Page 15 of Beaten

I said as much to Jamie. “I hope I haven’t wasted everyone’s time.”God only knows how much this is costing Chris. He'd be paying Jamie and Jack for a fourteen-hourday. I made a mental note to find out so I could start budgeting to pay him back.

“What do you mean?”

“What if he changed the locks?” I asked.

“He said he didn’t, and even if he did the landlord will have to let you in.” That’s right, I remembered hearing him say that to Craig.My nerves are making me stupid.

“Oh, right, good.” I got out of the car wondering how I was going to get through the rest of the day without having a complete meltdown.

Chris and Jack had already grabbed a bunch of boxes and were waiting for us. Jack said, “Let’s get moving, we have four hours to pack up and get out of dodge.”

“I don’t think it’ll take that long. None of the furniture is mine, so the hardest thing to move will be my books.”

“That’s fine, I wanted to give us extra time so he wouldn’t accidentally come home early and intercept us.” Jamie made air quotes around the word accidentally.

I reached out to unlock the door but Jamie stopped me and held out his hands for the keys. “I’ll go in first and verify he’s not here. Jack and Chris will stay out here with you until I give the all clear.”

“Oh, um, okay.” I really didn’t think Craig would risk getting arrested again, but apparently they weren’t taking any chances.

After Jamie stepped into the apartment, gun drawn, Jack pulled the door as if to close it but didn’t let the latch catch.

“Does he really need a gun?” I asked Jack, though I figured I already knew the answer.

“Better safe than sorry.” Jack looked relaxed as he watched the door, but I had a feeling he could spring into action in a heartbeat if he needed to. He’d set the boxes down and his hands were hanging at his sides as he scanned up and down the hallway.

This is so surreal; I feel like character in a cop show.

Jamie said “all clear” near the front door just before opening it. I walked in and cringed as the smell of rotten food assaulted my nose. I’d always kept the apartment clean, and I liked scented candles, so it had always smelled nice in here. Now it smelled like a dumpster. Chris and Jack followed behind me carrying the boxes. No one mentioned the smell, though there was no way on God’s green Earth they hadn’t noticed it.

We needed fresh air while we packed, at least I did, so I opened the balcony door. I inhaled deeply before turning back to the mess.

It didn’t surprise me that Craig had taken out some his anger on some of the things I’d left behind. Several books were torn and scattered around the living room. He’d smashed frames and torn the pictures of us. And there were pieces of ceramic and glass knickknacks on the floor.

“I’m guessing these are your things.” Chris said looking around at the carnage.

“Yeah. We can leave most of it.” I was sad so many things had been destroyed, but at least none of it had sentimental value. “No point in packing broken shit. I have some clothes in the bedroom, and a few things in the kitchen.”

“Why don’t you tell Chris what’s yours in the kitchen, he can pack in there while you grab your clothes. Tell me which books are yours, so I can pack them. I’ll make a list of the ruined ones so you know what you need to replace.”

I noticed he hadn’t assigned anything to Jack, apparently he wasn’t there to help pack.

We worked quickly while Jack stood near the door. In no time, we had several boxes packed and ready to be carried out so Jamie and Chris carried them down to Chris’s car.

While taking a water break in the kitchen, my breath caught in my throat as my whole body tensed when I heard the door open.What if it’s Craig?I almost laughed at how pathetic I sounded.Jack is standing in the doorway. I shook out my fear and got back to work.

I had music playing on my phone as I finished packing in my closet,not mine, not after today, when I thought I heard the bedroom door close. I was shaking off the flash of fear, assuming it was one of the guys, when I heard “You fucking bitch!” Craig’s angry growl was low enough that no one else would’ve heard him.

Out of habit, I bit back my scream as I turned around and faced him, my heart beating out of my chest. From my position in the closet doorway I could see the open balcony door. The second door I'd opened to let in the fresh air. It hadn’t occurred to me he might climb up the tree outside and come in through the second-story balcony door.

No one knows he’s here.

“I saw your brother and your friends. Did you really think I’d be afraid of them?” Craig was closing the distance as he taunted me. "I'll be gone before they even realize I'm here."

He paused when Chris called out from the hall, “Em? You alright in there?”

Craig practically hissed, “Don’t say a fucking word,” before turning towards the door.

Taking advantage of the distraction, I moved to the other side of the bed, creating a barrier between us. Then prayed Chris would realize something was wrong when I didn’t answer.

---