Page 38 of The Fall

“Tess told me where you were going. Don’t be mad at her. You were never supposed to know I was here. I just wanted to make sure you were safe.”

I give him an incredulous look.

“It’s the truth,” he says earnestly. “I couldn’t just sit at home while you went out with the guy who lied his way into a first date pretending it was a work thing.”

I shake my head, overwhelmed.

“I’m man enough to admit it was five percent curiosity, ninety-five percent concern.” He glares at the door to the coffee shop. “Now, what did that asshole say to you?”

I take a deep breath and put up my hand. “It wasn’t him. That’s not why I’m upset.”

“Is Tate okay?” He steps forward, his brow furrowed with concern.

“Yeah, he’s with Tess.” I swallow hard, still in disbelief. “I just found out the guy who stalked me is being released from prison early.”

“What the fuck? Why?”

I wave a hand, my voice thick with unshed tears. “Overcrowding, I guess? He’s getting out on Friday.”

“Oh, Cam. Fuck, I’m so sorry.”

A sob comes from my throat as I step closer to him. He wraps his arms around me, holding me close and putting his chin on top of my head.

I don’t want to cry over Jake. I’ve shed so many tears and lost so much sleep over that bastard. But I can’t help it. I’m afraid of him. Afraid he’ll do something to one of my sons.

“What do you need?” Rowan murmurs. “Comfort food? A walk to clear your head? A trip to a gun store to buy a weapon? Just tell me and it’s yours.”

I laugh, pulling away to wipe the tears from the corners of my eyes. “The last thing I need right now is a gun. I just want to go home.”

He nods, his arm still around me. “I’ll drive you.”

“I’ve got my car here.”

He shakes his head. “I’ll drive your car back to your place and Dom can give me a ride later.”

I nod, grateful I don’t have to think about driving right now. “I’m parked in the next block.”

We start walking, his arm still securely around my shoulder. I’ll text Tess on the drive home and ask her to keep the boys tonight. I need a little time to have a meltdown and I don’t want my kids knowing I’m upset.

I’m not even going to tell Tess until tomorrow. She’ll lose her shit and start calling every county, state, and federal politician whose contact information she can find, trying to get the decision to release Jake reversed. I love her for it, but that’s not the energy I need right now.

“We’ll get through this,” Rowan says as we approach my car. “You’re not alone.”

That’s exactly what I need right now. I’m questioning myself more than ever because the man I’ve convinced myself is all wrong for me is the only one who seems to do everything just right.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Rowan

It’shell seeing Cam like this. Her smile is gone, replaced by a haunted, anxious expression that hits me like a punch in the gut every time I look at her.

“If it tastes as good as it smells, I may devour half the pan.” She gives me a half smile from the other end of her couch.

She’s wrapped up in a light-gray blanket, the pasta I had delivered to her baking in the oven.

“Hey, lemme have one of your feet,” I say.

She arches a brow. “Like forever? Are you planning to cut it up and eat it or masturbate to it?”

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