Page 126 of Your Sharpest Edge
We had a rule that Damien was not allowed to be in his presence, and that was never an issue with him being in jail. The once-in-a-blue-moon phone calls were fine, but I was supposed to be warned about this.
Fuck my lawyer. Fuck him so hard because you cannot call me the day before, no, hours before he was getting released to let me know. I’d need to get safeguards in place. Thank fuck Damien was with Ledger. As much as I wanted to be there, Ledger had the physical ability to protect him.
“Did he call you?” Alex asked Dirks as we pulled into Alex’s apartment complex.
“No. Nothing.”
“This doesn’t make sense,” Alex said softly.
A sigh of relief mixed with a surge of anxiety as we pulled up to the building.
Dirks didn’t even have a chance to fully park before I’d flung open the door and bolted toward the building. My heart pounded, a mixture of fear and determination fueling my steps.
“Anastasia,” Alex screamed from behind me. “Stop.”
To anyone watching, I must’ve looked frantic, like I was possessed. Alex’s voice cut through my haze of panic, and I paused mid-step, turning around to face him. His expression was a blend of worry and resolve.
“I will not let you go in there alone,” he said, his tone firm but filled with concern. “I know you’re perfectly capable of taking care of yourself, but please, wait for me.”
The sincerity in his eyes made me realize how much he cared. Dirks was already running up the sidewalk, his long strides eating up the distance. His face was set with determination, mirroring Alex’s concern.
I nodded to both of them, a silent agreement passing between us. This wasn’t about me anymore; we were in this together. For so long I wanted to be a part of a team, but I thought I needed to prove to myself that I could do it on my own. The only person I had a team with was my ex-husband, who proved to be a horrible player.
I thought the only way I could eventually find another teammate was to sacrifice my own happiness. As I looked at Alex, I realized we were really in this together. With a deep breath, I steadied myself.
We entered the building, the once-familiar surroundings feeling strangely foreign. Each step echoed in the hallway, amplifying the heavy silence. As we stepped into the elevator,Alex reached for my hand. I looked up at him and then closed my eyes.
Please let this be over with.
The tension grew with each passing floor. The only sound was the faint hum of the elevator. When the door finally pinged open, it was the sole indication we had arrived. The moment I stepped out, with Alex holding my hand tightly, the muffled shouting from down the hallway reached my ears, sending a shiver down my spine.
It took everything in me not to break into a run. My heart pounded louder with each step, the shouting growing clearer, more intense. I glanced over at Alex, who squeezed my hand reassuringly, his eyes steady and unwavering.
“I need to walk over there and let go of you.” I looked down, trying to steady my breath.
Alex nodded, his grip firm yet gentle before he released my hand. “I’ll be right behind you. I’m not going anywhere.”
Taking a deep breath, I rounded the corner. The shouting grew louder, echoing off the walls. The hallway stretched on, every step feeling like a mile, the suspense tightening its grip around my chest.
With Alex a step behind, I pushed forward.
There he was, my ex-husband, standing outside the door, and thankfully, the door was clearly shut. The realization that Damien was still safe inside the apartment brought a wave of gratitude that momentarily eased my anxiety.
My ex-husband looked both familiar and shockingly different. Dressed in gray sweats and a white shirt, he had a rugged, unkempt appearance. His hair was long and wild, blonde curls haphazardly framing his face.
He appeared somehow stronger and far more terrifying than I remembered, his posture radiating a sense of barely contained rage.
Despite the fear clawing at my insides, I stood my ground. Alex’s hand was no longer in mine, but I still felt his unwavering support. Taking a deep breath, I summoned every ounce of courage I had left.
“Why are you here?” I whispered, the words barely leaving my lips.
Even after all these years, being around him made me feel so small.
His eyes met mine, and I saw the rage there. Once a soft shade of blue, his eyes now seemed icy and cold, piercing through me with an intensity that made my blood run cold. After all those years in prison, I’d hoped things might change. During our calls, he’d been pleasant with Damien, and I’d imagined this reunion might be better, even though I’d braced for the worst.
“Why areyouhere?”
Alex took a step forward. “Answer her question because right now, from where I’m standing, you’re atmydoor, banging on it.”
