My eyes scan the subject line.
Automatic Update. Case 22CF521
I let out a long breath. Vine is the Victim notification service I signed up for when I left my idiot ex. After he was sent to prison.
My hand shakes as I click on the link inside the email and it takes me directly to the website, to his case history. And I see the latest update.
Probation Hearing Scheduled.
The date is in two weeks. I close the email as quick as my fingers let me. God, I shouldn’t have looked.
He can’t hurt me. Not anymore. But I still hate the thought that I won’t know where he is if he’s let out.
Safely locked up and far away from me.
And anyway, I’m not the scared lonely girl I was when I met him. I’m a business owner. I have friends. I feel strong. It’s going to be okay.
But damn, I could do with a good book to take me away from this all right now.
seven
ZACH
I run my thumb over the embossed title on the book cover, thinking about the scene I just read. Jesus Christ, this story is filthy. I’m only halfway through and I swear I’ve had a hard-on since I stole the damn thing.
The worst part? She’s annotated it. In pencil. And reading her thoughts fascinates me.
Her comments are sharp and curious. Sometimes funny. I’ve just reached one where she’s written two words in the margin, all caps.
YES PLEASE.
Fuck my life. I’m never going to look at her the same way again. Especially after seeing her run the other morning. After touching her wrist and watching the way her pulse jumped. Knowing why.
A better man would feel guilty for taking her book without asking. For knowing something she doesn’t. For thinking what I’m thinking, imagining hunting her downlike Red, hearing the rapid beat of her heart. Smelling the fear, knowing it’s all wrapped up in desire.
The problem is, I’ve never been a better man. And it’s distracting me from all the things I should be thinking about. Maybe that’s a good thing.
My phone buzzes, cutting through the heat. I put the book down on the desk in the corner of the apartment, and pick up my phone.
“Hey Larry,” I say. “How’s it going?”
“Good.” He sounds upbeat, and that makes me happy. “A letter came for you. It looks official. Want me to open it?”
I blink. “Official how?” Most of the business mail goes directly to my accountant.
“It’s from a university.” He pauses. “A Medical Center I think.”
I swallow hard.Fuck, I forgot to change my address. “No,” I say quickly. Too quickly. “Don’t open it. Just forward it to me here.”
“You sure?” he asks, sounding surprised at my sharp tone.
“Yeah. All good.” I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself. “Everything else okay?”
“Yep. Sold a piece yesterday,” he says, sounding proud. “And I sent some emails about the insurance case.”
“Great.” I nod. “Thank you. For keeping everything going.”