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I sigh to myself as we step into the elevator.
Eli presses the button, and as the doors close, I realize it might be the last time I ever see that apartment. My eyes shut as I let out a breath while trying not to think about what’s to come.
A sudden hand on my shoulder makes me jolt up and down.
“You don’t have to worry,” he says. “It’s going to be okay.”
I find that hard to believe.
A slight squeeze follows, making me hyper aware of his presence, of his body towering over mine right behind me.
“What are you thinking about?”
I flush, not daring to say it out loud.
Suddenly, his lips are near my ear. “Are you thinking about all the wickedly sinful things I’ll do to you when we’re back?”
I swallow. Hard.
I wasn’t thinking about that at all. Only a little. Okay, maybe a lot. But I won’t admit that, and I most certainly won’t say that out loud. I might have gone with him, but he will never, ever claim my heart. I shut that option out entirely the second he took my free will away from me.
The doors open, and we step out. My eyes widen, and my jaw drops when someone presses the button to my doorbell outside the building. Jamie.
“No,” I whisper.
What is she doing here?
Eli’s arm wraps around my shoulder as he scurries me toward the door. Jamie’s eyes land on me as Eli walks me to the door, my feet scraping against the floor, desperate to get away from this situation. But it’s too late to go back and too late to stop her from seeing me. From seeing us.
The door opens. Eli takes me outside, his grip on my shoulder still as powerful as before. But I still manage to stop right as Jamie hovers next to us with her finger on my doorbell.
Her eyes widen too.
“Amelia?” she mutters.
Eli’s grip tightens even more, and he leans over me to gaze straight into my eyes with a look that predicts thunder. My heart beats faster and faster.
“Hi … Jamie,” I say.
She looks up at Eli, her pupils dilating. “You’re the man from the library.”
I frown and glance at Eli. So he was there, probably looking for me.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, trying to change the subject before she starts questioning him.
“I was looking for you,” she says. “You were gone in the middle of the night, and I couldn’t reach you anywhere.”
Right. My phone. I completely forgot. Eli must have it.
“Are you back with Chris?”
I gasp in shock at the mention of his name.
“No, I—”
“He’s gone,” Eli fills in for me.
Jamie looks at him but doesn’t say another word to him. “Are you okay?” She frowns, and then throws a look at Eli.
My lips part, but Eli’s nails digging into my skin make me stop. “I … I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine,” she says, gazing at him with full fervor. “Do I need to call someone?”
The police? No. They’ll try to search for Chris. And then I’ll be put in jail. Oh God.
“No, really, I’m fine,” I say, lifting a hand.
She leans in. “Who is this guy?” she whispers.
“A friend,” I say.
“A very … very … good friend,” Eli adds, making me blush.
Jamie makes a face. “O-okay. Well, I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Seems you’re still alive and well.”
“You don’t have to worry about me,” I say, waving it off as if it’s no big deal, even though I know where I’m going. I don’t want her to worry. In fact, it would probably be better for her if she forgot I even existed. At least then, she’d be safe. Safe from all of this.
“All right, if you say so,” she says, clutching her bag firmly against her. “I’ll see you soon then?”
“I don’t think so,” I say, licking my lips. “I’m moving. Away from this city.”
“Oh …” The look on her face darkens. “I thought you’d just come back, and now this.”
“I know.” I tuck my hair behind my ear.
It hurts to lie, but what other choice do I have? I don’t want to cause a scene and risk Eli and his henchmen taking her too.
“I just changed my mind about living here. You know, with all the memories and stuff. It just didn’t feel right.”
“Right …” she murmurs, looking away.
“But thank you,” I sputter. “Thank you for all your help.”
She smashes her lips together and nods. “Of course. Glad I could help.”
Eli suddenly leans forward and squishes my shoulders with both hands now. “I’ll take good care of her. We have to get going now.”
“Bye!” I yell while taking one last look at her before I turn away with Eli’s arm firmly around my shoulders. Only when I no longer see her do my eyes fill with tears, but I blink them away.
