Page 56 of Break the Ice
Above our heads, Parker introduces himself to Elijah and vice versa. All the while, Summer gives me one last pleading speech to consider her job offer on both counts.
It’s only when we’re heading out of the hotel that Elijah asks, “You got a job offer?”
“Yes, she did,” Christina answers as I open my mouth to respond. With a sideways smack to his chest, she tells him, “Be happy for your girl.”
“I’m happy if she’s happy,” he grumbles back at her before focusing on me again. “Are you?”
“I haven’t accepted it.”
“Do you want to?” He’s giving me a tender, encouraging smile, but...
“I don’t know... I have no clue about interior design and then Summer was talking about me running errands and picking up samples from suppliers…”
“Fin,” he whispers, his arm tightening around my shoulders. “You’re super smart, you pick things up so fast, and?—”
“I can’t drive, Elijah.”
“He can teach you,” Christina offers instantly. “Right, Blondie?”
His brow hitches with his grin. “I’ll teach you to drive.”
“You will?” My heart is beating so hard that the words come out garbled.
“I told you; I’ll do anything for?—”
A blur.
Black. I think.
Everything is black.
Everything is pounding.
“Fuck!” Christina screams.
The air is hot and earthy, and I can’t move.
Then there’s a screech. It drills all the way through to my brain. So loud.Too loud.
“Fin? Fuck… are you okay?” Elijah’s arms are hard. Wrapped around me.
“I’m fine...” I think.
“Piece of shit,” Christina is still yelling when he pulls back and looks me over. “Bastards.”
Elijah’s hand grips mine as he turns to check out the road. The black SUV is stationary. Engine running. Lights on. The blacked-out driver’s window rolls down before the vehicle speeds away.
“Elijah…”
“What the fuck is this?” Christina asks, holding up a photo of the two of us walking into the hotel earlier.
We knew something was going to happen. Sooner or later, The Fellowship would come for me. To take me back.
“The fuck is all this?” Christina hastily picks up the other photos scattered on the floor around us.
Photos of Elijah. Of me. Of us. With Jayden… Christina…
“Elijah,” I choke as he crouches to pick up the one at our feet.
