My eyes widen, and for the first time, I realize I could have been the dead one that night.
A secret, stupid part of me believes he wouldn’t have followed through. That on some fate-twisted level, we’re connected, and he wouldn’t have had the strength.
But looking at him, knowing the things he’s done, I know that’s a fucked way of thinking that’ll only get me killed. Because I’m no fool, if it comes down to him or me, he’ll choose him every time.
I’m not safe with him, and it’s why I have to remain level-headed as I execute my escape plan.
16
Koen
“This is the library,” I tell her, unlocking the door with my fingerprint.
The lock gives a click, and Greer looks at me. “Is that really necessary? You don’t even have your surveillance room locked.”
“I do now.”
Her swallow is audible, and she straightens as if offended that I locked her out.
It had been lazy of me to leave it open the other night. I never thought she’d wander in there, though.
While her curiosity the other night only went as deep as seeing our history together, I don’t expect it to remain that shallow. There’s too much on that computer that she could do damage with.
Too much that she can’t know.
The bedroom before me is large, turned into a makeshift library with tables on two walls and stacks surrounding them. Two extended shelves of books in the middle of the room create pathways and give the room a library feel that I know Greer is longing for.
I ignore the fact that I started building it on the day I met her. She doesn’t need to know that.
“This is… Wow, this is really something. Some of these books are very pricey. God, is this a first edition? It is!”
Standing back, I watch her move through the stacks, her fingers touching every spine as she passes. I shove the jealousy, rearing its ugly head, to the back of my mind. They’re inanimate objects…
“I thought you’d like it.”
“Did you build this for me? Because you knew I was a librarian?” she asks.
“No.” Curt and to the point.
She looks to the floor, and I realize it might’ve come out a bit too harsh, but fuck, she unnerves me.
“Anyhow. Want to see the gym?”
“I was wondering if I could see the pool.” Her eyes light up.
“Sure. It’s nothing spectacular, but follow me.” I open the door and hold it for her, turning back to lock it and thinking better of it. “I’ll leave this one open for you.”
“Oh, thank you.”
Though her words seem genuine, there’s an undertone of something I can’t quite put my finger on.
Moving ahead of her, I open the curtains that cover the sliding glass doors opposite the dining room table. I’m glad I had the forethought to string all the lights from the lanai across the pool last summer because it’s something I think she’ll love in the evening.
Not that I care what’ll make her more comfortable…
Sure, keep telling yourself that.
“Oh, you underplayed this dramatically.”
