that I’m this calm. That I can hold back this much of what I’m feeling. Except for one little truth. One small detail I’ve never told anyone.
“Only his eyes. Caucasian male with blue eyes.”
No one’s ever seen his face but me; and back then, it was only a glimpse. The details of who Marcus is choke me as I force my body to relax in my seat. It’s only to put Evan at ease. What is reflected on the outside is nothing at all like the turmoil that rages inside of me.
“Is someone with you?” I ask her, praying the security team had enough sense to take this seriously. If everything she’s told me is true, all they have is a note from a man who said he was Marcus. On paper it’s not a threat, but in reality, she should be terrified.
“They put four men on me and they have two teams on the case. One for the note and one for Marcus.”
I can only nod, words refusing to slip through my tight throat. She says his name so easily. Marcus. If only she knew.
Biting back a bitter taste, I tell her I’m sorry again and that I’m coming home. “You’ll stay with me.”
“You don’t have to do that. I’m having security—”
“You will go to my place and stay there until I’m home. Your apartment’s not safe until you get a security system. I’ll do the installation myself.” There’s no margin for negotiation in my tone and as I lean forward, my jaw clenched and lungs still, I know that’s not the tone Delilah typically appreciates. Her silence at the demand confirms my suspicions.
“Do it for me,” I plead with her, lowering my voice as I do. “You don’t have a security system, you’re in an apartment with neighbors everywhere. My place is on its own; there’s no risk and I spent a fortune on the security system.” The reasons line up in my head. It’s a mistake for her to stay in that building. Marcus could be just one floor up and there isn’t a damn thing we can do about it. “Please,” I add for good measure.
“Text me your address.” Her tone is reluctant.
“The security code is eight seven four three. Got it?” I ask her and rub the back of my neck.
“I got it. When will you be home?”
“We’re driving back now. Just twelve hours to go. I promise I’ll be there soon.”
There’s a shift between us. It’s been happening for weeks now. It’s easy to deny what’s between us when we both go along with it. But there’s no question that she means something to me and that I mean something to her.
What that is… we don’t have the time to delve into it right now. I just want to feel her, to hold her and know she’s safe.
“I’ll protect you. I promise.”
We end the call as if nothing’s changed between us, but I know it has.
I’ll see you soon doesn’t capture the meaning of what I want to tell her.
With the call over, I watch Evan motion to someone outside. The guys are ready to go. Irritation consumes me. I need a fucking moment to figure out all this shit and get a grip. Years of history come back to me. The details of a man I said goodbye to and thought I’d never hear from again.
I motion to the bathroom to Evan and he tilts his chin in acknowledgment.
When I’m enclosed within a stall, I text a certain number knowing full well if this blows up, the evidence will be damning. It’s the only number I have of his, though. And I’m unwilling to not reach out and tell him I know what he did and that he crossed a line.
You went to her? He sees the message almost immediately but doesn’t answer and it pisses me off. Someone enters the restroom as another person leaves. I need to wrap this up. You weren’t supposed to go near her.
The responding text is immediate: Neither were you.
The sounds of a faucet being turned on, a distant cough and footsteps in the men’s restroom turn to white noise as Marcus continues in a series of messages that drain the blood from my face, even as it heats to an unbearable degree.
Where are you now, when she needs you?
Don’t answer that.
It doesn’t matter.
I’ll take it from here.
Delilah
Still staring outside the window, I end the call with Cody. The phone is heavy in my hand and I