Page 55 of Sin Bin Bully

Alexi's eyes soften, her hand reaching out to grasp mine. "Kim, I can get you help. We can call the police, or?—"

"No," I interrupt, yanking my hand away. My heart races, palms sweaty. "Don't tell anyone. Please."

She frowns, brow furrowing. "But Kim?—"

"I need to sort this out myself," I insist, voice quivering. I stand up, pacing the room, my fingers twisting the hem of my shirt. "You don't understand."

"Then help me understand," Alexi pleads, following me with her eyes.

I stop, staring out the window at Sam's manicured lawn. The check for two million flashes in my mind, along with Sam's words: You are free to leave.

I turn back to Alexi, chewing my lip. "He... he told me I could go. The other day."

Alexi's eyebrows shoot up. "And you stayed? Why?"

I shrug, struggling to articulate the storm of emotions inside me. "Maybe... maybe we can have a normal relationship now. Start over."

Alexi sighs, shaking her head. "Kim, there's nothing normal about this."

"I know, but maybe we can get there. I can come and go whenever I want. I think he'll be okay with that," I argue weakly.

She stands, approaching me slowly like I'm a spooked animal. "Fine. I can't force you. But if you need anything—anything at all—get in touch with me. I can always come by, okay?"

I nod, throat tight. "Okay."

Alexi hugs me, her embrace warm and familiar. As she pulls away, her eyes search mine. "Promise me you'll be careful."

"I promise," I whisper.

I watch her leave, the click of the door echoing in the suddenly empty room. The walls seem to close in, the air thickand suffocating. My chest tightens, breath coming in short gasps.

And it all starts to hit me. He broke me like he wanted. And I relented. I let him…

I need to get out. Now.

25

SAM

Sam

My phone buzzes, Joe's name flashing on the screen. I answer, anticipation coiling in my gut.

"Sam, we've got a problem," Joe's voice crackles through the speaker.

"Spit it out," I growl, pacing in my gym where I've been spending more and more time.

"The test results came back inconclusive. Some fuck-up at the lab."

"You've gotta be shitting me." I slam my fist into a wall.

"Wish I was. But that's not all. The press saw you bringing Kim out of the police station. They're having a field day, linking your name with hers and those charges."

"Goddamnit!" I roar, kicking over a chair. It clatters against the hardwood floor. "This is a setup, Joe. I'm being framed."

"Look, you need to lay low for a while. Let this blow over-"

"Fuck that," I snarl, cutting him off. "I'm not hiding like some guilty piece of shit. I'm gonna find out who's behind this."

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