Page 23 of He Will Come for Me

“What changed? How did you get into this life?” I ask. He inhales and turns his head to look out the window.

“Something happened the summer before my freshman year. It changed my path.” It’s all he says. He doesn’t explain further. I realize he’s not going to, so I don’t ask anything further.

Rex pulls down onto River Street and into a parking garage of a hotel. He stops at an entrance. Phoenix sits up and taps me on the nose.

“Stay with Rex. I’ll meet you two in just a few minutes.” Before I can respond, he’s out of the car and walking toward the entrance. Unease prickles in my stomach.

What is he going to do? Is he in danger? Why doesn’t he have security with him? He said last week when we were goingout to eat there, would be more security. Was that just for last week?

“He’s going to be fine, Miss McKenzie.” I meet Rex’s eyes in the rearview mirror and nod slightly.

“Shouldn’t you be with him?”

“I’m with you. That’s more important.” I disagree and I’m sure it’s written all over my face from the look I get from Rex. “He has men with him.”

I scrunch up my eyebrows. “What? I didn’t see anyone.”

Rex chuckles as he continues to climb up the parking garage. “That means they’re doing their job well.”

Huh.So, we do have security, I just don’t know who they are. That’s a relief and creepy at the same time.

Rex brings his phone to his ear. “Yes, sir,” he answers, and I know it’s Phoenix. “Alright, we’ll be there soon.”

Rex hangs up and heads up what I’m assuming is the last ramp to the top of the parking garage. He pulls into a parking spot closest to a stairwell. Once he’s parked, he exits the vehicle and comes to my door to let me out.

“Where are we going?” I ask. Despite the fact I was given no choice but to be here, excitement simmers in my veins. It’s been a long time since I’ve worn anything else besides sweats or pajamas. And I get to do something besides sit at home.

“I’m taking you to Mr. Stone. You two are having dinner at his rooftop restaurant.”

Chapter 11

Istep out of the elevator, Rex following behind me. The restaurant is busy, but not overcrowded. And it’s beautiful. There are wooden beams with glass covered in garland, and lights covering the tables. Each table has a round chandelier hanging over it and there are red bows decorating each one.

“It’s close to Christmas,” I say as the realization hits me.

“It is,” Rex confirms. I haven’t kept up with the days or months since Phoenix rescued me. I did ask him a while ago what month it was, but I haven’t kept up with it since then.

“What about Thanksgiving?” I ask. Thanksgiving was always my favorite. Especially the baking. I’d make as many desserts as I could, even if they didn’t all get eaten. The cooking part, not so much.

“Thanksgiving is in five days.”

I stop in my tracks and Rex almost runs into me. “What?”

Before he can respond, Phoenix is sliding up next to us. Rex walks away to watch us from somewhere in the restaurant with the other security that I haven’t seen yet.

“What?” he asks. I turn to him with my hands on my hips. He arches an eyebrow. “What did I do now?”

I scowl at him. “Thanksgiving is in five days?”

He places his hands in his pockets and nods. I can tell from his expression he knows he messed up. “It is.”

“So, that gives me just a few days to bake desserts? I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”

He takes a step closer to me, invading my space. “When exactly was I supposed to tell you? You’ve been avoiding me all week.”He has me there.

“You could have told Phillip to tell me. Or Clara.” He rolls his eyes as he takes his hands out of his pockets and wraps an arm around my shoulders, guiding me to a table that is reserved for us. Goosebumps breakout over my arms at the contact.

“You know I need to plan for these things. I can’t believe you didn’t give me some kind of warning.” I huff as he pulls my chair out for me. I sit down and wait for him to walk over to his side of the table, but he doesn’t move. I lean my head back to look up at him, and he’s staring at me with this strange look in his eyes. “Phoenix? What’s wrong?”

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