Page 100 of HateMates

“She wasn’t the one. She wasn’t perfect like you.”

Tears rush down my cheeks. “I’m not perfect either. I’m just a person—”

“Don’t say that.”

“But I am. I don’t want this. I don’t want you—”

“Enough!” His chair flies back as he stands. “It seems you’re still not ready.”

I’m up just as quickly, my defenses on high alert. “What are you doing?” I back up as he storms toward me. He grabs my upper arm. With my free arm, I close my fist and take a swing at him, but I’m too weak. He slaps my hand away as his fingers dig into my wrist. I realize he’s dragging me back upstairs. “Vince, no. Please. Don’t put me back in there. I’m sorry. I’ll behave. Let’s finish lunch. I promise—” He shoves me into the room, and I trip, falling forward. My hands help cushion my fall, but I still crash to the floor, grunting out in pain. The clicking of the cuff echoes, followed by the slamming of the bedroom door.

Chapter twenty-six

Tate

Tick… tick… tick…

Every second that passes is like a pounding drum in my chest. We’ve been at it for hours. Every time we find an outlet, it’s a dead end. I’m not sure how much longer I can last before I lose it altogether.

Tick… tick… tick…

“We’re wasting time,” I say, like it will make a difference. My mind is a mess. The sold house route was a bust. We’re waiting for the bank to open to get clarification on the pending charge on Vince’s card. It could be the lead we need. I stare at all the intel taped to a board. Nothing makes sense. I’m starting to crash. I push myself to fight through my panic and continue to fight. Find a new path. “Where the fuck are you?” I ask to the photo of Mindy pinned in the center of the collage.

A hand rests on my shoulder, and I look behind me at Fay. She hands me a cup of coffee. “You look like you could use this.”

“Thanks,” I mutter, accepting it. I look back at the wall.

Fay moves to stand next to me. “I stare at all this, thinking I’ll be the one to get lucky and figure out this puzzle. Something will make sense. I’ll find a clue no one’s seen before.”

“He’s stumped us all.”

“Do you think…” she starts, and I look down at her, her eyes filling with tears.

“I think she’s strong. If I were Vince—or Paul, I’d be more afraid of what’s coming when we find him. She's probably giving him a run for his money.”

Fay chuckles, wiping at a tear. “She’s probably gothimtied up, making him watch reality TV or lecturing him on proper taco toppings. She saw a man ask for mushrooms on his tacos once. Lost it right in the restaurant. Made sure the guy knew he was a disgrace to taco eaters. Of course, it got us kicked out. But you just don’t mess with a good taco, ya know? Like, who putsmushroomson tacos?”

I rest my hand on her shoulder as she wipes away more tears. “She’s a fighter. So are we, and we won’t stop until we get our girl back.”

Her gaze locks with mine. “You love her.”

“So fucking much.”

She wipes away another set of tears. “She loves you too, ya know.”

The magnitude of her words cut deep. Mindy’s words at the cabin rush back.

“I love you. What? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Doesn’t seem like nothing. Thought we were having a pretty nice time, then I tell you I love you, and—”

“Stop. Just don’t.”

“Stop? Stop what? Telling you how I feel?”

“You know damn well that’s not how this story ends.”

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