Page 32 of My Ruthless Neighbor

“The witch.” I grit out. My blood boils as I read my landlady’s text. It states that she took the liberty of moving my things out of the apartment as I was MIA. I shouldn’t be surprised.

“What in the world?” River gasps. I lift my head to find her hovering over me.

She reddens. “Sorry. That was impolite.”

“It’s okay,” I mumble before reaching for the glass of water. I chug down the cool liquid, battling to process everything.

“I couldn’t help but read the text.”

I rest the glass down. I try not to picture my boxes lying outside the apartment in the narrow hallway of my apartment building. I won’t get to bid final goodbye to my place.

“Where will you go at this hour?”

The wind is knocked out of me by her question. It’s 10 p.m. I can’t move my things alone. Nor do I have enough money to go to a motel.

“I don’t know.” I force the words out through tired lips. I wasn’t ready to dwell on it. I sit straighter and smile. “Don’t worry about it.”

I lift my backpack and rest it on my lap. “I am sorry but I have to leave.”

She motions to the waiter for the check. “Wait a minute, I’ll drop you.”

My body is so stiff, I am afraid it’s going to snap like a twig at any moment. “You don’t have to. I’ll walk. It will help with digestion.” I grin but she’s having none of it.

She quickly pays, leaving a generous tip before getting to her feet.

Outside, two of her bodyguards are waiting for us as we approach her sleek black car.

“I’ll be home after dropping Summer at her place.” River tells the muscular black man in the suit.

“We are coming with you.”

He holds the back door open for us. River stiffens beside me. “That’s not necessary. I can drive. We didn’t consume alcohol.”

“Mr. Montgomery wants us to accompany you and your friend.” The other one with brown hair pipes up.

River purses her lips. “You told him I am here.”

He holds his tongue. The man gripping the back door clears his throat. “Mrs. Montgomery?”

“I am going to drop Summer off. If you two are going to stop me, I’ll just call a cab.”

“Ma’am,” The brunet glances at his partner in uncertainty.

Without another word, River moves forward, opens the driver’s door, and gets in. “Hop in, Summer.”

Hugging my backpack to my chest, I round the car and get in. The man shuts the back door and backs off as River starts the engine and pulls away from the curb into the chilly night.

“You look stunned.” River comments.

“Kind of… That was something.”

She flushes. “Yeah. I never argued with my security. It’s a first.”

“Why do you need so many bodyguards.”

She grips the wheel a bit tighter. “My husband isveryprotective of me.”

I hug my backpack and watch her intently. “Are you happy in your marriage?”

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