Page 129 of More than Paper

I need to call into work. I’m a mess.

I set my cup of coffee on the table and grab my phone out of my purse.

My gut drops as I see a message from Jamison. “I love you, doll. I’m going to give you everything you want and deserve. Please don’t give up on me. I might not be reachable for a while, just know I’m thinking of you.”

I blink back tears but they fall.

Piper sees my tears. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

I hand her the phone. “What does that even mean?”

She reads it out loud.

“Shit,” Noah mutters.

I snap my head at him. “What does that mean?”

He doesn’t say anything but shakes his head in tiny movements.

“Noah, you better start talking.” Piper glares.

“It means he went to Colombia to take down Alejandro.”

The blood drains from my face, and chills run through my body. “What are you talking about, Noah?”

“He said he can’t live without you and is going to get his freedom so he can divorce Valeria.”

“What? He’ll get killed!”

Noah shuts his eyes then opens them.

“Noah! How could you let him go?” I cry out and push the button to dial Jamison’s number.

“Xander and I both tried to stop him. He wouldn’t listen.”

Jamison’s phone goes straight to voice mail.

“Noah, he said Alejandro would cut his eyes out!”

Noah looks away.

“How could you and Xander let him go, Noah?” Piper asks.

“Enough, Piper! You stick your nose in Quinn and Jamison’s business, leave us an hour away from home, don’t give Jamison an option to explain or tell his side of the story, and you make millions of assumptions. Now you’re going to blame Xander and me for Jamison trying to fix this situation so he can get divorced and give Quinn what she wants. I’m done listening to this.” Noah stands up and walks out of the room.

Piper’s face is red, and she sits back. “Shit. I’m sorry, Quinn.”

I go after Noah. “Do you have Valeria’s number?”

He turns. “Yes, why?”

“Maybe she has service in Colombia.”

“I’ve already tried. It’s going to voicemail.”

I put my hand on my face. “God, this is all my fault.”

Noah pulls me into him. “No, it’s not. I’m sorry I said that. This has been a long time coming.”

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