No one but her.
Which is why I’m convinced that she did all of this as a way to get away from me. A way to get away from her stalker once and for all.
Her words were pretty, but they were just words. If we’re ever going to work, then I need to know that she feels as much for me as I do her.
I need to know that she’sreallyin this.
Which is why I sent that text.
I tap on the phone that’s resting on my thigh and check the time.
It’s been ten minutes since I pressed send on the message that contained a picture of Gracie tied to the bed along with the address of our location, and I have no doubt that they’ll be here soon.
I don’t know what will happen once they get here, which is why I’m sitting in armchair in the corner of the room, watching Gracie sleep and soaking in every moment I can get in her presence.
Will she defend me? Will she cry to him? Will she be happy with the turn of events, or will she be pissed?
All questions that only she can answer, and she can only answer them when faced with the possibility.
We all think we would act a certain way in situations, but when the time comes, only then, when we’re faced with that reality, do we really see how it plays out.
And I hope for both our sakes that Gracie acts in a way that confirms her words.
This was the only way I knew how to test her.
It’s crazy, completely and utterly fucking insane, but that’s the only way I know how to be with her. I don’t know howto be normal when it comes to my girl. She brings out the uncontrollable side of me, and I’m beyond caring about it.
I don’t mind being unhinged as long as I get to keep her.
I hear the front door bang open, and Gracie blinks awake at the sound.
Huh.
Maybe she knows something is about to happen and her body reacted accordingly, or maybe she just felt safe with my touch and that’s why she didn’t wake when I dressed her?
Not the thing to be focusing on right now, Noah.
Time seems to slow down as Gracie looks towards me with questions in her eyes. Footsteps thudding on the stairs follows next, along with the sound of Cole’s rage filled voice calling out.
“What did you do?” Gracie whispers, her voice full of disbelief and her eyes widening with… fear?
For her? For me? For him?
Who knows.
Just as the words leave her lips, the door to the bedroom slams open, and there stands Cole, his face a mask of fury as he spots Gracie on the bed, and then his eyes turn to me.
Many emotions cross his face. Shock, confusion, disbelief and betrayal before he finally settles on his default setting.
Anger.
FORTY-NINE
NOAH
Ihadn’t texted Cole from my phone, instead opting to use the burner, since I wasn’t sure if I wanted him to know I was here ahead of time.
A sigh comes from behind Cole, an exasperated sound.
