Chapter 47
It’s Saturday night, and everything that could’ve gone wrong on my trip home, did: from delays on a chartered flight, to an air traffic controllers' strike, and finally a part on the plane needing to be replaced.
For the first time, I’m actually considering taking my lawyers’ advice and buying my own plane. I’ve always thought the idea was pretentious, but after hours trying to fly coast to coast, I’m starting to see it as a necessity—not a luxury.
Right now, I’m on my way home and my heart is racing like crazy.
Will she ignore me? Keep her distance?
I’m not going to tell her anything about the conversation with Ethan. I’ll take full responsibility for having been an idiot. I don’t want to be the one to damage their relationship.
My head is resting against the passenger seat, eyes closed, while Blood drives in silence.
That’s one of the things I like most about him. We can spend hours side by side without forcing meaningless conversation.
I used to think I’d never meet anyone more introverted than me, but my longtime partner easily takes the title for antisocial behavior.
He’s always been that way, but it got worse after his daughter disappeared.
We’ve searched the world for her, but five years later, we still don’t know anything more than we did the day she vanished. I can’t imagine a worse nightmare than never knowing what happened to your child.
Tonight, I appreciate his introspection—because I need the silence.
Finally, the car stops in front of my building.
“Check the evidence on Ramon,” I say.
He nods.
On the way to Boston, I got a message from my tech guy saying there’s a new file on Lilly’s stepfather waiting for me. Nothing like the initial report I had—it’s far more solid evidence.
I get out without saying goodbye, knowing Blood couldn’t care less about my bad manners.
He couldn’t care less about anything. We’re a lot alike that way.
I punch in the code, and the darkness in the main room chills me to the bone. I know that means she’s not here.
I don’t give up easily, and before even dropping my bag, I grab my phone to look for her.
She’s probably at that Theo guy’s place, getting ready for the party. I remember her mentioning that her friend wanted her to wear a special dress or something.
After I acted like such an asshole, she probably figured I wouldn’t be back anytime soon and decided to go with him—since, originally, the three of us were supposed to go together.
I decide to call her, even though I was reluctant to do it before—I’d rather talk to her face-to-face.
I don’t even finish dialing before I spot a note on the table.
Even though I know I won’t like what it says, I pick it up.
Thank you for letting me stay these past weeks, but I’ve decided to move out. I don’t know if that’s what you want, but I think we need to talk. I don’t end things in my life the way you seem to. If this is over, you’ll have to tell me to my face.
Lilly.
That’s it?
She says we need to talk, but leaves without a second thought—just a polite goodbye?
She didn’t even tell me where she’s staying!
