Page 40 of GAF Factor

I turned and stormed away, knowing I was overreacting. But I couldn’t help it. I was in a pissy mood and my lip hurt. And who got poked in the eye with a cloth nose?

“Hey!” Riley shouted, running to catch up to me. “Is everything okay?”

“No, everything’s not okay.”

“I’m sorry for dragging you out here. I shouldn’t have?—”

“No, it’s fine,” I sighed. “It’s not you.”

“Then what is it?”

I saw Kavanaugh walking across the street with Bowie, returning to their vehicles. Kavanaugh didn’t look too happy, but neither was I. “I just…didn’t expect to see him. I needed some time and distance, and then he showed up and he was being sweet.”

“Ah, yeah, so you had to ruin it.”

I rolled my eyes at her. “It wasn’t just that. It was like he was trying to pretend we were okay. Like nothing had happened between us. It’s too soon for any of that. And…I just lost it.”

She slung an arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer as we walked. “Well, the good news is that you’ve just been through a horrible ordeal, so we can chalk your psychotic behavior up to your kidnapping.”

“Maybe it is because of that.”

“Then we’re not lying,” she shrugged.

“And what about your psychotic behavior? I’m not the one who stole another woman’s husband.”

“Yeah, well, the bitch had it coming. Did you see the color of her hair? She’s a bottle blonde.”

10

EVA

After driving all night,I pulled up to the gate of Reed Security and rolled down the window as the guard approached.

“Eva Owens. I’m here to see Hudson Knight.”

“Let me see if he’s available.”

“Thank you.”

I shifted nervously in my seat. After such a long drive, I just wanted to get out and stretch, but this was too important to put off for even a minute. I was buzzed through the gates and I pulled through, not sure where to park. I didn’t have to look too far. Knight was waiting out front for me. I could see the curiosity in his eyes as he stood with his arms crossed over his chest.

As soon as I got out, I felt the enormity of driving straight through wash over me. My muscles protested staying in one position for so long. Knight strode over to me, his eyes wandering over me curiously before checking out the car.

“What’s going on?”

“We need to talk.”

Those dark eyes of his read me for a second before he nodded and led me to the parking garage. I didn’t bother saying much as he let us into the building. I was too exhausted to think of anything other than what I came here to do.

Once we were inside, I realized we would not be having this conversation in private. Two other men were in the conference room where Knight was taking me. They were talking, but quickly stopped when they saw me walk in.

I recognized Sebastian immediately, but the other man was someone I didn’t know. “Sebastian, it’s good to see you again.”

“You too. Do you remember Hunter?”

I looked at the man again, and this time, I recalled seeing him around when I stayed here before the trial. That had been years ago. “Yes, I remember you. It’s nice to see you again.”

“So, do you want to tell me why you drove all the way out here to see me and didn’t bother calling?” Knight asked, taking the seat across from me.

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