Page 33 of Tangled in Vows

This is . . . he can’t . . .

What is he talking about? None of this makes any sense.

My confusion mixes with the pain and anger still swirling inside me until my temples throb from the jumbled mess.

I open my mouth to get some answers, but Holden’s phone rings before I can say anything.

He ignores it, but the second it stops, it starts up again.

I blink and pull out of his grasp to put some much-needed distance between us. Why was I still letting him touch me anyway?

Because his touch has always made you feel better.

Taking another step back, I say, “You should take that. It might be important.”

Holden looks ready to argue, but he gets out his phone instead. After one glance at the screen, the irritation on his face shifts into something else. Something more rigid and more brutal.

“O’Neal, this better be good news.”

Detective O’Neal? A chill rushes down my spine.

There’s nothing wrong. Stop overreacting.

I watch Holden while he listens to whatever the detective has to say.

Within seconds, his entire demeanor changes. He’s getting taller. Bigger. More intimidating. More indestructible. More menacing.

I want to shake him, to demand what happened. Did anyone get hurt? Any more information leaked?

Oh my God, did they find out about Felix?

I tug at my dress. Glance at the mirror and wipe under my eyes. Making sure I’m presentable, just in case.

Stupid. As if that’s important right now.

“What the fuck, O’Neal?”

I jump at Holden’s angry voice.

His hand curls into a fist, and for a second, I’m worried he will smash his phone or punch the wall.

“No, this is bullshit, and you know it. And since when doyoucare about the rules?” He pauses to listen, his nostrils flaring. “Fine. Send me everything you’ve got.”

He pockets the phone without a goodbye and stares at me. Every fiber of his body screams he is the bearer of bad news.

“What is it?” I cross my arms in front of me to keep my hands from shaking by my sides.

Holden bites the corner of his lip before replying, “The guy who broke into your condo had proof to back up his story, so they had to let him go.”

“What? No. What kind of proof?”

The vein in his temple pulses furiously. “He had endless message exchanges with you, confirming everything he said to be true.”

Chapter 11

Holden

Day 235 without you: I made a friend, but I couldn’t tell him about you. Not about the marriage or the divorce. It still hurts too much.

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