“Addison is on the move tomorrow from New York,” Atlas says. “Can you intercept her, Rowan?”
Fuck.
I didn't consider her coming back to the fucking mess that’s started. My nerves wrack as I think of Addison being captured by the South syndicate. I can't even stomach the outcome as my answer rolls easily past my lips. “Yes, but you owe me.”
“Thank you!” I hear a familiar voice shout into the speaker.
“Loxley?” I ask. “How are you feeling? Need me to come knock some sense into my brother?”
There’s muffled laughter from the other end, and I can practically feel Atlas’ eye roll.
“No,” She answers. “I’m fine. Shaken up and angry, but otherwise I’m okay. Thank you again for helping.”
“It’s no trouble,” I respond. “I’ll let you know once we get back to Ohio.”
Loxley tells me she's going to text Addison to ask her to stay put until I get there. She sends me her friend’s address,and I bite my tongue to refrain from saying I already have it. Once the line goes dead and I'm left to my thoughts, there’s only one thing that comes to mind.
I’m fucking screwed.
Chapter Five
Addison
The morning of my departure, I’m a complete mess. Getting a call from my best friend saying that the very man I think is watching me has to give me a ride is enough to have me picking at my lip.
Loxley wouldn't give me the details about what’s going on, but the worry in her voice told me all I needed to know. It had that sense of dread I developed over the years from my mother circling my gut. I immediately started profiling to gauge the situation myself.
She sounded panicked, so this is something big. Loxley doesn't freak out easily.
She’s sending someone to pick me up, which means I can't travel alone.
Oh, god.
Is someone followingme?
I never told her about the run-ins with her stalker’s brother. It can't be him, so that means it's someone else…
My eyes shift to my phone, and I think about calling Mom, but she would drop everything and probably try to haul me across the country in a rush. I’m an adult now, and I don't need her fighting my battles, but it would be nice to have her opinion on the matter.
No!
No.
I’m a big girl, and she’s only going to turn this into something much grander than it is. I have the tracking app on my phone. If anything happens, she will find me.
I worry my bottom lip between my teeth as I grab mybags. Row (still don’t know his name) is supposed to be here at eight. Last I spoke to Loxley, he stopped off to sleep for a few hours. He’s been on the road since yesterday, and I don't know what to expect.
Our run-ins haven't been horrible, but they’re making that lingering suspicion return with a vengeance. My mind replays the second “chance” encounter, and my nerves only grow worse.
Bicentennial Park is beautiful, with the Scioto River lazily drifting through. The air is crisp, and I’ve just finished my morning workout as I record the time of my three-mile run.
Twenty-five minutes.
Not bad, but not my best time.
I take a deep breath and I do my cool-down stretches. My lungs burn, but it feels amazing as my body slowly adjusts to getting active again. With my job back in New York, I barely had the time to focus on my health. I used to run track in college, and I missed it. Coming to Columbus feels like a new beginning, and I finally get to take my time to settle into a new life.
I stretch out the dull ache forming in my calves and thighs as I stand to the side of the path. The sun has just risen, and I watch it over the skyline with a smile.
