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Could he be any more cryptic?
“Okay, um, that’s pretty fucking confusing. What am I supposed to do with that? I have someone out here trying to kill me!” I reply.
Andrew comes back to the phone. “I just need you to lay low for a little longer. I have a plan to get him, but I need time, okay?” There’s urgency in his voice.
I hesitate with a response. What does all this mean? Can I trust him? I don’t really have a choice; I need his help to bring it all together. Plus, we need time to look into the fire anyway.
“I’ll try, but if he comes after me again, my hands will be forced. I’ve been lucky so far, but I might not be the next time.”
Andrew sucks in a sharp breath. “I won’t let it come to that. I promise. No matter what I have to do, he won’t hurt you again.” He talks to Addy, and the phone gets passed back to her.
“Are you okay?” Addy asks hesitantly.
I take a minute to assess that question. “I think so. I’m safe where I am. I’m not coming back to Sacramento. Not as long as Christopher is free.” Sadness fills my voice. I miss my sister so much, more than I can express.
“I know, but after though, right?” Adalyn asks.
Glancing at Jack, I see what looks like storm clouds in his eyes. I don’t know if I ever want to go back there, but now isn’t the time to upset my sister more.
“We’ll see, Addy. We’ll see.” It’s notquitea lie.
Jack’s face flashes a look of pain before he quickly schools his expression. He releases my hand and turns away from me. From the fall of his footsteps, I think he’s headed down the hallway and into his room. I watch him walk away, unsure what to think of his reaction.
“Let me know if you find anything new, okay?” I ask.
“I will. I love you,” she replies.
“I love you, too…and Adalyn, tell Andrew I love him, okay?” I say.
“He loves you, too. We’ll all talk soon.”
We end the call.
Laying my phone down, I sigh. Something upset Jack, and it breaks my heart. I’m almost afraid to ask what it might be because I’m unsure of what I want to hear.
Or maybe I just refuse to admit it.
Even to myself.
Chapter 32
Igrabthebagsoff the sofa and head toward the shower. Jack comes out of his room, fully dressed this time.
“Hey, are you okay?” I ask.
He runs his hand through his hair before speaking. “I just don’t want to think about you leaving. That’s all.”
His honesty takes me by surprise, and I’m speechless for a moment because I’m unsure how to respond. “I…I don’t know that I am leaving, Jack,” I reply. “Who knowswhatmight happen next.” I give a nervous laugh.
A smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth. “I guess that’s true,” he says. “I’m going to check our community surveillance system and see if we can find that car you saw out here the morning of the fire.” He walks past me.
“Okay. Which way to the shower?” I ask shyly.
He turns back toward me. “You can use mine. Follow me.”
He leads me first into his bedroom, and then the bathroom. I’m a little taken aback at how massive the bathroom is. It has a huge walk-in shower with a rain shower head and…Ohhh, there are jets in the shower!
I do a little happy dance when I see it, and Jack sees me from the other side of the door.
