Chapter Thirty-Five
“Get in the car.”
He shoves me toward my door, a gun pointed at my back. Apparently he’s got friends somewhere because there was a package conveniently waiting for him at the baggage claim.
Holding his hand throughout the airport felt like handcuffs that I won’t be able to wash off anytime soon.
My hands tremble as I dig my keys out of my bag to unlock the car.
“Hurry the fuck up. I’m on a time crunch here or the money starts drying up.”
I finally get the key fob in my fingers and am able to hit the unlock button. He rips the door open as soon as the locks click and shoves me into the driver’s seat. The door slams to my left and then suitcases are being thrown into the back seat.
Connecting my phone to the car, messages start dinging, but I don’t dare open them and listen with Jack next to me. As I get onto the highway the phone starts ringing. And ringing.
“What the fuck did you do? Why is he calling you so many times in a row?”
“I don’t know, dumbass, maybe because he knows there’s a stalker on the loose and I haven’t even texted him to tell him I’ve landed.” I suck in a deep breath, realizing that I need to cool down or things are going to go from bad to worse.
“Answer then, for fuck’s sake. Make him go away.”
The next time it rings, five minutes later, I answer. “Hey, baby. How’s it going? Is my princess okay?”
I use the nicknames that I never do, including his special nickname for Lily.
“Hey, you land? Everything okay?” His voice rushes out.
“Of course! Sorry. Just got busy getting in the car. I’ll be home soon, think you could grab Lily from Anna’s? I just really want to see her tonight, so I think I changed my mind.”
I really hope he’s picking up on all the things that are wrong with this conversation.
“Uh, yeah. I thought we were going to spend the night alone.”
I wish I could sigh with relief. Cooper’s emphasis on the word alone makes me feel better. “No, baby, we don’t get to be alone. I miss my girl. I just want to snuggle her.”
“Okay. Well when do you think you’ll be home?”
“About twenty minutes. Think you could have her home by then? Maybe Wy could drop her on his way home?”
“Yeah, I’ll ask him. Might be easier if he can drop off at your house, then we’ll ride home together?”
“Yeah. I have to leave my car at home anyway.”
“Okay, perfect. I’ll see you soon, be safe?”
“Always, baby.”
I smash the button on the screen to hang up with him.
“That was sickening.” Jack scoffs without looking at me.
I don’t answer. He’s sickening. And I hate who he’s turned into.