Page 102 of Rush of Jealousy

“Then how do you even know I am talking about the same Paul?”

“Because when Monica got drugged, I went to see her at the hospital to see how she was doing. She told me Paul was the one who supposedly helped her get medical help. Basically saved her from being assaulted. But you knew all of this already.” His eyes look at me with confusion. “Because I saw you enter her room to ask her questions after me.”

He opens and then closes his mouth as he puts the pieces together. The genuine shock on his face lets me know that he was clueless that I was there prior to his arrival. Monica must have kept that information to herself.

“My friend Resa was chased one night after leaving the Smoothie Cafe. She may not even return to school.”

His eyes narrow. “What aren’t you telling me?”

Shit. He knows I’m hiding something. “That’s all I know.” It is a half-truth. Because what I discovered at the frat Halloween party is all speculation. I don’t need any more interference in getting to know how Paul fits into this big drug scheme.

“Quit lying.”

“I’m not lying.”

Graham’s snarl rattles my composure. “You don’t get it, Angie. I have Collins monitoring your phone as we speak. I have men back at home working at figuring out the missing puzzle pieces. You have fucking texts coming in from Zander. And from this frat boy Paul. I know what Zander wants. But why is Paul texting you?”

“Probably because I applied for a job at the smoothie shop he works at.”

“Why did you apply there of all places?”

“Because you fired me! Remember?” I snap, tossing my hands into the air in frustration. “Because I actually need a job if I want to pay bills. Because I actually like having something to do with myself other than go to classes or be spread eagle in your bed.”

He glares at me over the last part. Good. Maybe he will finally get the point that I have a brain, and it is one I plan to keep using.

“Are we together?” he asks boldly.

“Yeah, we are.”

“Then no girlfriend of mine will ever work at a cafe making drinks for minimum wage. You are better than that.”

“What an elitist thing to say!”

“You have an entire benefits package that you can still utilize through Entice despite being laid off—notfired. I didnotfire you.”

“Semantics.”

“That’s not the point. You don’t need to worry over your bills anymore. Whatever debt you are carrying, I’ll wipe clean.”

“I don’t like going through life with IOUs.”

His eyes level with mine. “You will never have to pay it back—even if something happens to us—the money is yours to keep.”

“Graham, I know you are trying to do something nice. But you really need to understand that you use money to gain control. We keep doing this back and forth dance over my need to hold on to my free will. I will relinquish many things over to you, because you have made it clear your need for that is like air, but I have to make my own money. Thus, I need a job. So either accept it or get ready to go to battle over this one. I am not budging.”

He runs his fingers through his hair, and I can tell he is visibly stressed. He is about to argue, but he sighs and looks down at his pocket again. He wrenches out his phone, hitting the answer button and shoving it to his ear.

“Hoffman,” he snaps. “Yes, you can. I need you to pull the archived footage from Saturday. I’ll be back in town by midday tomorrow. I suggest that the team starts with the first layer of analyzing. Run anything concrete through the software to be thorough. Try to get credit card records. Be prepared for a briefing late afternoon, five sharp. Yes, all hands on deck.”

I watch as Graham’s posture straightens and his jaw clenches as he listens to the person on the other line. I use this delay to gather enough willpower to stand my ground. I am so deep in thought that I lose focus and realize that my name is being said.

“Angie? I am talking to you.”

“Sorry, what?”

“Where did we leave off? Oh yeah, you agreed to let me take care of you. Including debts.”

“I never agreed to that. But I do remember you agreeing to tone down your cranky controlling ass long enough so I do not freak my shit and bolt before you even enjoy me being your girlfriend.”

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