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Harper: Yup. When it comes to you, that attorney does not fuck around.
Calista: You’re telling me.
Harper: I am telling you. You should’ve seen his face when he came to the Sugar Cube and saw you lying on the floor. I’m not religious, but I said three Hail Marys. That man looked like he wanted to kill someone, and it wasn’t going to be me. Anyway, when are you coming back to work? I’ll be opening tomorrow. Fuck my life.
I gnaw on my bottom lip, thinking about the travel plans Hayden mentioned this morning. As much as I want to rebel, I’m not sure I want to provoke him again. But if I don’t, then what?
Calista: I’m not sure. Hayden said he wants to take me on an impromptu vacation while he figures out who sent me that delivery.
Harper: You know, maybe getting away from all of this bullshit wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Alex finally hired two more people, and Sheryl is back from maternity leave. For once, we won’t be short-staffed. So, if you’re worried about that, don’t be.
Calista: You know me so well. I’ll try not to feel guilty about all of this.
Harper: You better not. None of this is your fault. I’ve got to run. Some asshole is trying to talk to me and I’m about to tell my economics professor he can take his syllabus and jack off with it. Talk about micro, am I right? ??
Calista: lol. Ttyl. ??
I flop onto the bed and stare up at the ceiling in a daze. Harper made Hayden’s suggestion to leave the city sound reasonable. But whenever I think about the way he ordered me to pack my things, I want to hit something. If I don’t stand up to him now, will I regret it later?
A sigh escapes me, filling the quiet. I don’t have any answers, only questions. Not all of them center around Hayden. Who took my panties and sent them to me almost a year after my assault? I shudder at the thought of someone holding onto them for this long. That’s sick.
What do they want from me? I don’t have anything of value. My family name is in tatters. I don’t have even a fraction of the wealth I used to. I don’t own anything expensive, whether that be something physical or by way of secret or privileged information. Nothing makes sense.
My anger towards Hayden lessens enough for my muscles to relax and loosen a little. He’s an asshole, but that man wants to get rid of the danger looming over me. How can I make him value my independence while staying in the shadow of his protection?
Chapter14
Calista
The last streaksof sunlight filter into the room, giving it a bronzed glow. One of the rays creeps along my face, warming it slightly and penetrating the darkness of sleep. I scrunch up my face with a yawn and my eyes flutter open, fighting the tendrils of lethargy still clinging to me.
They vanish the second I sense that I’m not alone.
I sit straight up and wait for my stitches to pain me from the swift movement. I immediately forget about my injury the second a pair of light blue eyes meet mine. Even in the dimly lit room, I can make out the concern shining in their depths.
“Hayden,” I breathe. My body tenses, waiting for him to touch me.
He nods, but remains standing at the foot of the bed with his arms folded. This man has never had a problem expressing what he wants. I brush a stand of hair away from my cheek and wait.
“I take it you rested today?” he asks.
“Yes.”
“Good. Did you pack your things? We’re leaving before dawn.”
I hold his stare, my insides quivering. “No.”
“I see.” His mild tone is at odds with the thinning of his mouth. “You’ve made your choice, then.”
“Why are you doing this? Forcing me to go with you is kidnapping, just so you know. I’m pretty sure there are laws forbidding this type of thing.”
He quirks a brow. “You must be feeling better if you’re bold enough to lecture me on the workings of the law. I can narrate this situation in a way that doesn’t make anything I’m doing illegal, but there’s no point. You’re coming with me because whoever sent you that package has an agenda.”
I shake my head in denial. “How can you be so sure someone wants to hurt me?”
“Who can predict or understand the mind of a deranged person?”
I give him a pointed look.
