Page 73 of The Woman

Either way, as I lay wrapped up in Phoenix’s arms in bed, our breaths still coming out in short bursts and limbs glistening with sweat, I feel safe.

But deep down, there’s a lingering feeling that this isn’t over yet.

Chapter 30

Phoenix

With the smallest swivel of my wrist, I check my watch for the third time in the last half an hour, trying not to tap my fingers on the desk. This meeting has run a little longer than anticipated, and I’m eager to be done.

Ken finally finishes talking and gets to his feet. “Well, I better let you go. I wanted to fit in an afternoon nap with Steff before dinner. I’m looking forward to seeing the museum when it’s complete.”

I’m on my feet in the next second, ready to shake his hand and bid him farewell. “Yes. We’ll speak again soon.”

The second he’s out the door, I’m clicking on the app to try and see Avery. I scan the screen, but she’s still not visible. My eyebrows dip together. It’s been several hours now of not seeing her.

The fact that I’ve been watching her daily for the past couple of weeks could be considered a little obsessive by some, but I’m just as fascinated by her now as I was when I first found out what she was. I quite enjoy seeing her wandering around and figuring out what she will do next.

Besides that, seeing her has been like a reassurance that she’s still safe in our home. With Thomas finding out, the interaction with Jonah, and the odd comments from my father, I was feeling highly strung, like there was a threat at every corner.

Those feelings have lessened over the last few days, with everything being business as usual.

The last time I saw her today was just after I arrived here this morning. After a quick look at the camera, I had gone into my grandfather’s office to discuss a client, and now I haven’t seen her since.

I know she was angry and upset when I left for work. I didn’t let her come with me today after she’s been inside for so long, and she let me know about it.

Disappointed, I click out of the app and over to my emails. It’s possible she’s still annoyed with me and is purposely staying out of view. Or perhaps I just keep missing her on screen.

Usually, I’d watch her sit and play the piano or practice poker by herself – something I started teaching her about a week ago.

Or sometimes, she’d position herself in the sun while drawing something from her view out the window. Her drawing skills are fast improving, and if she were a man, she’d be able to sell her work easily. That thought has my lips pursing. She’ll never be able to experience something as simple as selling her drawings due to being a female. A reminder of the unfair world we live in.

Lifting my desk phone, I page through to Thomas. “What do I have this afternoon?”

“Ah, you were supposed to have a meeting with your father, but something came up for him, and he rescheduled. He’s been out of the office all day.”

“Okay, so nothing else?”

“You also have a phone meeting with Harry Picton.”

“Reschedule it,” I tell him, slipping into my suit jacket.

“Alright. Are you leaving?”

I get to my feet, holding the phone between my shoulder and cheek as I close my laptop and gather my things.

“Yes. I won’t be back in today.”

There’s a scuffling sound on the other end, and then he hangs up on me. A moment later, his recently groomed head is poking through my office door.

“Are you going home to see Avery?”

Since finding out about her, he has made a few comments to me, asking when she’ll be in next and what she does at home. I’m sure it’s his usual harmless questioning, but I can’t help the tension it evokes in me each time.

“What the fuck does it matter to you?” I snap.

“I was just wondering. I’m curious how it works since she’s, you know.” At my glare, he lifts a hand and starts backing out of the doorway. “I’ll reschedule the phone call.” Then, right before he closes the door again, he calls, “But then I’m leaving as well.”

I grab my stuff with a shake of my head and make my way down to the parking garage. If she’s been purposely hiding from me, I’ll have to think of a way to punish her. I’d say by getting her down on her knees, but I’m sure she enjoys that.

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