Page 209 of Even Exchange

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

Time is of the essence, and yet I’m chained to the driver’s seat of the Bronco, down the street from the Benson estate, unable to drag myself inside.

How did we get here?

My ownmotheris blackmailing people over my love life.

What kind of psycho shit is this?

I know these elections are important to her, but for fuck’s sake.

My phone buzzes, yanking me out of my spiral.

NOAH

Are you still at the library?

I blow out a shaky breath. The deal was Noah and I would come here together, but Denny let it slip they’d all be out of the house for an event today, and it seemed like the perfect opportunity. Given Noah has a game tonight, I knew there was no way I could bother him with it. He’s already made it clear he’d tank his career for me, but I refuse to let him.

Being his wife is the safest I’ve ever felt, and I need to make sure he’s protected too. Make sure whatever my mother has on him is useless or we’re fully prepared for it. The mere thought of him being hurt by something she does makes my blood boil.

In my head, I calculate how long until I can get to the Barracudas’ stadium.

Ten minutes to find the documents.

Ninety minutes home to store them.

Thirty to the stadium.

Two hours and ten minutes… Let’s say three to play it safe. A sinking feeling settles in my stomach as I type out a reply. But this has to be done. He’ll forgive me later.

I hope.

ME

Yes. But I’m almost done

I’m going to take a quick nap at home then I’ll be there

NOAH

Awh is my wife tired from growing little Brie

My wife.The guilt sinks further, but it’s replaced by baby’s movement, reminding me why I’m doing this in the first place.

I rest a hand on my stomach. “Wish Mommy luck, little one.”

Releasing a shaky breath, I finally force myself out of the car. The driveway is empty, as expected, and I rush up to the entrance. If I’m caught, I’ll just say I came to talk.Figure something out.

The front door creaks as I push it open, and the alarm sounds. I hurry to shut it off, grateful the code hasn’t changed.

My footsteps echo through the quiet, empty halls.

The last time it was this still was after my grandma died. The estate was loud and chaotic for hours as they cleaned everything up, but once the coroners left and my parents went to the station to give their statements, it was just… silence.

A chill runs down my back.I’m not here to reminisce.I hurry to Mom’s office, and once inside, my eyes bolt around for something, anything that could contain information on Jonathan—and possibly Noah.

Remembering the overheard conversation on the Fourth and the loud banging, I opt to start with her desk. As each drawer checked comes up empty, I begin to panic.

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