Page 79 of Stone Vows

Ethan thought contacting Grant would be counterproductive. Our hands are tied. We have no way of knowing if she’s okay, but we can’t go to Grant without him finding out we know something, which could make it worse for her in the long run.

When my doorbell rings, I put down my beer and grab a twenty from my wallet for the pizza guy. I swing the door open to see a petite redhead holding a small child. Before I can get the words out to tell her she’s got the wrong apartment, my heart lodges in my goddamn throat.

It’s her.

Part Two

Alexa

Chapter Thirty-six

He looks at me like he’s seen a ghost. He looks down at a sleeping Ellie on my shoulder. He sticks his head out into the hallway and checks both directions before he grabs my arm and pulls me inside, pushing the stroller in after us.

“What areyoudoing here?” he asks, closing the door behind me.

I find it hard to speak, looking into his eyes. I’ve dreamed about these eyes. The eyes that can’t seem to decide on a color. His dark-blonde hair is longer than it was last year. Edgier. And his five o’clock shadow . . . He’s everything I remembered and more.

And for the millionth time over the past six months, I scold myself for leaving the hospital the way I did. For leaving him.

But I did what I had to do. What I thought was right at the time.

He sighs and runs his hands through his hair. I don’t know him well enough to read what’s behind his eyes. He looks angry. He looks relieved. He looks confused.

“Are you in trouble?” he asks, holding out his arm in an invitation for me to go into his living room.

I look around the expansive room. Oh, my God. I knew this building was in a nice area, but this is . . . I don’t even know. This is unreal.

“Kyle, do you live with your parents?”

He shakes his head. “No. I live here alone. Can we not change the subject, please? Are you in trouble?” he asks in an irritated and impatient tone.

Still distracted, my jaw drops as I look around and take in the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the city, the chef’s kitchen with oversized refrigerator, the big-screen television.

Ellie squirms in my arms trying to get comfortable, causing me to break my gaze of our surroundings. “Uh, sorry. No,” I tell him.

He blows out a breath as if he’s relieved. “Do you want to lay her down?” he asks, pointing to the sofa.

I nod and gently lay her down on the exquisite soft leather, propping up pillows to keep her from rolling off.

“What’s her name?” he asks, looking down at her. “You know, since you ran off without ever telling me that—oranythingfor that matter.”

I close my eyes in shame. I know I have a lot of explaining to do. It’s just that I still haven’t figured out how. After all, how do you tell the man you want to be with that you’re married? And that your husband beat you, demeaned you, raped you. And that you’ll always be married to him so you can protect your daughter.

“Her name is Ellie,” I tell him.

“Nice name,” he says. “I guess there were already too many girls named Alexa.”

My eyes widen in horror when he says my real name. I instinctively reach for Ellie so I can pick her up and protect her, but Kyle stands in my way.

“No,” he says. “Let her sleep.”

“I . . . how?” My heartbeat is pounding in my ears. My throat becomes thick, and tears pool in my eyes, threatening to spill onto my cheeks.

How could he know? I was so careful. More than a year and nobody has recognized me.Hehasn’t found me.

“Eliz—” He shakes his head. “Alexa, it’s okay. You’re safe here. I know everything.”

“I don’t understand,” I say, biting back the sob rattling in my chest.

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