Page 16 of Return to Me Always

"A friend's again," I said. "Okay. And are they never home too?"

"Aye, you guessed it."

I shook my head, smiling. "I'm beginning to think you're some kind of secret agent or something."

Tyler didn't say anything, just seemed alert as he led me toward the front door. He pushed in some code, and the door opened to reveal a spacious living room that was tastefully decorated. This place was the exact opposite of the London apartment.

"Wow," I gushed. "It's beautiful here."

Tyler had already disappeared, and I could hear him walking through the house, doors opening and closing. Was he looking for someone? After hearing him search through the upstairs, he reappeared at my side.

"I figured you could use a wee break, maybe eat, shower," he said, shrugging.

"Sure. Yeah." That sounded amazing. "And I couldreallyuse a hot chocolate," I said more to myself than to him.

Tyler just nodded and walked to the front door like he was going somewhere.

"What's going on? Are you leaving?" I asked, a little nervous at being alone in this big house in a strange city.

"The motorcycle is low on petrol, so I'm going back out. I won't be gone long."

I could handle that. "Okay. Then maybeyoucould get some sleep?"

"Might do." He smiled that half-grin I was beginning to crave. "Don't open the door for anyone except me. Got it?"

"Yep. Got it, boss. Yes, siree."

He gave me a sideways look and left. After I shrugged off my coat and set it on the counter, I found a glass and filled it with water. But it did nothing to stop the craziness I was feeling right now. Not to mention the worry. And fear.

I thought about my mom and decided I should probably call her. But what could I say? If she didn't already know about this insanity, I wasn't going to tell her. My anxiety was nothing compared to my mom's. She freaked out if I drank milk one day after the expiration date—which weirdly seemed to happen a lot in our house.

After a small brainstorm, I decided I would just say I was going on a trip way up north into Scotland and didn't know if I'd have cell service for a while.

My heart sped up as I dialed her, and I realized I had no clue what time it even was in Phoenix. After several rings, I was relieved that she wasn't picking up, and I left her a message.

I heard a click at the door and headed toward the window to make sure it was Tyler. It seemed kind of quick, but maybe the gas station was really close. Halfway to the front of the house, utter hell descended on me.

The door crashed open to reveal Malcolm, pointing a gun straight at my chest.

"Hands up where I can see them!" he shouted.

Stunned, I couldn't move a muscle.

"Now!"

Slowly, I raised my hands, a million thoughts flooding my brain and adrenaline pumping through my body. "What do you want from me?" I cried.

The look on his face made him almost unrecognizable. "You know damn well what I want."

"I have no clue!" Panic surged through my veins.

"I want what I've always wanted from you but was denied all those years ago."

What the hell did that even mean? "What are you talking about?"

He stared at me, filling me with terror as every second passed.

Finally, he said, "You really don't know, do you? You don't remember? Tyler hasn't told you anything?"

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