Page 94 of The Quiet After The Fall

“Even while we figure out what we’re doing with my dad’s information and what you found. No disappearing on me, or choosing them over me. None of it, Knox. I can’t survive that a second time.”

“You won’t have to.” I take hold of her hand and press it against my chest, right over my heart. “I’m not going anywhere. Not from you.”

She studies me for a long moment. I don’t blame her for being cautious, I only hope she believes me this time.

Finally, her expression softens and her shoulders ease on an exhale.

“Okay,” she whispers.

She curls back into my side, and I hold her, letting myself believe that we’ll get through this. That after everything, we can finally start fresh soon.

My eyes start to drift closed, but then Sawyer’s phone buzzes. She stretches for it, squinting at the screen. “It’s my mom.”

She lets it ring until voicemail picks up.

“Maybe you should call her back?” I offer as it chimes with a new voicemail notification.

“Let’s see what she wants first.” She hits play, holding the phone between us.

“Sawyer, honey, where are you? I’m standing outside your apartment right now…there was a man here saying he had a delivery for you, and when you didn’t answer, I just took it inside myself. It’s this big envelope, no return address on it, nothing. Your place is a mess, clothes everywhere.” She tuts, her footsteps audible.

“I don’t like this, Sawyer. First, Richard calls me out of nowhere yesterday. Something’s going on and I need you to call me back. Please. As soon as you get this.”

The voicemail cuts off and Sawyer scrambles to a sitting position. “What the fuck? Who is that man and what did he give my mom?”

“I don’t know.” My mind whirls thinking of every possibility. I sit up quickly, despite my ribs protesting. Sawyer’s already off the bed, reaching for clothes.

“I need to call her back right now.”

Chapter 24

Sawyer

“Where the fuck are my shoes?” I’m frantic, my heart pounding, vision turning dark at the edges. Knox grabs my wrist, forcing me to stop.

“We can’t drive over there right now.”

“But my mom. That letter. I’m not just going to sit here.”

“I know, but think about it…if Moretti’s watching your apartment enough to hand deliver something, showing up there yourself is exactly what they want.” His grip softens, thumb tracing over my pulse point. “Let’s call her back, make sure she’s okay. But we can’t be seen going back to your place, not with everything happening right now.”

Every instinct in me is screaming to tell him to fuck off and go anyway, but he’s right, and I hate it. I sit back down on the edge of the bed, knee vibrating, and dial before I can talk myself out of listening to him.

She picks up on the first ring. “Sawyer! Oh, thank God, where have you⁠—”

“Are you okay, Mom? That man, he didn’t hurt you?”

“What? No. Of course not. He was just a delivery man. What in the world is going on?”

Knox squeezes my hand. “I’m okay, Mom, I promise. I’m just staying with a friend for a bit.”

“A friend? Which friend? Why? What’s going on⁠—”

“A new friend. I met her at school.” I close my eyes, hating how easily the lie slips out. “That envelope you were talking about. Please don’t open it. I’ll come get it soon, just don’t touch it, okay?”

She’s quiet for too long, which tells me she’s gearing up for another round of questioning. “Sawyer, what is going on with you?”

“I’ll explain everything soon. I promise. Love you, Mom.” I hang up before she can push harder, guilt curdling low in my stomach the second the call ends.