Page 31 of Honey Trapped

“What the hell was that?” I ask when he breaks away.

“Got you to calm down, didn't I?”

“Ugh.” I push against his chest, and he grins.

“It’s Eileen being a child. You want to look have at it.” He hands me the crumpled note.

I unfold and smooth the paper as he steps back.

“I’m watching you,” I mutter and my heart stops.

“See this is why I didn't want to show you. She’s a dumb cunt.”

“It’s not Eileen,” I tell him.

“Who else would it be?”

“I’m sorry. I need to get Lennon. I've gotta go. I can't—we can't stay here. I don’t know why I thought this time would be any different.” Panic sets in and the tears start.

“Norah.” Ace Grabs my shoulders and shakes me. “Talk to me. You’re not making sense.”

“I don’t want to burden you. I wish...I just let me go please.”

“No. God damn it. Tell me what’s got you ready to run at a moment’s notice.”

I shake my head. “It’s not your problem.” My stomach bubbles. I think I’m going to vomit. Heat spreads along the back of my neck. Sweat beads drip down my spine.

“Fuck that. I decide what’s my problem and what isn’t.”

“I...” I crumble in his arms as fear and shame consumes me. Will Ace think I’m terrible or not worth the trouble when he learns about Marco?

Ace guides me inside only we’re in his place not mine. I don't have time to register anything but the fact that I’m seated at his kitchen table and he’s pouring me a glass of Coke and Jim Beam.

“Drink then talk.”

“I don't know where to even start.”

“Beginning is usually the best spot.”

“You’re going to think I’m a terrible person.”

“Why?”

“I didn’t tell Lennon’s father about her.”

Ace stares at me, and I can see the judgment forming in his features as he takes in my confession. I wrap my hands around the glass and take a big sip. The liquor burns my throat and sizzles in the pit of my stomach.

I stare at Lennon’s artwork hanging on his fridge, and I want to cry. He cares about us, but it scares me.

Chapter Sixteen

Ace

I stare at Norah wondering what could compel her to keep something so monumental from someone. She doesn't seem the type, but I don’t know her well enough to make that call. Not yet, but something keeps pushing us into each other’s paths. Despite my need for self-preservation after Eileen, I gotta be honest with myself. There’s something sparking between us. Something I think could be better than good if we both let it.

“I know what you must be thinking, but I never meant for it to turn into this. I met Marco at a party one summer. He was charming and good looking. He made me feel special. I thought he loved me. I was young and dumb. I didn't ask questions about how he earned money. His family was rich, and it made sense he’d be well off. Only when things started to get serious between us and I moved in he changed. Or maybe I didn't know the real him. Not yet, but hegot possessive. It started small. Marco would get jealous when I went out with my friends. Then it escalated to telling me how to dress. One night we got into a terrible fight. It wasn't pretty and he got physical, and he...he raped me after he beat me up. A neighbor heard me screaming and called the cops.”

Norah pauses for another drink. The thought of any man putting his hands on her has me wanting to commit murder. I’m going to kill the bastard.

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