“Okay, well, I’ll see you later.”I’m at the driver’s side of my car and he’s busy texting.This time, he doesn’t even bother to look up in my direction.“Zach,” I say harshly, and his head snaps up, puckering his brow.
“What did Tamara mean when she said Joel’s done this kind of thing before?”
His features harden and his lips press white, studying me in a way that suggests he’s weighing his response.
“I already told you.He harassed another tenant.”His words are measured and tone flat, and while I may not know him well, I sense he’s trying too hard to be detached.To downplay my question.
“No, it wasn’t like that.She said it right after you rudely cut the officer off from going into the details of the lab results.”
Thinking more about our entire time in the police station, I realize he was acting weird.At the time, I thought he was feeding off my tense vibes but now, I’m not so sure.
“What is it that you don’t want me to know?”Narrowing my gaze, I examine his expression for the slightest twitch or tick.
“Why do you say that?”He slips his phone into his jacket pocket and steps closer to my car.
“Stop deflecting and tell me what’s going on.”I round the hood and stop only a foot or two from him.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”Folding his arms across his chest, Zach releases an exasperated breath and I bite back my irritation.
“Fine.I’m moving out.Today.I won’t stay with someone who lies to me.”
“You’re being silly.”
“Am I?”I chuckle wryly.“I don’t think so.And just because you seem to need a refresher with the law, I’m going to let you in on a little-known fact.Tamara may be billing you, butI’mher client.If you won’t tell me what’s going on, I’ll make sure she does.”
“Why won’t you drop this?”he growls and his fists curl.
“I have a right to know.What Joel did happened to me.Please tell me.”
“Dammit.”He scrubs a hand roughly down his face.“Joel did something similar to what happened to you to another tenant.”
“Go on.”
“I cut the officer off because…” His steely blue eyes chill my heart.“He masturbated with your underwear.”
His growl rumbles low in my chest and I clench my jaw so as not to release a disgusted sob.I stagger backward, my body hits the car, and the metal takes my weight as I let what he just said sink in.Gripping my elbows, he stares intently into my eyes.
“We were watching him.I took every precaution to make sure he didn’t get a chance to do that to you.”
“But he did,” I whisper, the words cutting my throat like sharp gravel.
“Surveillance screwed up and they didn’t notice he’d left his house to go to yours.”
I feel like I’m being violated all over again and I want to scream.And with Zach here, I want to blame him for what Joel did.Logically, this isn’t his fault.No matter what Zach did or didn’t do, he isn’t responsible for Joel’s disgusting acts.
“Okay.”I push from his grasp toward my car door.
“Are you?”He doesn’t leave my side, taking my hand and turning me to face him.
“I’m fine.Before I go, is there anything else you’re not telling me?”
“No, that’s it.We’re doing everything in our power to get him behind bars for a long time.”He’s confident and I force a smile, even if only because of his willingness to help.
“Thanks.”I pull my hand from his and slip into the car.“I’ll see you later.”
My mind reels, still processing everything as I leave Zach standing in the lot.There is no one to blame except Joel Hummel.Whether or not I’d met Zach or not, or had his help, likely I’d still be in this very spot.
On the bright side, I’m out of there and Zach did help.Things could have been worse and that’s what I have to remember.They aren’t, thanks to Zach.
