Zach sighed, staring at Slade. He took a couple of moments to inhale and exhale then turned to his phone and started typing.
“Okay?” Slade asked him and glanced up from the screen.
I walked around the counter and looked at the laptop.
I could see Zach’s text messaging app with all the messages from Victor and Zach’s reply:
“Leave me alone you psycho.”
I bit my lip.
I wasn’t sure that was the best thing to send to a stalker ex, but this was his life and if that was what he needed to say to get it out of his system then so be it.
“And we’re off to the races,” Slade exclaimed.
“You got him?” I asked.
“Not yet,” he mumbled. “Just relaying to the cell tower. Hold on…”
I watched his screen. A bunch of code and numbers scrolled through, slowly first, then dizzyingly fast until it stopped and I had no idea what any of it meant. I was surprised anyone could actually read it.
“And we got him.”
“You know where he is?”
Slade turned to me and smirked.
“Oh yeah,” he answered and picked up his phone. “I’ve got a location. Are you ready?”
I touched Slade’s shoulder and made him look at me.
“I want to come,” I said.
“What?” Zach asked.
I ignored him.
“I want to join you.”
Slade nodded and gave Wyatt or whoever was on the line instructions to wait for me.
I walked into my bedroom, in the closet, opened my safe and got my handgun out then ran out but stopped at the front door when I felt Zach’s hand on mine.
“Dare,” he whispered and I turned to face him.
He looked small, so small in that moment. Small and fragile and I wanted nothing more than to stay here with him, take him in my arms, and make him feel strong and precious. To make him feel safe again.
But I wanted to get that bastard that had caused Zach so much anguish. I needed to see his face beaten to a pulp. To see him disappear from this world so that Zach, my Zach, could feel safe in his skin again.
“Yeah,” I whispered back.
“Be careful please.”
His eyes were big and needy and his lips plump, mine for the taking. I wanted to kiss him. To claim him. To make him mine. But I couldn’t. Now was not the time. It never would be. I couldn’t have him. I couldn’t have anyone ever again even if it felt like my resolve was breaking apart.
I had to be strong.
I was only just starting to pick myself off the ground again. I couldn’t risk sinking back into it.
