Page 14 of The Forbidden Secret

“Maggie…”

“It’s probably unrelated,” she started. “But three days ago, I noticed that Beatrice and I were being followed. My boyfriend was paranoid because of the baby and my pregnancy, and he called the police before anything happened. They showed up and couldn’t find the guy.”

“Do you really think it was just a one-time thing?”

“I want to think that,” she replied.

“Are the police monitoring the area?”

“They have too much other stuff to worry about. The file is open, but they can’t spare a cruiser to sit in front of the house when we were followed in a different location altogether.They didn’t have reason to think it was more than an isolated incident.”

“I never told anyone about you or Beatrice. It’s unlikely that they would know about you since my own father didn’t, but you need to be careful.”

The silence that drew on between us made me nervous. I knew there was more that she wanted to say. I hated to ask her to keep Beatrice longer, especially when I was meant to have her out of their home by now. I knew she was ready to have her home back.

“Evelina, I’m almost nine months pregnant. I want to help you. You’re my best friend, and youmademy career with your artwork. I’m honored to be able to keep Beatrice for you, and she’s such a joy to be around. But… honey, I’m just worried that this danger is further reaching than you think.”

“I am, too,” I admitted with a long sigh.

“And you know I can’t keep her once I give birth. I really do want to, but we have a studio apartment, and we can’t have more than one baby here.”

I was asking her to dosomuch for me. Would I have made these same sacrifices for anyone in my life? I wasn’t sure. “You’ve kept her longer than I should have ever asked of you. I’m not asking you to keep her once you give birth. I’m going to figure this out. I swear, I will. I just need you to know that I’m trying to get out of this right now, and I’m going to come for her soon.”

“I know you will, Evelina.”

Maggie knew how I felt about being separated from Beatrice. It had been the most difficult decision of my life, and as my bestfriend, she had been there and done whatever was necessary to make it a little easier.

I would never forget that kindness.

I realized quickly how little time I had left until Zeke returned and stood. “I’ve got to go, Maggie. I’ll figure this out as fast as I can. I’ll be in touch whenever possible, but don’t call this number back. You won’t reach me here.”

“Be safe, Evelina. I’ll make sure Beatrice gets extra hugs and kisses from her mama.”

“Tell her I love her more than anything.”

At the same time as I ended the call, Zeke came inside. I made quick work of deleting the call history before hiding the phone behind my back as I left the bedroom and made my way back into the living area. I walked by the chair where he had been sitting before and dropped the phone into it before facing him in the kitchen.

“We’re clear,” he said as he adjusted a motion-censored alert system to face the door.

“Are you against answering all of my questions?” I asked.

That captured his attention.

I decided that was enough attention to call for pushing my first question. “Why did you buy all of my paintings on the night we met?”

His eyes flashed, but he shook his head. “Not that one.”

“Are you keeping secrets from me for a reason or just to make yourself feel superior?”

“I always have a reason for what I say and do, Evelina.”

“Then what was your reason for having sex with me and leaving?”

“Am I not allowed to sleep with a beautiful woman because I’m attracted to her?” he asked. “Do I have to have a reason beyond general attraction?”

Maybe it was my intuition failing me, but Ididthink there was another reason. His refusal to answer so many of my questions was enough to tell me that there were things he didn’t want me to know.

“Okay, fine. So why are you keeping so many secrets from me? Why won’t you answer any of my questions?”

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