Page 50 of Broken Halo
And he’s gone.
I clutch Faye’s pendant in my fist until its points dig into my skin, pinching and piercing. I need that—the pain—as a reminder.
And I’ve got to get Trig out of my head. I have enough to deal with right now. I don’t need him playing with my emotions. He can’t hate me and then give me hints of who he once was.
My heart can’t take it.
* * *
Trig
“You’re sure he’s heading here?”
“Positive.” Charlie sounds like he’s in a tin can so he must be at the prison. “I’ve got a friend who works at the county jail and is friends with his parole officer. Ray Barrett got a transfer to the DFW area. Claimed he has family there, a place to live, and a job lined up.”
“Fuck,” I hiss as I turn off my Merc and open the door.
“Yeah, fuck,” Charlie chirps, like it’s no skin off his back, which it isn’t, but I don’t need his commentary. “Your dad’s on the straight and narrow. Far as I can tell, he’s doin’ it all by the book.”
I’m done with Charlie’s services. My father heading back here isn’t good and I need someone local. One more thing for me to add to my list for Pettit. I’m not going to tell Charlie yet because I don’t need him selling me out. “Keep checking with your sources. I want to know if his plans change.”
“Righty-ho, boss.”
Fuck me, I’ll be glad when he’s officially off my payroll.
I slam my door shut and beep the locks where I parked next to Ellie’s Lexus.
It was fucking hard to leave her last night after I slipped my mother’s necklace around her neck. Watching her silent tears was a feat I’m surprised I managed. I went straight home and hit the gym to work that shit out of my system. I needed to get away from Ellie as fast as possible so I didn’t push her too far too soon.
Guilt, anger, and lust.
It’s a heady concoction, and right now, I need to be careful around her.
Sure, I could’ve pulled her into my arms, kissed her tears away, and let it go from there.
But I’d bet my bourbon collection that after that moment was over, she’d regret it and be back to telling me to fuck off and giving me time limits that were shorter than ever.
She once made me believe I was a regret. That will never happen again. When it finally happens, she’ll only want more. I’ll make sure of it.
Until then, I’ve got my work cut out for me.
I’ve had a long day, it’s late, and I’m late. I punch the code into the main entrance of Ellie’s building that Pettit gave me—the code that means everything to Ellie and me—and the door unlocks on cue. I swing it open to find Ellie on her way out.
Her eyes get big when she sees me. She goes from surprised to irritated—my petite little Jekyll and Hyde, transforming right in front of my eyes.
“What are you doing here?” she snaps, all her softness from last night gone.
I rock back on my heels and cross my arms. “Missed you, too, angel.”
Her eyes narrow and she jerks her leather bag over her shoulder violently. “Stop calling me that.”
My eyes drop to her body, today encased in skin-tight workout pants and a pink sports bra that I can see every detail of because the white T-shirt she’s wearing is see through. My mother’s necklace sits at the dip of her neck. Her clothes are covered in dust, her hair couldn’t be messier, and she’s wearing no makeup. All this put together, she couldn’t look more comfortable in her own skin and is fucking beautiful at the same time.
“What do you want me to call you? I’m up for suggestions.”
“Don’t call me anything,” she insists. “Don’t call me at all. Don’t come to my house and don’t come here.”
“Aren’t you the narcissistic one? I’m not here to see you.”
