Chapter 101
Thomas looks at me for a long moment. “You put a tracker in her phone remember p>
I freeze.
Then I turn and look at him.
“You’re right p>
I pull my phone out and open the app. My hands are steady, but my jaw is clenched so tight it hurts.
The screen loads slowly, too slowly for my liking.
Then a dot appears.
There.
Her location appears to be far from the city, exactly where she thinks no one would look.
I stare at it, something cold settling in my chest.
“She’s running from me,” I say quietly, mostly to myself.
Thomas doesn’t answer.
I grab my jacket and my car keys.
“She won’t get far p>
Elaine’s POV.
I don’t realize how loud silence can be until I’m sitting in the middle of it.
For a second I just stand there.
I drop my small bag by the couch and walk farther in. The place looks exactly how I left it months ago. Minimal, cold and empty
I rub my arms.
I tell myself this is what I wanted. Space, quiet and distance from him distance from everything.
Still, I can’t stop the small ache in my chest.
I miss Margaret already and the way she presses onto my plate even when I say I’m not hungry. I miss the girls too, their teasing the noise.
And and Zane.
I swallow.
I shouldn’t miss him. I left because I was scared of him, because I don’t know what he’s capable of anymore, because last night I saw blood on him and he said he killed someone and I don’t know if that someone deserved it or if that even matters.
But I still miss the way he feels behind me in bed. The weight of him, the warmth His warmth.
It’s been a long time since I’ve been alone like this.
I move around the condo, opening windows a little to let air in. I unpack the few things I brought. Clothes in the closet. Toiletries in the bathroom cabinet. When I’m done I check my phone and see a few missed calls from Aaron and a dozen from Zane, for a moment I feel bad for Aaron I imagine Zane taking all his frustrations out on him with my disappearance, I sigh, set my phone on the bed and plug it in.
I sit on the edge of the mattress and stare at the wall for a few moments.
Tomorrow I’ll call Ivy, I don’t want to sit here by myself too long. If I think too much, I’ll spiral she can stay here with me. She’ll complain about how far it is from everything, but she’ll come. She always does.
The thought of her being here makes it easier for me so I push myself up and head to the bathroom. I need a shower. I need to wash off today’s stress.
I turn the water on and wait until it’s hot before stepping in. The spray hits my shoulders and I close my eyes moaning.
For a few minutes I just stand there.
The water runs down my back, over my chest, between my legs. I scrub harder than I mean to.
I turn the water off and step out when I’m done, wrapping a towel around myself tightly. I squeeze water from my hair, wipe a circle in the foggy mirror, and look at my reflection.
I look tired. My eyes are swollen from not sleeping properly and there’s a tension in my face I can’t smooth out.
“This is good,” I tell myself quietly. “You needed the space p>
I leave the bathroom barefoot, the cool air hitting my damp skin. I head toward the bedroom, rubbing the towel over my hair.
My phone pings when I I’m heading to the bedroom, the sound makes me jump a little. It’s too loud in the quiet condo.
I frown and walk toward the bed.
I’m thinking it’s probably Ivy. Maybe she’s asking why I haven’t called yet. Maybe it’s one of the girls
I step into the bedroom.
And I freeze.
He’s sitting on my bed so comfortably.
Like he belongs there.
Zane is leaning back slightly against the headboard, one arm resting along the top, legs apart, shoes still on. He looks like he’s been there for a whil Waiting.
For a split second my brain refuses to process it.
Then it hits me all at once.
I scream A full, scream that tears out of my throat before I can stop it.
“Jesus p>
I clutch the towel tighter around my chest with both hands, stepping back so fast my heel almost slips on the tile at the bathroom entrance and my heart slams against my ribs so hard it hurts. I feel it in my throat in my ears.
“What the hell are you doing here My voice comes out high and shaky.
He doesn’t move immediately he just sits there like a king on a throne watching me.
His eyes travel over me once, in a slow motion. Not in in a hungry way… just assessing and taking me in. Making sure I’m real.
“You really thought I wouldn’t find you? Little spitfire ” he says quietly.
My stomach drops.
“How did you I stop. The answer forms before I finish the question. “You tracked me.” Fuck why did I forget he has my phone tracked? Fuck! Fuck!! Fuck p>
It’s not a question.
His jaw tightens slightly and that’s all the confirmation I need.
“You put a tracker in my phone?” My voice rises again, anger pushing past the fear.
I take another step back, still gripping the towel like it’s the only thing keeping me safe.
“That’s insane,” I say. “You’re fucking insane p>
His gaze hardens at that.
“Lower your voice p>
“It’s my condo,” I snap. “I’ll scream my fucking throat out if I want to p>
My hands are shaking and I hate that he can probably see it. I hate that I’m standing here half naked in front of him, feeling exposed in more ways than one.