Page 141 of As the World Falls

“I guess…you’ve done worse things.”

“It relaxes me, watching you sleep. I like to live vicariously through you.”

I feel an odd tension coming from him, as if something was off. “Is everything okay?”

He nods, hardly moving. “I got a call this morning from Hodge Wiseman. Says he wants to meet. Call a truce.”

I rear back in shock. Why would Hodge want a truce? I didn’t know him well, but what I did know was that he was a slimeball, so I didn’t believe this so-called truce.

“You’re not meeting him, right? "

“I am actually. I initially denied him, but he claims to have incriminating proof against Chuck. As much as I’d like to ignore him, any evidence against Chuck is worth the risk.”

I shake my head vehemently. “No. Absolutely not. I don’t trust him. He… He nearly got both of us killed and… the men he subjected me to.” I can barely choke the words out as the harsh memory slithers over me, reminding me all too well of unwanted touches and sudden death. It was a night I’d probably never forget, no matter how hard I tried.

He stands up, quickly striding to me and sitting across the bed. His fingers tangled in mine, centering my world again. “It will be okay. I can handle myself, especially against someone like Hodge.” He exhales shakily, and I feel his need as if he’s transferring the energy between our fingertips. “I need this to be over. You’re involved in this now, and I just…I need it to be over.”

Anxiety races through me, but I squeeze his hand back, trusting him. “You have an hour to meet with him. No more than that.”

His mouth quirks as he brushes my hair, which keeps falling in my face. "Bossy woman.”

“I have to be to keep up with you.”

He lifts my hand and kisses the back of it. “What are your plans today?”

“Tobias is coming over for breakfast, and then he’ll help me move some stuff from my apartment.”

He leans in, kissing me softly. “I like that idea.”

“What time are you going?”

“Now, if that’s okay.”

I hop up from the bed, dragging the sheet to cover me. “Let me throw something on, and I’ll walk you out.” I go to my dresser and pull out a simple dark green silk cami night dress. I slip it quickly over my head and let it fall to my ankles.

I follow James down the stairs, and the doorbell rings as we reach the bottom.

“He’s a little early, no?” James remarks.

“A little bit,” I respond with a roll of my eyes. “He can never help himself,” I joke as I head to the door and open it, expecting to see my brother on the other side, but I don’t.

It’s Lance.

“Oh,” I pause at the door, confused. “Lance, what are you doing here?” His eyes fall down the length of my nightdress, and I hide myself from his sight by using the width of the door. His eyes meet mine, looking soft and remorseful, albeit a little bloodshot. Had he been crying?

“I came here to apologize to you. I haven’t been able to sleep since our last conversation and then the ordeal with my mom. Is there any way we can talk?”

The door I’m holding partially shut is pulled from my grasp and swung wide open as James comes to my side. “No, now I suggest you leave before you become Boston's next missing person case.”

“James!”

He shrugs, looking at me now. “What? I have the resources.” Then he looks back at Lance. “How did you even get past the gates?”

I roll my eyes and look back at Lance, too. “Give us a moment.” Then, I slam the door shut before he has a chance to respond. “Seriously?” I gripe.

“Are you serious? There’s no way I’m letting that man in my house to speak to you after what he pulled last time. Enough is enough.”

“I’m sorry, but that’s not your call to make. Just like I can’t stop you from meeting with Hodge.”

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