Page 86 of Mine to Keep

Yeah, this was going to be hard. I spun and sure enough, there was a sliver of light coming from across the room. That had to be the door.

“Legs don’t fail me now,” I whispered.

I took a few shallow hops, carefully, until I was more confident. Soon enough, I was at the door. I had to turn, since my hands were tied behind me, to grip the doorknob.

I almost cheered when it turned, and with another hop forward, it opened. There was not a sound, and I peered around the corner, relieved when I didn’t see anyone.

Maybe they thought I wasn’t going to wake up or be able to move? A few more hops brought me to the hallway, and there was an odd familiarity of this place. Like I recognized the setup but the decorating wasn’t mine.

“Oh my God,” I gasped as soon as I rounded the corner to the living room. I knew exactly where I was.

“Well, you’re far more determined than I gave you credit for.” I spun around, and there was James, a deranged smile on his face and a gun pointed at me. “Hi, Matt.”

“What the fuck?”

He laughed and walked over to me. He was so close, I could smell his aftershave and while it probably was a nice scent, it was one I’d hate forever.

“I’m so happy to finally have you home,” James said right before he kissed me.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Nick

This was a nightmare.As soon as Nicole fired that gun, someone called the police. Shep was able to drive away, and I told him to get to Rybelt and help Gabe secure Matt. I hadn’t heard from either of them. I was currently standing in front of Officer Mendez, explaining why he’d failed.

“This is Matt’s landlord.” I pointed to her dead body, where investigators were taking pictures. “James Somers, or as Greg knows him by, Lenny Harlston, is her husband. I don’t know all the details, but the two of them were in this together.”

Mendez was writing everything in his little pad and nodding. “And she came here and just killed herself?”

“Yes.”

Greg was sitting in the kitchen talking to another officer, but all he kept saying was, “I don’t understand anything.”

“Look, Officer, I’d love to sit here and tell you all the shit I’ve found out that the police failed to be able to, but I need to go find my boyfriend.”

“Hold on.” Mendez held up a hand. “I can’t let you leave.”

“You’ve asked me, Greg, and Angel, who all said she offed herself. I can come to the station and fill out a statement, but not until I know Matt is okay.”

“Nick!” Angel came barreling over much to the mingling cops’ dismay. “It’s Gabe, he got to Rybelt, and Matt wasn’t there. Darnell said Camie needed him to go somewhere, and they left out back. When Gabe got there Camie was out cold, Matt’s bag on the ground, and he was gone.”

I gritted my teeth and glared at Mendez. “I’m leaving now.”

“Mr. Saint.”

“No, Mendez. You all failed him, and I promised Matt I’d keep him safe. I won’t be another person who disappoints him. Follow me if you want but right now, you have to get the fuck out of my way.”

I didn’t wait, and the moment I left the apartment, Angel was on my heels. If the cops came, I didn’t care. That wasn’t where my priority was.

“Where are we going?” Angel asked.

“He’s not at Rybelt anymore.” I was texting Noel while answering Angel.

“Okay, so where to?”

I knew who had him; I just didn’t know where. “Hang on.” I connected a call with Noel. “Tell me you have something.”

“Shit. Well, I mean, James Somers comes up clean. On paper he’s not a veterinarian, and no, Lenny isn’t either. Nicole or Jenny, whatever she’s called, is a librarian. I called in some favors and what I did find was that the building, while owned by James Somers, has a cosigner.”

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