Page 59 of Forbidden Hearts

I occasionally glance at the door when the house gets too quiet. My heart is racing in my chest, and my legs jitter.

Suddenly, there’s a loud bang in the kitchen, and I slam the drawers shut and run back to his chair. My heart is pounding so fast, I can feel the pulse in my fingers.

“Sorry about that,” Alonzo yells from the kitchen. “I dropped a pan!”

“Fuck,” I whisper to myself, sinking my face into my hands.

???

It’s Friday night, and I’m cuddled up in my own bed at my apartment with a notebook in hand. I’m writing a list of groceries I need to buy tomorrow.

Honestly, I wish I was at Alonzo’s place, not so I can search his cabin for the money, but to have his arms around my body as I’ve gotten used to lately. I know it’s absurd, but I want to see him. Am I really under his spell?

My phone buzzes, cutting my thoughts short. I reach for it on my nightstand and read the name on the screen. A chill runs down my body when I see who’s calling. I let the phone ring a few times before answering.

“What do you want?” I ask.

“Is that any way to talk to an old friend, sweetheart?” Jacob asks. “It’s been a while since we last spoke. I’m calling to make sure you haven’t forgotten about our arrangement.”

“I haven’t forgotten,” I assure himandmyself. “Especially when your reapers started tailing me around town.”

“Well, I just wanted to make sure we were still on the same page. Have you made any progress?” I can hear Jacob smiling on the other side of the line.

“I have,” I say, pausing to consider what I’m going to tell him. I decided I’m not going to share any of the money with this asshole, so I have to be careful what I say to him.

Jacob sighs. “Jesus H. Christ. Well, are you going to tell me or what?”

“I’ve been visiting his place more frequently,” I say.

“His cabin. I know. What else?”

“Well, I’ve searched his cabin but haven’t found the money yet. And I’ve searched everywhere. The last place I need to check is his private study, but he only unlocks the door during the day.”

“When are you going to check it?”

“I don’t know,” I say. “Like I said, he keeps the study locked, so I need to find the key to the room, but it’s hard because he’s always around. I don’t…I don’t know if I can do this.”

“Let me think for a minute,” he says.

He remains quiet for a while, then finally says, “I can call him tomorrow and ask him to meet me. That should give you a few hours to search for the key to the room.”

“I can’t tomorrow. You know I’m busy on weekends,” I say.

“Jesus. Fine. I’ll call him Monday evening then, but you better be ready.”

“Okay.”

“By the way,” he says. “I’ve stopped by your place several times already and haven’t found you there. I thought you were avoiding me, but now I suppose you were spending the night with Alonzo.”

“Probably,” I say.

“How often are you at his place?” Jacob asks, sounding a bit jealous. It’s like he forgot this ishisplan.

“Often,” I admit. “I’m trying to find the money as soon as possible.”

“Well, it seems like you’re taking your sweet time. Don’t forget you’re mine, Alex.”

“I don’t think Alonzo would agree with that,” I say. I have no idea why I said that, but something tells me it’s true. Alonzo is very possessive, even with his short-term flings.

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