Page 30 of It Was Always You

“You good?” he asks as he tosses me my water bottle. His worry for my sanity doubles every day we do this.

It’s been far too long and we’re no closer to having her back than when we started and all I can think about is how this is my fault.

I wasted so many fucking years, and just as I had her, I lost her.

Despite chasing every lead and texting Logan to the point of harassment all, it’s got me is three broken phones and a busted computer with not even a breadcrumb of information to show for it.

“Yeah, gonna go head up and get to work. Same time tomorrow?” I ask, not really expecting much of an answer so when he just nods, I tip my head in acknowledgement before grabbing up stuff and heading for the lobby.

Other than having sparring matches with Matt, the only human interaction I’ve been able to tolerate is Abigail’s. Mostly because she comes in like a hurricane refusing to take no for an answer and determined to make sure I’m eating and showering. Meanwhile, Jonathan has banned everyone from coming up to the penthouse unless he summons them. Not that he’s even been there much. He constantly runs between different meetings with mafia heads daily to try and get answers from someone, not caring that at this point no one has anything new to share with him.

“Excuse me, Mr Jameson but I was just about to ring up. There’s an urgent parcel here for you.” The doorman stops me as I’m passing him. Strange since I haven’t ordered anything, but either way, I thank him and take the box.

When I open the non-descriptive box, I freeze. A severed human finger with a painted black fingernail. Cora’s signature colour.

With a letter tapped to the lid of the box that says: You’ll get her back piece by piece or not at all. And it’s all your fault, Johnny boy. You should never have touched what wasn’t yours to touch.

Rage consumes me. I storm up to Jonathan’s office, slamming the box down in front of him. “What the fuck did you do?” I demand, unable to contain my fury.

Shock, denial and furry flash over his face as he looks in the box before demanding, “Where the hell did this come from?”

“The front desk rang me. Addressed to me yet clearly meant for you.”

“Why send it to you?”

“Because I’m in love with your daughter, goddamnit, and they probably worked that out.”

He growls, “I thought I told you to stay away from her?”

“You did. But here’s the thing. I’ve been in love with her long before you claimed her as your daughter. The only reason I never made a move was I didn’t want to put her in harm’s way, but looks like you already did that. So now I’ll save her and I’ll love her and I won’t let you or anyone stop me.”

At first, his features darken, and his fist clenches in a fist at his side. His gaze remains focused on me as he pins me under the full weight of his glare, a muscle ticking in his cheek as he growls, “I thought I warned you to stay the fuck away from her.”

“You did. But that’s the thing – my feelings for her far outweigh anything else. You can punish me all you want. You can kick me out. Exile me. Make me public enemy number one. Nothing you can do will make me leave her.”

With a slow, reluctant nod, he lets the subject drop for now. “I’m going to get Doc to take a look at this. Maybe it’s not hers,” he mummers before shooting off a text just as the intercom buzzes.

Jonathan answers, “Yes?”

“Sorry to disturb you, sir, but there’s a Corey here to see you. He said it’s urgent, should I send him up?”

“Corey? Owen, do you know a Corey?”

“Cora’s ex.”

“Is that so?” He hums, raising his eyebrow. “Send him up.”

“Her ex is down there?” This day just keeps getting weirder and weirder.

“Apparently so.” He buttons his suit jacket before making his way into the living room with me on his heels as we wait to see just what is going on.

“I heard you were looking for me?” Jonathan says upon meeting Corey. I just stand beside him, cross my arms and raise my eyebrows.

“Um, yeah…I don’t know if I should be here.” He fidgets and looks ready to bolt if given the chance.

“Spit it out, we don’t have all day,” I bark, and his eyes widen when he clocks me and the colour drains from his already pale face.

“Oh shit…Owen, listen about me cheating on Cora—”

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