Page 148 of ICED
“I don’t feel brave.”
“Doesn’t mean you’re not.”
Her breath catches a little, and I feel her fingers curl slightly against my chest as she softly plays with the hair that forms a rug there.
“You’re allowed to be scared, Maya,” I murmur. “You’ve been holding so much for so long. But you don’t have to carry it alone anymore.”
Her voice cracks as she whispers, “I really don’t, do I?”
“No, baby. You’ve got me. And the guys, they love you both just as much as I do.”
And she does. She has all of me.
We lie like that in the hush of our bedroom, the house still and warm around us, her suitcase still by the door, but untouched. Unneeded.
At least for tonight.
And maybe for good.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
MAYA
Owen’s breathing is slow and deep, a soft rhythm against the nape of my neck. His arm is draped over my waist, heavy and warm, anchoring me to the bed. Our bodies are tangled under the duvet, and for the first time in hours, I’m not cold. I’m not shaking. I’m not packing or planning or preparing for the next worst thing.
I’m just here. Safe. Held. Still.
I whisper, “I love you,” though I’m not even sure he can hear me. His chest rises and falls, his exhale brushing my shoulder. I close my eyes and press my hand over his, letting the comfort of his grip settle through me.
I don’t remember falling asleep. But I must have. Because the next thing I know, the room is vibrating. Not in that dreamlike, half-wakeful haze. No. My phone is buzzing on the nightstand. The screen lights up, cutting through the dark.
Owen stirs, groaning a little. “What time is it?”
I reach for the phone, throat already tightening. It’s barely four in the morning.
Unknown number. That’s never good. I answer, my voice barely a whisper. “Hello?”
“Miss Dawson?”
I sit up straighter. “Yes?”
“It’s Robert Gill. Your landlord. I’m sorry to call so early. There’s… there’s been a situation.”
Owen’s already awake, propped on one elbow, eyes on me.
“What kind of situation?” I ask, my voice steadier than I expect.
“The alarm system at the flat went off about an hour ago, I knew you’d been away for a few weeks so I called the police. They were dispatched immediately. When they arrived…” He pauses. “They found someone inside. A man. He was… he was destroying the place.”
Owen sits up fully now. “Jamie?” he mouths.
My skin turns ice cold.
“Did they arrest him?” I ask.
“Yes. He resisted, but they managed to restrain him. He’s in custody now. I had to give them your details obviously but I thought you should hear it from me. No doubt they’ll be ringing you soon. I’ll be at the flat this morning to assess the damage.”
I swallow. “Thank you. Thank you for calling.”
