Page 113 of Unbroken

“You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me,” I muttered as I swiped through the rest of the pictures. She took her phone back and tossed it into her bag, and I ran a hand through my hair before dropping my hands and clenching them at my sides.

“I’m sure you get it now,” she muttered, motioning to the punching bag. Reed approached and took the gloves Blakely offered him with a cautious and curious smile.

“What’s up? I’m always happy to let you use the gymwhenever you might need it, but I have a feeling there’s a reason this time.”

Blakely retrieved her phone once again and handed it to Reed.

While he looked at the photos I’d just seen and the other guys walked over to us, I opened my arms for Blakely, who stepped directly into my embrace. We were both covered in sweat, but neither of us cared. She pressed her cheek against my shoulder and wrapped her arms around my waist.

“You’re shaking,” she whispered against my neck. She was right, I was shaking, but I hadn’t realized it until she pointed it out.

Our friends, now gathered around Reed, who was still holding Blakely’s phone, looked up at me in unison.

“Because I’m furious,” I admitted. “And I’m so fucking sorry, sweetheart.”

“You already talked to the police?” James asked. I kissed her forehead and smoothed a hand down her back as she turned toward them. Having her in my arms, even for a moment, did more for my frayed nerves and palpable anger than anything else would have.

“Yeah, I called the local detective who updated the detective in Colorado Springs. They took the flowers as evidence and reiterated that they’re doing their best. And that I shouldn’t stay by myself, although they’d try to find the resources for a cop to watch my house twenty-four-seven if I wanted to.”

“Like Devon would let that happen.” Luke chuckled. Out of everyone, he knew better than most how I was feeling. He and Hazel had been stalked and made to feel terrified. At least they’d known who it was, though.

Blakely’s stalker remained nameless and faceless. It could have been anybody, and we wouldn’t have known.

It was no wonder Blakely had kept herself locked up in my house for the past two weeks. She only ventured out when I waswith her, and whether she realized it or not, she also stayed away from doors and windows when she could.

This unknown person had radically changed her life in only a few calculated moves.

Blakely peered over her shoulder at me with a small, appreciative smile poised on her lips. “I know,” she said quietly.

“You know you can ask us if you need anything, right? We’re here for you, Blake,” Josh said. They all agreed immediately, and Reed handed Blakely back her phone.

“We’re doing Sunday dinner next week at our place,” James said. “Y’all are both coming, right?”

He’d mentioned earlier that they wanted to host, especially since we hadn’t found the time to get together again since they showed up unannounced at Blakely’s. But I hadn’t wanted to tell him yes or no until I talked to Blake. I wanted to leave it up to her.

“Yeah,” she answered immediately. “We’ll be there.” Then she turned to me. “Well, unless you have something else?—”

“Nope.”

She nodded. “Yeah, we’ll be there.”

“Good,” he said. “I’m gonna hit the showers and then head home.” The others agreed and said their goodbyes, promising to see us on Sunday.

“Do you need another round with the punching bag, or should we leave too?” I asked, and she cracked the smallest of smiles.

“My anger has dissipated for the moment. Now, I’m just fucking tired. Being angry really takes it out of you.”

I reached forward and tucked a hair that had fallen from her bun behind her ear and grazed her cheek with my thumb. More than I needed air, I needed to feel her lips against mine.

FIFTY-ONE

Devon

“Let’s go home,”I whispered against her mouth, and she nodded instantly. “I caught a ride with Luke here, so I’ll drive with you.”

“You can drive,” she said, tossing me her keys as she grabbed her bag. “I’m still too wound up to drive myself.”

Hand-in-hand, we exited the gym. As I had for the past two weeks, my gaze swept across the parking lot, glancing into the windows of each parked car and between them where I could see.

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