudden fear that he is going to hit me in the head with it. My mind replays Sorin throwing his phone at me after he received a photo of Declan and me at Kent’s party. Then it flashes to Sorin slamming the butt of the knife into my temple after he cut me.

“Are you fucking cheating on me?” Adam yells too loudly.

“I’m not cheating on you!” I whisper-yell, swatting his arm down. “It was impulsive. I was so mad at you. I just wanted someone to love me. But no one wanted me … he said no.”

“What if he said yes?”

I don’t know how to respond. It would have happened if he said yes … but … Adam throws my phone, and I flinch. The phone hits the exposed glassware on the wall behind me, causing the sound of glass breaking to fill the room.

Stunned, I have no words. This violent outburst fills me with dread. It’s my worst nightmare about him.

I knew this would happen, but I wanted so badly to believe it wouldn’t. Declan’s fucking warnings, Greg’s warning …

Rage quickly turns to regret in his face as I walk backward, away from him, wiping the tears that are already falling from my face.

“Dani,” he follows. “I’m sorry.”