Page 61 of I'm Not in Love (I Promise)

My fists are balled at my sides as Leon places a firm hand on my shoulder. “Have a good night, mate. Thanks. I’ll call you when we find something.”

Ray leaves and we settle on a plan before heading out. Leon will scout the club again. Now that he has a solid photo of the car, maybe we can make a match. Bonus points if we see the asshole who drives it. Blake and Falin aren’t thrilled about having to come with us, but I used my powers of persuasion.

Before long, we’re heading to Julie’s apartment a few blocks from campus. I notice how close it is to Ethan’s. “Is this campus housing?” I ask Blake.

“Sort of. It’s mostly grad students that live over here,” she says. “What exactly are we looking for?”

“You’re gonna go check on her,” I say. “Tell her you need notes or something.”

“You really think this girl could be in danger?” Falin asks. “I never expected to be living a shitty episode ofLaw and Orderon this trip.”

Jasper cackles beside her. “Good one.”

“Should I call her first?” Blake asks. “It feels weird showing up unannounced.”

I think it over but decide on the element of surprise. If she’s in danger, they’ll be watching her phone. “Nah, we can play it off like you forgot your phone at home.” She nods as we park a block away. “Alright, I’ll go with Blake and you two hang outaround the corner of the building. Check for any cars matching the description.”

I slide my gun into my jeans and go around to open Blake’s door. She’s chewing her bottom lip, but otherwise staying strong. I lean in and whisper, “If we see anything in there, you run like hell, okay, baby? Run to Jasper and he’ll take care of you.”

“Yeah, okay.” Her voice is a worried whisper. I pull her into my arms and kiss her forehead.

Julie’s apartment is on the ground level, easy enough to access. Blake squeezes my hand before ringing the bell. “I don’t even know if she’s here.”

“We’ll see in a second,” I say.

When there’s no answer, I knock hard a few times and Blake calls her name. The pain in my jaw draws its way down my neck and into my shoulders. Blake turns the handle but it’s locked. “What should we do?”

“Step aside,” I say and give the door one more pound with my fist. When I don’t hear footsteps, I take a step back and kick the door in as hard as I can. It flies open with a bang. “Julie!”

“Julie, it’s Blake.”

Music plays from a room down the hallway, and I lock eyes with Blake, mouthing for her to get behind me. Pulling out my gun, we stick to the sides of the wall and follow the sound. The door’s closed, but I recognize the music… It’s Nickelback. Fucking weird choice. I put up my fingers and count down from three with Blake’s wide eyes watching my every move.

At one, I twist the handle and peek inside before busting the door wide open. There’s Julie, ass naked on her back, with none other than mama’s boy Ethan, fucking her with a dildo from the bottom of the bed. They jump out of their skin, the dildo flies out of Ethan’s hand and smacks the wall, and Julie screams louder than a cat in heat.

“What the fuck is this?” Ethan yells, throwing a blanket over Julie. Then his eyes widen as he spots Blake behind me. “Bee?”

“Oh my God, Ethan? What’s going on? Julie, you’re with him now?” Blake swivels her gaze from each of their guilty faces and then around the room. There’s a camera set up on a tripod facing the bed.

“What the hell are you doing in my apartment?” Julie screeches. “Get out!”

I cross my arms and look Ethan over. He’s still in his boxers… Too bad, I would have liked to see my handiwork. I can tell the second he recognizes me. His jaw drops and his eyes pop out of his head. “You?” He points an accusatory finger. “You’re the asshole from the bathroom!”

I smile and alter my tone so I come across as playful. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve never seen you in my life.”

“Bee, are you with this psycho?” Ethan’s voice trembles.

Blake flashes me a smile and I sling my arm around her shoulder. “Yup. And this psycho treats me like a queen. Better than you ever did.”

“Why are you still here?” Julie yells. “Ethan, make them leave.”

“Enjoy him, Julie,” Blake says. “He’s all yours.”

“What’s left of him,” I say, leading Blake out of the apartment. Once we’re outside, I hold her close. “You okay?”

She releases a deep breath and attempts a smile. “I really am. I think I needed that. Now I don’t have to feel an ounce of guilt about him.”

“You never did. He’s the scum of the earth, Angel. And he’ll never bother you again.” I wrap my fingers into her hair and pull her in for a kiss. Her lips are so fucking sweet and so is the way she melts against me.

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