Page 84 of Mine to Keep

“I wanted to tell Matt so many times. James found out I went into Matt’s apartment once. I was trying to leave something to warn Matt.” She sobbed, the gun shaking in her hands. “He was so cruel.”

I couldn’t care less at this moment what James did to Nicole. Angel stepped back into the room.

“Gabe said he dropped Matt off at work and left. He’s going to head back. Noel said Matt’s tracker reads that he’s still in the house.”

Fuck, of all the days to forget that thing. I looked at Nicole. “Put the gun away. I won’t hurt you.”

She chuckled darkly. “I don’t fear you, Nick.” She pressed the gun to her own temple. “I’ve failed him.”

“No!” I shouted, and the gun went off.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Matt

Sleepingin Nick’s room without him on Sunday night had been depressing. I’d pushed my face into his pillow and fallen asleep to his scent. Monday had been no better—maybe worse. He’d said he was stuck there because Lenny had changed his plans.

Noel, JJ, and Mason were wonderful. Noel was in and out, checking on things and running more scans or whatever techy people called techy things.

While JJ kept me busy with his therapy, I was glad when Tuesday morning arrived. I loved this house, but I needed out.

After breakfast I got into Gabe’s car for the ride to work.

“Hear anything from Nick or the others?”

“Just that it was a quiet night.” He peered over at me with a smirk. “I’m sure Nick was texting you all night.”

He was. “Yeah, but I get the feeling he doesn’t want to scare me, so he’s being very secretive about things.”

Gabe shook his head. “Nah, he’s not like that with this. It involves you, keeping secrets would only endanger you.”

We pulled into Rybelt and before I left the car, Gabe made sure I had his number. “If you get done early, or are sent somewhere else, call me, and I’ll be here.”

I smiled. “Thanks, Gabe. I appreciate it.”

“No prob, stay safe.” He waited until I was inside and then drove off.

“An escort, huh?” Darnell joked as I hung up my bag.

“Yeah, that person, they’re getting bad. Cops still have nothing and, well, I doubt they can help anymore. Nick just feels better if I’m not off on my own for now.”

Darnell smiled wide. “I love that. He seems like a great guy.”

“He is.”

“You both have clients arriving in a few minutes; get moving,” Camie shouted from outside her office.

“Yes, ma’am,” we said in unison, earning a glare.

“Seriously, why does she own a business if she hates people?” Darnell followed me to the water station to fill my bottle.

“Money, Darnell. Money.”

He hummed, and we went off to prepare for our clients. I was just setting up when Camie came up to me.

“Hey, I got a problem.”

I spun on my heel; she sounded genuinely upset. “What is it?”

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