Page 21 of Ozzie

Seattle? I step closer.

“We could move as soon as you’d have us.”

Move?

“I don’t need time to think about it. I’ve made my decision.”

I step even closer, and Durango must hear the crutchesbecause he turns to me. No point in hiding now so I open the door fully.

“All right. I’ll wait for your call. Thank you.” He ends the call and pockets his phone.

“What the hell is going on?” I ask.

“That was my boss. I requested a transfer to Stormy’s Seattle team. As soon as he gives the green light, we’re moving.”

I wait for him to say he’s joking, but I know he’s not. “Wow, you’d go this far to keep me away from Ozzie?”

He frowns. “No, I’m keeping you away from your scumbag ex.”

“By moving me closer to Montana? No, that’s not what this is about.”

He steps past me into the cabin. “John knows where we live in New York. It’s no longer safe. We’ll have to go back to the house to pack up once I hear from Stormy. Until then, we can stay here.”

I follow him inside. “No, I’m not moving.”

“I’m sorry, but you don’t have a choice. You can’t stay in New York alone as long as John is free.”

And with his connections, John will always be free.

“Yes, I can. I made a new life for myself in New York, and that asshole is not going to ruin it for me!”

Starting over my last year of college was not easy, but I did it. And I’ve made some great friends in Brooklyn. I love that place and won’t let John run me out of there. But if Durango insists, what choice do I have? While I love my job as a receptionist for RHS, it doesn’t pay enough to live in NYC on my own.

And even with my degree, there aren’t many jobs right now that pay better or that I would qualify for. I’m stuck, and I hate it. I go through my friends in my mind, but none of them are looking for a roommate.

“Durango, you’ve been many things, but controlling is not one of them. Right now, you remind me of my ex.” I turn and leave him in the kitchen and make my way to the room I’m staying in.

I pull out my phone and text Alicia, Lightning’s girlfriend. The moment we met, we clicked. She’s the one person I tell everything.

I’ve told her about John and my feelings for Ozzie. But I feel bad because I haven’t talked to her since I got shot. There are several missed text messages from her asking how I am doing. I should have responded by now, but John is not something I really want to talk about.

Piper:Sorry I haven’t responded. It’s been a crazy few days.

Alicia:I heard you’re at the cabin. You going stir-crazy?

If only that were it.

Piper:Worse. Durango asked to transfer to the Seattle office and said we are moving there.

My phone rings. “Hey,” I answer.

“Seattle? Why?”

I sigh. “He says it is to get away from my ex, but I’m certain it’s really to keep me and Ozzie apart. I mean, Seattle is closer to Montana, so it makes no sense.”

“No way. Your cousin is a nice guy. He wouldn’t pull that kind of bullshit-controlling move. Would he?”

I wouldn’t have thought so, either, if she’d asked me prior, but now I’m not so sure. “Last night, I told Durango Iwas going to date Ozzie whether he liked it or not. Then this morning, I wake up and find him on the phone requesting the move.”

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