Page 156 of His Good Girl

They had watchedus.

Some stranger had looked at something that had been mine and Callum’s and turned it into leverage against the entire company. They had used me because I was useful, a pressure point, and because the quickest way to make powerful men bleed, apparently, was still to aim at the woman beside them and call it strategy.

My phone buzzed in my coat pocket.

I knew it was him before I looked at the screen.

Callum Rowe:Home?

I stared at his name until the letters blurred. I should have answered immediately. I should have told him I was inside, locked in, fine, eating something, or sleeping like he always told me to. Instead, I sat there on the floor staring at the phone, my heart trying to beat through my ribs.

Another buzz.

Callum Rowe:Avery?

The fact that he used just my name undid me a little.

Me:Home. Door locked.

His reply came quickly.

Callum Rowe:Good. I’ll call in ten.

Panic sparked through the calm.

Me:Don’t.

Three dots appeared, then disappeared and then appeared again.

Callum Rowe:Tell me why.

Because if I hear your voice, I’ll cry. Because if I cry, you’ll come here. Because if you come here, I’ll let you hold me, and then I will never find the part of me that knows how to stand up on my own again. Because I do not want to be protected until there is nothing left of me except you.

I typed none of that. Maybe I should have.

Me:I need Jules tonight.

A pause.

Longer this time.

Callum Rowe:Alright.

Then:

Callum Rowe:I want you to tell her only what you are comfortable telling her. Do not send photos. Do not forward anything. Do not discuss legal strategy.

I almost smiled despite everything.

Me:Yes, sir.

His answer took several seconds.

Callum Rowe:Not tonight. Tonight, just be safe.

That made me cry.

One second, I was not crying, and then I was, silently at first, tears spilling hot and fast down my face while I sat on the floor and stared at the phone in my hand. I pressed my fist against my mouth and tried to stop it, which of course made it worse.