Page 93 of Shattered Hearts

“Dr. Solis, this is Zane Maddox. No, she’s fine. No, no. I’m calling to let you know I’m releasing Zarah from your care. She’ll no longer be seeing you.”

A pause.

“It has nothing to do with you. After the past eighteen months, we’re heading in a different direction.”

Another pause.

“I’ll compensate you through the end of the month. Happy New Year, Dr. Solis.”

He disconnects without waiting for her to respond.

His shoulders tense, he connects to another number. I wish he’d do this in the truck. I’m freezing my ass off.

“Zarah, you’re not seeing Jerricka anymore. I just fired her.”

Her panicked,“Why?”is loud and clear.

He winces. “Because Davenport says so, that’s why. We’ll talk about it later. I’ll be home for dinner. Let Lucille know.”

As soon as he disconnects, my phone starts ringing.

“She’s your problem now.” Zane sighs. “I need a break. I really, really need a break.”

I bite off my anger. I’m grateful he thinks he can trust me, but dumping Zarah on me like a stray cat isn’t the answer, either, no matter how much I love her.

“That was shitty. In her state of mind, she probably thinks she did something wrong.” I answer her call. “Hey, sweetheart. No, he’s not mad at you. We were doing some digging thismorning about Quiet Meadows and what you and I found there—”

She squeals, hurt. “Did you show Zane the video?”

“No, I didn’t. I said I wouldn’t. We went to see Iona Belsely. She said a few things about Jerricka—”

“What? Gage, you have to tell me.”

She’s near tears and it breaks my heart. “We will. She’s working with a doctor who used to run drug trials at Quiet Meadows. We don’t think it’s a good idea for you to see her anymore. She might be connected to some bad shit.”

Zarah’s breath hitches. “But—”

“You saw her yesterday, didn’t you? Did she seem off to you?” I settle Baby in the extended cab and turn on the truck. The vents blast cold air.

Zane sits and scrolls on his phone. I wish he wouldn’t have upset Zarah this way, but that’s Zane, I guess. To the point, unaware his bluntness is hurting anyone. He doesn’t have time to dick around and worry about people’s feelings.

“No, I don’t think so. Sometimes my sessions are harder than others, and yesterday was one of those times. I hadn’t seen her for a few weeks because of the holidays, and we talked about some heavy things.”

I’ve never been in therapy, don’t understand how it works. Paying someone to listen to you talk about your problems has always seemed like a rich man’s luxury, but Zarah’s going through a lot of issues, trying to put away what Black did to her, trying to feel her way around our relationship. I can’t judge her and say she doesn’t need therapy. It could be the only thing that’s been saving her life since Zane brought her home from Quiet Meadows.

“Are you okay? Do you want me to drive out?” I want her to say no and push back the guilt. I have an appointment to talk to Savannah and Meredith’s mother and I might already run late. Ihave to drop Zane off at his office and then I’ll have to drive like hell across the city.

“Stella’s here. I’m okay. I was just scared I did something that made Zane or Jerricka mad at me. She didn’t tell Zane she didn’t want to see me anymore, did she? Zane fired her?”

“Zane fired her. There’s nothing you need to worry about. We’ll find you someone else. Someone not connected to Quiet Meadows. We’ll look together.” I shoot Zane a look that says, “You did this, so now stay out of my way.”

He arches an eyebrow and shrugs.

“Okay. I like that. You and me looking together. Maybe you can go to some sessions with me?”

Fuck. I walked right into that one.

“Whatever you need me to do, sweetheart. I’m dropping your brother off at work, then I have an appointment. Can I call you later?”

---