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“Clark.” I shake my head.
“No. It was Caleb Shawland and Detective Andrews. They’re working on something now, and they need to know you’re safe.”
“Caleb. Can I speak with him?”
Gail sits back on her heels. “I’m not sure if that’s a good idea, Kally. You’re doing so well.”
“And Caleb won’t undo that hard work. If anything, he’ll help me understand what’s going on. Please, Gail. I need to speak with him.”
Gail looks unsure of what to do for the best.
I growl out my frustration. “You either let me speak to Caleb Shawland here, or I leave and speak to him at home. Either way, I will speak to him today.”
I know I sound like a bitch, but I’ve been treated like a timid little mouse for too long. I won’t return to that person… ever.
“Okay. I’ll bring in a cellphone for you. Give me five minutes.”
Gail gets up from the ground and leaves me sitting in the chair. I look out of the window to my right and close my eyes.
Earlier this morning, I felt normal. I felt like I was being unreasonable taking up this space within the facility when people worse off need it… then this happens. I suddenly feel unhinged again. Is this what it’s going to be like for the rest of my life? Am I always going to be one moment away from exploding when something reminds me of my past? It’s like I take two steps forward and get thrown back six. It’s exhausting.
Gail returns to my room and holds out the cell for me to take. “I’ll leave you alone. Caleb is waiting.”
I look down at the cell in my hand and hold it towards my chest. I get up and walk over to the window.
“Caleb…”
“Hi. Not that this isn’t a nice surprise, but are you okay?”
“I think so. I just needed to speak with you because you won’t bullshit me like everyone here is doing. I don’t need kid gloves right now, Caleb.”
“Okay. What’s going on?”
I take in a deep breath. “I was going to ask you the same thing. I haven’t been held prisoner here since I arrived, yet, suddenly, I’m locked up, unable to walk around the grounds. What’s going on?”
“Have you spoken to Clark?”
“Not since he left here yesterday. Why? Is he okay?”
Caleb sighs. “He’s okay. We’ve got a couple of leads to follow up, but the police are taking care of it and we’re keeping an eye on things from our compound.”
“Wait, you’re not here?”
“No. We left after you went into therapy. You were the reason we were there, to keep you safe. Clark has enough security at his house, so he’s safe. We made sure all of his staff are above board.”
“You need to come back. Colton…” I pause because the feel of that name leaving my lips makes me so angry. “He’s dangerous, Caleb. Clark can’t deal with him alone.”
“Honey, I promise you, we’re on top of things.”
“I’m begging you, Caleb. Please. Please come back to New Orleans.”
“Okay.”
Okay. Just like that? “You’re not just saying that to shut me up and get me off the line?”
Caleb laughs at me, and I smile. “No, honey. I’m not just telling you that. I promise I’ll get back to New Orleans within the next twenty-four hours. But you’ve got to promise me something.”
The line goes quiet, and I swallow deeply. “Anything.”
