I look at Elijah who shrugs at me.
“Yeah, okay.” I answer.
“I want you to be honest with me,” she says, slowly turning towards me. “You won’t get in trouble.”
I feel the hairs at the back of my neck stand up. This isn’t good.
“Sure.” I answer, nodding.
“Have you been in contact with orseenDerrick Voss since he’s been on the run?”
My throat goes dry. Sweat beads under my collar.
I open my mouth to speak, but no words come out. Here is the moment. The moment when all truth comes out.
“Derrick contacted him once off a burner a few months ago asking for money.” Elijah jumps in, shaking his head. “Pathetic asshole. Tobias put him right in his place and told him to fuck off.”
Jameson nods her head looking back to me. “Good. That gives us some insight on his motives. He’s clearly strapped for cash.” She nods to her partner who jots this down. “I would’ve wished we could’ve traced the number he used but I’m glad you told him off. You did the right thing.” She gives me a stern nod.
I scratch the back of my neck. “Yeah…”
“I’ve read about him and what he did to you all. He’s unstable and is clearly willing to do anything to hurt you. You don’t want to mess around with a guy like that.” She shakes her head.
Oh, that isn’t even half of it.
“If you hear from him again, he’s our card. Call me if you need anything. I’m serious.” She hands me over a white card with her details on it.
I nod my head. “Thanks.”
She gives me a curt nod, before her partner opens the door and they both walk through.
There it was. My out. A chance to come clean. And I froze. I didn’t take it.
“Derrick Voss is going to get what’s coming to him, T.” Elijah says, wrapping an arm around my waist. “I won’t let him get to you.”
I close the office door, and bury my face in his neck. I need to feel him. Need to be close.
“I know that must’ve been triggering for you. I promise, it’ll all end soon,” he says, rubbing my back gently.
“How do you know?” I sniff, trying to keep the tears at bay.
“Because we’re meant to have a happy ending. That’s how this all works.” He shrugs.
I pick my head up and look into his eyes. “How can you be so sure?”
“Because I’m never wrong. I told you. Lake house. Soaking up the sun in the country. Hand feeding me grapes while we’re naked on the dock.” He smiles, pushing my head back down into the crook of his neck.
I breathe in deeply. “Oh? There’s been some additions?”
“Always part of the plan, Angel.” He laughs, squeezing me tightly.
I feel calmer already, feeling his heartbeat against mine.
It almost makes me forget what just happened.
How I lied to the cops. And Elijah. And how Derrick will no longer have his demands answered and may, in fact, act out in retaliation.
All the thoughts go through my mind and I try to push them down but there’s no use.
