Page 123 of Getting it Wrong (Addy's Rollercoaster)

“I have some distressing news to share with you.”

“Rachel?” I gulped, bringing my hand to my throat where my pulse beat rapidly.

“Your sibling is fine as far as I know.” He steepled his fingers together and peered at me over them. “There is no easy way to say this. Andy Green is dead. He OD’d on heroin last night, and his body was discovered early this morning. Collin was with him, and the police were involved. He was questioned.”

“Who told you?” I asked, tears rising to my eyes. Andy was only eighteen years old, so young, far too young. This was awful news. His grandmother would be heartbroken. Collin must be beside himself.

“I just got off the phone with Miranda.”

Blinking through the sting in my eyes, I nodded. I wanted to ask if Collin was okay, but I bit my tongue. That wouldn’t be wise, and I was trying to be wise these days while I watched and waited. Time was running out—the swell of my abdomen seemed so obvious to me.

“Collin is apparently quite distraught. My sister says she needs my help. I’m going over to her apartment.”

He wanted to chain me. I’d been free of at least that for weeks. My gaze dropped to my bare feet. “Please don’t put the leash on me.”

He rose, and his shadow fell over me. I held my breath as he stroked my hair.

“You’ve been so good. I’m hesitant to do so. It would seem to send the wrong message.”

“Whatever you decide,” I said while sitting very still.

Was this a chance? Was it possible that Miranda was only asking for Martin’s help so I could try to get away? It seemed unlikely.

“I’m going to trust you.” He lifted my chin and stroked the back of his hand across my cheek. “I feel we’ve turned a corner of sorts between us. Would you agree?”

“Yes.” I would agree to anything if it gave me a chance to be free of him.

“Very well.” He released me. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Maybe we can talk. Revisit the possibility of an engagement. Have dinner together.”

“Sure,” I said. What choice did I have?

Where would I go? Probably nowhere. But I would try. I had to try.

I resisted putting a hand over my abdomen, even though Martin had left the room. Swiveling in the chair, I heard his footsteps on the runner in the hall. I listened for the elevator, releasing a shuddering exhale when I heard the ding.

How long do I have?

I stood, my heart thumping wildly.

I had to leave a little time for him to go down in the elevator. Arturo would drive him, and Dimitri would probably remain downstairs.

My eyes widened in panic as a thought occurred to me. Maybe I didn’t have any time at all. Maybe this was just a trap, all of it a lie, even Andy’s death.

I bit down on my lip as it began to tremble. The engagement being brought up again seemed odd. Martin had me. I couldn’t go anywhere. His father was dead set against the union of either of his children to someone from Southside.

I placed my hand on my abdomen.

Breathe, Addy. Breathe for the baby.

I inhaled for three counts and exhaled for the same number.

A crack startled me. I jerked up in the air like a racehorse in response to a starting gate being raised. I realized as I dashed across the apartment and stepped onto the elevator that the noise was just ice falling inside the freezer.

Looking down at my bare feet as the car descended, I nearly cried. I had no shoes, no money, nothing. The elevator dinged and the door slid open. No one was there waiting to stop me.

A desperate sob of relief rising to clog my throat, I stepped out onto the cool marble.

“Miss,” the man at the front desk called out as I moved past him as if in a daze. “Are you okay?”

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