Page 36 of First Time

“That’s not creepy,” I muttered.

“It’s called protective instincts. Now, get up. Let’s get shit done so we can share a bottle of wine and celebrate your freedom.”

Unsure of what to do outside of obeying her command, I slid off her soft mattress, slipped on the ballet flats that lay on the floor, and followed her into the hallway.

Chantelle’s confidence, her sure plan of attack carried me through readying for the day and eating a full breakfast along with another cup of coffee.

And when we drove westward away from the city?

I chewed on my fingernails, torn over hating what Stephen did to me—and yet wanting to help bring him back from the darkness he’d tumbled into.

Chapter 15

Daniel

My heart bottomed out at Chantelle’s words. I stumbled back into Micah’s living room, sure I’d heard her wrong. “She what?”

“I know,” Chantelle said over the cell I had clasped to my ear. “I’m pissed she changed her mind and decided to go back, but there was nothing I could do.”

“Fuck.” Eyes closing, I dropped onto the couch, the beer I had retrieved from Micah’s fridge wrapped in my fist.

“She’d really seemed to listen to me Saturday morning though, when I was giving it to her straight, and agreed to retrieve some of her clothes. She drove her car to my place and spent the night again but woke up this morning determined to make things right with him. She left around noon,” Chantelle said.

I opened my eyes and stared at the huge flat-screen hanging in Micah’s man cave. The Celtics were down by 26, but I didn’t give two shits about basketball at that moment. Stephen had been livid Friday night—on a goddamned murderous rampage in his mind. The shit that had come out of his mouth…

“Was he at the house when you took her over there yesterday?” I asked, my blood heated even as fear for Becky slithered goose bumps over my nape.

“No.”

“Fuck.” I scrubbed a hand down over my face, adrenaline rushing through me. “Think he’s going to hurt her?”

“I pray to God he doesn’t, or I’ll make sure he disappears never to be found again.”

I didn’t doubt Chantelle’s declaration one bit. She would take his life, burn his body, and feed his ashes to the ocean without a second thought. “Just make sure you string him up for a bit and make him suffer,” I muttered. “Better yet, let me help.”

“Our hands are tied right now, but at least Becky knows she has a safe place to go when she finally realizes the truth of her situation. I told her if she doesn’t check in with me within twenty-four hours, I’ll drive by myself.”

Better than fucking nothing, but the entire situation made me antsy. Fucked with my head and twisted my insides up tight. “Keep me informed, will you?”

“Of course.”

“And if there’s anything I can do, anything she needs...”

“I’ll call you first,” Chantelle promised, her voice soft for a change.

“Thanks.” I hung up and tossed my cell onto the end table beside me. Four sets of eyes stared at me.

Blake, Reid, and Jarod were all former Elites and my good friends who rarely got together without women or children in tow. Reid and Jarod could have been brothers with their matching tall, dark, and handsome looks, but it was Micah’s blue-eyed gaze that caught mine.

He lounged in his favorite recliner, brow raised.

“I’m quitting Elite,” I stated without preamble or hesitation.

His eyes narrowed, facial expression hardening as he scoffed and glanced around at the other employees he’d lost to love. “Some woman grab you by the balls too?” he asked, giving me his full focus once more.

“She hasn’t touched me yet. Has no clue she’s mine.”

He swigged his beer and muted the Celtics game without taking his focus off me. None of the other guys made a noise of complaint. “Explain.”

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