Gretchen’s face was pure rage as she got in the driver’s seat and started the car. “What happened? Is she okay?”
“We have to go. Go!” I yelled.
“Should we call the police?” Even as Jack asked, he sounded unsure.
“No police,” Suzie said with a haunted look, her face going even paler.
Gretchen, Jack, and I exchanged a glance. It may have been the wrong choice but in that moment, I would do whatever Suzie said.
Gretchen nodded and pulled out of the parking lot. Nobody followed us out. There was going to be hell to pay. I would pay it and more. Whatever it took to get her out alive. I cradled her in my arms in the backseat, only vaguely aware of the last few minutes. I'd been all action and no thought. They—well, mostly Gretchen—peppered me with questions but I couldn't speak. I couldn't describe what I had found upon walking in that room. I couldn't do anything but hold Suzie in my arms and pet her face and what was left of her hair.
“Let’s get her home,” Jack said.
“She’s going to my place,” Gretchen said the words as facts.
I shook my head. “Not a chance.”
“Ford. This is not your choice. It was hers. She’s already packed.”
“What?”
“Before the party. She wanted me to get her.”
Suzie remained quiet when I looked at her, unseeing and seemingly unaware of the conversation happening about her.
“No. She belongs with me,” I said, but my voice was weak.
“What, so you can leave her the second things get hard? Again?”
“That’s not fair.”
“No!” Gretchen yelled out in the silent car. “This isn’t fair. Look at her. You left her and this happened.”
Her words reflected the guilt I felt. She was right, but I couldn’t leave her now. I couldn’t leave her side when she needed me most.
“I’m glad you got there to save her from who knows what. But I’m stepping in now. I’m taking over. You’ve done enough,” Gretchen said.
I looked to Jack but he shook his head and said, “It should be her choice.”
I held Suzie tighter. They were right. I didn’t deserve her. All I could do now was let her go.
Chapter 29
Clifford
Suzie was in hiding. Gretchen and the rest of the SWS had taken it upon themselves to hide her from the Black Demons until we could make sure she was safe. We hadn’t heard anything from Occum or his thugs but it was only a matter of time.
I wasn't eating or sleeping. I couldn't focus on work. In the week since Gretchen took her away, I'd gone through the motions of my life. I texted Suzie all the time asking after her. She'd responded, "I'm fine," every time until yesterday she finally said, "Please stop trying to reach me. Gretchen will tell Jack if anything happens."
I was gutted but I had to respect her wishes. I had to do what was best for her. Rationally, I understood that. I only wished that my heart would get the memo because it ached with pain every fucking minute of the day. I missed her so much. I missed her clomping around the house and singing and dancing like she was perpetually on the set of a musical. I missed her goofy and often adolescent attempts to make me laugh. I missed her.
I stood behind the desk in my office staring out the window when Dean Lucero cleared her throat to get my attention.
I jumped and turned to her. “Sorry, I didn’t hear you come in.”
Her hands were clasped, instantly filling me with dread. My face must have betrayed my growing alarm. Her features softened but the thin line of her mouth spoke of unpleasant business. "Please, let's sit."
We both did so, facing each other across my desk.
