Page 46 of Release Me

“I knew this job was best for you.”

Why did I even bother with hope? I should have known better, should have been prepared for him to reach for the example that’s literally right in front of his face.

I shrug, trying to appear nonchalant. “I was broke and in desperate need of a better job. Anyone with eyes could see that.”

He huffs out a dry laugh. “Right. And anyone with eyes could also see that the apartment buildings you’re looking at won’t provide the kind of security you need to feel safe.”

“You looked at those brochures for all of three seconds, how would you know what those buildings have to offer?”

“Because I own them.”

I throw my hands up in exasperation. “Is there anything in this town that you don’t own?”

Sebastian glances heavenward, giving me the distinct impression that he’s doing a mental run through of his real estate catalog. “The motel you’re staying in now.”

“Makes sense. It definitely feels a little too low budget for you.”

“It’s a little too low budget for you as well.”

His eyes skate down my frame, taking in the sleeveless blazer dress I’m wearing. It’s sky blue with gold buttons holding together the tweed fabric that’s just long enough to cover the scar on my leg. I paired it with pearl earrings and a pair of slingback pumps from Dior with a four figure price tag. It’s safe to say that I’ve been putting my clothing allowance to good use, but that’s not the point Sebastian is trying to make.

“Yeah, well, it was all I could afford at the time, and the buildings I’m currently looking at are the only ones with openings in the next month.”

“They also don’t have doormen or building security.”

The fact that he knows how much the additional layers of security mean to me makes my chest feel all warm and fuzzy. I kind of hate it.

“I know, but I can’t wait six months for a unit that meets my exact needs.”

“You don’t have to. I can get you in to see some places you’d actually feel safe in as soon as tomorrow.”

“Sebastian, no.” I shake my head, grappling for the words I need to explain that I can’t be on the receiving end of another act of kindness so soon. “You don’t have to do that.”

“I know I don’t have to.” He pulls out his phone and starts tapping on the screen, wearing that same mask of concentration he had on when he solved my tech problem. “I want to.”

“You’ve already done enough.” You’ve already done too much. That’s what I really want to say, but I can’t because I’m too busy crossing the room to cover his phone screen with my hand. He looks up at me, surprise and maybe some confusion etched into his features. “I appreciate the offer, really, I do, but I want to do this on my own, okay?”

Reluctance casts a dark cloud over his features, but he nods his acceptance. “Okay, but I’ll be here to help when you need it.”

18

NADIA

When.

At the end of our conversation about my apartment hunt, Sebastian said he’d be there when I needed him, not if I needed him. It takes me multiple failed apartment visits and damn near the whole month of August to realize his word choice was deliberate. That he knew I was going to need him because the real estate scene in New Haven is a hellscape, and he, apparently, is its dark master.

Within twelve hours of me caving and asking him for his assistance, I’m standing in the middle of an immaculately decorated penthouse in one of the safest buildings in town with Sebastian and his personal realtor in tow. We’ve seen several places over the course of the morning, but this by far is my favorite. The high rise building is just two blocks from Cerros, so I can walk to work every morning. There’s a doorman, security, a gym, and a grocery store that takes up the entire second floor, in addition to two units on the penthouse floor.

“It’s perfect,” I gush, unable to contain my excitement or hide my smile even though Sebastian has the smuggest grin I’ve ever seen on his face.

“I told you I was saving the best for last.”

“Shut up.” I shove his shoulder with my hand, and he laughs, looking at me the way he always does when I touch him. Physical touch became something of a necessity for our relationship when I had to regularly take time out of my work day to cover up his bruise. Every morning for over a week, Sebastian would report to my office as soon as he got in, and I’d stand between his long legs, using my hard won makeup skills to hide the evidence of the violence he committed in my name. The bruise is long gone and the cut on his lip has healed, but the familiarity between his body and mine is still there.

We both feel it, and in moments like now when I’m not as guarded and he’s not as cautious, it comes out, pushing its way to the surface and daring us to stomp it back down.

I avert my gaze, turning my focus to the realtor, Nikki Washington. She’s been giving us weird looks all day, like she’s trying to figure out what we are to each other. We’re too friendly to just be the colleagues Sebastian told her we are and too distant to be the couple the hand he places on the small of my back when we’re navigating hallways suggests we might be.

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