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“I don’t want him to hurt you anymore.” He petted Millie more erratically. She burrowed her head deeper against his lap.
“He won’t. We’re going to be okay.”
“Because Lincoln won’t let him get to us.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Lincoln
“You’rethe last person I expected to hear from.”
Zegas propped his feet on his desk and put his hands behind his head.
“You said you needed to speak to me.”
“But you’ve been pretty occupied. Understandably so.”
I drummed my fingers. Lexie was a beautiful woman. It was impossible not to notice, but I didn’t like that Zegas had.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake. Lighten up. I’m unhappily married and no threat to you.” He dropped his hands and groaned. “Don’t tell me you two are already having a spat.”
She and I had started our relationship arguing, and the one that’d had me storming out of the apartment wasn’t all that monumental. I’d left because I’d confessed too much, too soon and couldn’t stand to face her reaction.
“What is it you want to discuss?” With my behavior recently, if I didn’t steer us to pertinent topics, I’d end up on Zegas’s couch for a therapy session, baring my soul.
He put his feet back on the floor and actually appeared a little apologetic. “What do you remember about your mother’s murder?”
How did he know I’d witnessed it?I didn’t think anyone knew.
It was too late to stop the torrent of memories I couldn’t unsee. I gripped my knees, willing them to go away at least until I was alone.
Late.
I ran from the school to the deli as fast as I could.
The fire alarm had gone off right before the end of the day. I’d tried to sneak away so I could be early for Mother like I was supposed to be, but Mrs. Lewis kept watching the class.
I checked my watch.
Five minutes late.
Which was really twenty-five minutes late. I’d begged her to meet at the deli after school, promised I could make it by myself. It wasn’t far.
When she tells you a time to meet, always be twenty minutes early. Don’t forget. Not even when you’re my age.
I wasn’t supposed to make her wait. Father would be angry when he found out.
The deli came into view. Mother was loading the car with supplies for the picnic. She always had fun ideas. Like a dinner picnic on a school night.
I should sit between Beau and Father so he won’t be mad when she makes a mess. She always makes a mess.
Mother closed the back door of her Cadillac.
Almost there.
I ran faster as she bent over Teague, who was in the front seat. He always sat there, but I didn’t mind.
Someone came up behind her. The person was tall and slender and dressed in all black.It’s too warm for a long coat.
