She knows me too well.
I grin as Carina finally lets me pass.
Emily disappears into the bathroom while I take in the room—and maybe snoop a little. She returns and sinks onto the bed, knees drawn in, still looking small and fragile.
“Angel,” I say, crouching in front of her.
She lifts her eyes.
“I think we need to escalate.”
Her breath hitches. “How?”
“Do you trust me?”
Silence stretches—an eternity in a few seconds.
Then she exhales. “Yeah. I trust you.”
I close my eyes, savouring it. When I open them, she’s still watching me.
“Good,” I murmur, squeezing her thigh. “Because I have a plan.”
33
I Wanted It To Be Over
Emily's Search History: is it normal to feel relief when your protector is violent?
Emily
It’shardtofocuson clients' problems when you’re constantly on edge, worried about someone watching you.
Somehow, I make it through to lunch without crying. Though, when Eli appears with a panini from the cafe down the street, tears do threaten to fall because I’m so grateful.
I’ve somehow, in the space of a weekend, begun to find his presence comforting.Okay, fine,I’ve felt comforted by him since the beginning if I stop lying to myself.
More texts arriveduring lunch.
Anonymous:You can’t hide from me.
Anonymous:He can’t have you, you’re mine.
Eli’s face darkens with rage. “We need to enact the plan. Tonight.”
“Really?” I ask, biting my nail. “So soon?”
“She’s already shown that she knows where we live. It’s too dangerous to do nothing.” Eli snatches up my rubbish and strides to the bin. “This ends tonight.”
He gives me a meaningful look, one that lingers, and then he’s gone.
The rest of my clients steal some of my focus away from Gia and her threats. I don’t understand. Why now? It’s been a year since I left.
Eli texts me throughout the afternoon with details on what I should do when I leave the office.
Nerves strike through me at the thought of provoking Gia into showing her face. But Eli is right. I can’t keep living my life scared of her appearing out of nowhere. I don’t want to constantly be looking over my shoulder.
So yes, the time is right.