“I am your boyfriend, and you are coming back to Vegas. If I have to gag and tie you up to get you there, I will,” he grunts.
The idea of him tying me up isn’t totally unappealing. But having him order me around? Yeah, that’s not happening.
“I’m not your pet, Emmanuel. You can’t just bark orders at me. I have a life of my own.” The ringing of my phone interrupts our argument. I snap it up off the coffee table. “Rachel, now’s not a good time,” I answer when I see my friend’s name on the screen.
“You hear about Amy?” she asks.
“No. What about her?”
“There was another fire. At her house. Two bodies were found inside,” Rachel says.
“What?” My eyes go to Emmanuel.He wouldn’t.But before that thought leaves my mind, I know deep down that he absolutely would.
“I’m not sure what’s going on, Evie, but it mightbe a good idea for you to go and visit Charlotte for a while. Get out of town.”
“Yeah, I think I might,” I whisper into the phone. “I’ll call you when I get there.” I hang up and stare at Emmanuel. “What did you do? Actually, don’t tell me. I already know too many of your crimes. I don’t want to add another one.” I bring my phone back to my ear and call Charlotte.
“Hey,” she answers.
“Hey, you got time for a visitor for a week or so? I think I need to get out of town for a while, get my mind off everything,” I tell her.
“I always have time for you, Evie,” she says. “And I’ll have a room for you. Oh my god, it’s going to be so much fun. Want me to book you a flight? When are you arriving?”
“I’ll book it.” I laugh. “I’m not sure, but I’ll let you know when I’m getting in. Thanks, Charlotte.”
“See you soon,” she says.
“I’m booking a flight to Vegas. I’m going to be staying with Charlotte. And you and I… this isn’t a thing in front of anyone,” I tell Emmanuel.
“You’re not booking a flight. We have a jet. And as for staying with Charlotte, I’d prefer you to come home with me,” he says.
“I can’t go back to your house, Emmanuel. I watched you kill your own mother. I can’t go backthere,” I tell him quietly. “All the guns, it’s just… I don’t like it.”
Emmanuel looks at me silently, appearing to consider his next words. “Okay. You will stay with Charlotte, and I’ll go along with this wholewe aren’t datingbullshit you’ve cooked up. For now.”
“Thank you.” I sigh in relief. I don’t know why I’m not ready to tell Charlotte, probably because she will try to talk some sense into me. Whereas Rachel is a diehardlove conquers allkind of girl.
“Pack what you need,” Emmanuel says before sitting on the sofa. He pulls out his phone and starts scrolling.
I don’t know what it is, but something feels really unfinished about our argument. Or maybe it’s the fact he’s getting his way. I’m going back to Vegas.
About an hour into the flight, I feel it, the tiredness catching up with me. It always starts with dizziness. Not now. I cannot fall asleep here.
“E?” I call out, my voice wobbly as I reach for his seat.
“What’s wrong?” He’s on his feet and in front of me within seconds.
“I think I’m going to crash out,” I tell him. Myeyes are wide. “I can’t fall asleep here.” Now I’m panicking.
Emmanuel picks me up and carries me into the bedroom. He lays me down and curls up next to me. “You are safe here, Evie. You can sleep.”
“I can’t,” I say, already knowing I’m losing the battle. “Don’t let anyone in, please.”
Emmanuel holds me tighter. “No one is ever going to get to you. I promise. I will be right here when you wake up.” His lips press against my forehead, and then I feel my body relax.
I wake with a jolt. My eyes spring open. A pair of strong arms wrap around me. “It’s okay. I’ve got you,” Emmanuel whispers into my ear. “It’s just the jet landing.”
My body relaxes slightly, but I do a mental take of every part of me. Trying to see if anything hurts. My hands run over my jeans. They’re still on, and I sigh. Emmanuel’s arms loosen their hold on me, and he slides off the bed.
