Page 103 of Don't Let Go

“Yes,” I said. “I am.”

“You’re—okay?” The uncertainty in the question almost made me laugh. He really didn’t have any answers. He’d sold me out to save himself. Compromised me because fear was such a vicious animal.

Having run from that beast for a long time, I got it.

I really did.

The only thing I felt staring at Boxer was pity. Sliding my sunglasses back on, I said, “You’re out of the business. Find something else to do. Forget my name and my number. But you’re done. No more operational work for you. Shut it down, and go get another life.”

“Or what?”

“There is no ‘or what,’ because you’re going to do what I told you. You’re done, Boxer. Boxer is dead. You’re Ned Johnson from Madison, Indiana. Maybe get yourself a dog and go for walks outside. The fresh air will be good for you.”

He jerked his gaze past me and paled. I didn’t look. I knew exactly who was there.

“You can’t just tell me to quit everything in my life and go somewhere else,” Ned tried to argue and I tilted my head.

“You sure about that? Because while I’m telling you to do this, the guys behind me won’t ask. They won’t even care whyyou did what you did. You and I both know and that’s enough for me—if you get out and you get a life.”

I backed away from him, hands spread out to the sides. “But you know what,” I pitched my voice louder. “It’s your choice. Do it. Don’t do it. Just remember, I can find you. If you don’t get out, the next time, it won’t be me knocking. Consider this the courtesy you didn’t give me.”

I shrugged and pivoted to find Remy, McQuade, and Locke standing there. Locke met my gaze, but Remy and McQuade were staring past me at Boxer.

“Gentlemen,” I said by way of greeting. “Do you guys like seafood?”

“I could eat,” Locke said. “Know somewhere good?”

“Not off the top of my head, but I think we can find something… you guys up for it?”

“We just leaving this guy here?” McQuade asked finally.

“For now,” I said. “I gave him a choice. If he doesn’t listen, he’s all yours.”

Satisfaction crossed McQuade’s face and Remy nodded once. A ridiculous bubble of laughter fluttered through me.

“Who wants to ride with me?” Cause it was time to go. Time to find food. To talk to them about what our future could look like. I was the woman in the chair. But only for them.

Only ever for them.

Aware of Boxer staring at us, I didn’t hide my smile as I slid back into the car. Locke made it to the passenger seat and McQuade circled the car to give Boxer a hard stare. Whatever Boxer saw in his face made him go pale before hurriedly retreating.

“McQuade really does have a way with people,” I said as Remy climbed in behind me.

Locke chuckled. “That he does.”

Once McQuade was in, I handed my phone to Locke. “Find us somewhere to eat?”

“On it.” Then I started the car and headed back down the hill. The gates opened automatically.

“Do you guys care about your rental?”

“No,” Remy and McQuade answered in one voice. I grinned.

“There’s a place about fifteen minutes away on the water. It’s supposed to have an amazing menu.” Locke pulled up the GPS and hit the directions to go.

“Did you find out what you needed?” Remy asked me.

“I did,” I answered. “But we have a lot of other questions to answer now.”

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