Chapter 123
Chapter 123
Rob spluttered some more nonsense about how “it’s not that simple” and “there’s more to consider than just money” and how Chloe’s “lifestyle” was more flexible for looking after their Ma. With each weak rebuttal, Chloe’s anger shifted into helpless exhaustion. There was nothing she could do or say to make her family understand or care about what she wanted.
“ I need my own life,” she said tiredly when Rob finally paused for breath.
“ Your ‘own life‘ doesn’t involve your mother p>
Her temper flashed to life again. “Fuck you, Rob.” She hung up.
So much for happy thoughts. The relief she’d been floating on just a few minutes ago had been replaced by guilt and anger and thation. She stared
for her. He’d up at the sky, annoyed to see the sun so far above the horizon. Why wasn’t it night yet? She wanted to be with Amos. I celebrate with her. And he’d give her an outlet for all that helpless rage.
In preparation for her night with Amos, Chloe went home, necked two Benadryl, and went back to bed. There was no way she was going to be falling asleep on him again. At 7:25, she came downstairs, dressed and ready to go. Ma was at the kitchen table with Tía Carolina, Dad’s eldest and crabbiest sister, drinking coffees that they would never admit had RumChata instead of creamer.
“Hi, Tia,” Chloe said, bending for a kiss. “How are you p>
“Fine, fine,” she answered, flicking a critical look up and down Chloe’s body. “And where are you going, then p>
“To meet a friend,” Chloe answered.
“A friend,” Tía repeated skeptically, gaze settling on the tight fit of Chloe’s sweater dress and the knee–high boots and thigh–high socks she’d paired with it.
Chloe buttoned her coat up. “Yes. We’re going out for drinks.” Well, one of them would be drinking, anyway.
“On a Thursday p>
“That’s what I’m asking!” Ma chimed in, throwing out an emphatic hand.
“I have a weird work schedule. I have to find time where I can,” Chloe said defensively, even though she knew better than to engage with the criticisi She couldn’t seem to help herself.
“She can make time for her friend, but not for her Uncle’s sixtieth birthday,” Ma said to Tía.
Both of them raised their eyebrows at Chloe.
Chloe swallowed a sigh. “It was nice seeing you, Tía. I have to get going though. Bye. Ma, don’t forget to lock up tonight. I’ll be home later p>
“Later, huh?” Ma sniped.
“Yep, bye,” Chloe said quickly.
Outside, she paused at the top of the steps, exhaling a growling sigh. If it had been any other tía visiting–Martina, Cecilia, or Luz–the unexpected run–in would have been pleasant. But there was a reason Ma and Tía Carolina got on so well, and it wasn’t because of their understanding, supportiv natures. They both saw themselves as the guardians of their families and felt it was their God–given right to be critical and controlling. And when th two of them got together, they amplified each other to a stressful degree. The easiest thing to do was to pay obeisance and then flee.
While she breathed through the stress, Chloe became aware of an unsettling, prickling feeling on the back of her neck. She lifted her head, glancing and down the street, but it was quiet and empty and dark. Even so, that watched feeling wouldn’t fade. Her heart sped up and a small smile slowly tugged at her lips.
He was here.
Lhool Now I’m His – No Escape.
Chapter 123
Ducking her head to hide her smile, Chloe started walking.
She’d spent so much time imagining the endgame, but she’il failed to plan anything before that. Amos had told her to go wherever she pleased, but the only place she wanted to be was trapped in his unbreakable grip.
After a moment’s hesitation, she started towards Douglas Park. It was a long walk, through areas she wouldn’t normally traverse by herself at night. And while she would never believe that a woman’s clothing justified assault against her, she was well aware that too many men felt differently, and she had purposely dressed provocatively tonight–short, tight dress, tall boots, even taller stockings. And while her conscious mind was unafraid because she believed Amos would keep her safe even as he hunted her, the primal side of her mind rebelled against what she was doing.
As she made her way through increasingly narrow, less–trafficked, dimly lit residential blocks, her pulse began to accelerate. Her instincts were screaming at her not to be stupid, to go back to the well–lit main streets–or better yet, back to the safety of her home.
But she didn’t listen.
As she picked her way down a narrow alley behind a row of dilapidated tenements, boots scuffing through several in shadow passed overhead. She froze for a second, listening. There was nothing to hear, except the distant rumble of city clamor of car horns and sirens and a couple having a screaming fight in one of the apartments nearby. You stopped he lived around them all the time, to the point that any out–of–place noise, even a very quiet one, stood out like a thunderclap.
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