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I’d felt uneasy walking to and from my job, but I’d attributed that to being outside the shelter for the first time in months. Had it been more than a case of nerves? Had Martin been watching me? My heart raced as the thought occurred to me.
“I’ll have Winston talk to him,” she said.
“No. I’ll handle it.”
Angry, frustrated tears flooding my eyes, I stared at the cardboard box that lay open on Clara’s desk. The despised collar was inside it, along with numerous photos of me in humiliating poses. Fury rose within me, and my blood began to flow hot like lava.
“I don’t think that’s wise,” Grace warned as I gripped the receiver. “What about the terms of the agreement?”
“Martin violated those terms sending this here.”
The box hadn’t appeared out of nowhere. Its arrival could probably be traced back to him. On one of the photos where I knelt at his feet, he’d writtenYOU’RE MINE. That was admissible evidence. His DNA too, which was probably present on that cursed collar, which Winston had probably given back to Martin after he unlocked it from my neck. Regardless, it would no longer be just my word against his about what had happened.
“What are you going to do?” Grace whispered.
“What I have to. Good-bye,” I said and ended the call.
“Addy.” Clara placed her hand on my arm. “You’re not thinking of confronting him, are you?”
“No.”
“Good.” She exhaled her relief. “We need to call the police and turn in these things. Go through the proper channels. These items are a threat. He’s an unhinged, dangerous man. I don’t like the idea of him being around the facility. We need to expand the outer perimeter and add additional security. The alarm system should probably be upgraded.”
I frowned, guilt plaguing me. “Those things cost a lot of money.”
Like most facilities, Restore House operated using donations and were on a shoestring budget. They had helped me so much. I wasn’t going to allow Martin to be the reason the shelter went under. I was done with him ruining every single aspect of my life.
“I’m not thinking of confronting him,” I told her. “Iamgoing to confront him.”
Pulling in a sharp breath, she shook her head. “That wouldn’t be wise.”
“It’s necessary.” I firmed my shoulders.
“I’ll go with you.”
“No.” I shook my head. “It’s something I have to do, and I have to do it alone. He needs to know I’m not his plaything anymore. He can’t intimidate me.”
“I can’t endorse this, Addy,” Clara said with a frown. “You’re not ready for this step, and it shouldn’t be done like this. You need to let the authorities handle it. Go through the proper channels to hold him accountable. Make it stick.”
“There aren’t proper channels where he’s concerned.”
Her brow creased. “No one’s above the law.”
“He is.”
I’d been on the receiving end of his connections and workarounds once before. I didn’t know how far his reach extended, but I suspected far. That was why I’d gone to his father. I had a feeling both men did what they needed to, not necessarily what was strictly legal, to get what they wanted and to hold on to it.
“If you don’t follow protocol,” she said carefully, “you’ll have to leave the shelter.”
“I know.” Tears filled my eyes. I didn’t want to leave. Not yet.
“Oh, Addy.” Clara shook her head sadly. “You were so close to completing the program.”
I’d been close to crossing so many finish lines, but events like this seemed to always come along and throw me for a loop.
Determined, I curled my hands into fists. What I’d accomplished so far at the shelter would have to be enough.
• • •
