Page 103 of Choosing You

“I know it’s you! What the hell do you want? Yeah, I still have the letter. So what are you gonna do about it? Kill me? Is that what you’re gonna do? Over some stupid letter?”

The words spill from my mouth. I’ve somehow lost all fear and am now confronting this person, who most likelywillkill me.

“Jade?”

I almost drop the phone. I fumble with it, then manage to get a grip on it and put it back to my ear.

“Jade, is that you?”

“Garret?”

“What the hell is going on there?”

“What are you doing calling me?”

“I wanted to talk to you. Ineededto talk to you.”

“So you decided to call me at 2 in the morning?”

“I’m sorry about the time but my dad’s been with me constantly so I had to call when he was asleep. And he only sleeps about three hours a night.”

“What do you mean your dad’s been with you? He doesn’t leave your side now?”

“He hasn’t since he showed up at my room Sunday. He made me go to this big conference the company has every year down in Houston. We left Sunday night. We fly back tomorrow. But I swear, it’s been nonstop meetings and golf outings and client dinners. He never gives me a break. It doesn’t matter. I don’t want to talk about it. I’m so sorry about all of this, Jade. He made me leave with him after you left my room. And then he took my phone.”

“So have you been calling me every night?”

“Yes. I’ve been using the phone in the hotel lobby. I had to go to the gas station next to the hotel and buy one of those prepaid calling cards. It’s so ridiculous. Anyway you didn’t answer until tonight and I was totally freaking out. Are you okay? Why haven’t you been answering your phone?”

“Because you called in the middle of the night, that’s why. I thought it was a prank call.”

“You answered the phone just now like you knew who it was. And you sounded really pissed off.”

“I was yelling because I thought it was some kid playing a joke. That’s all.”

“You asked if the person was going to kill you. Why would you say that?”

“I’m really tired. I don’t even know what I was saying. Just forget it.”

“Stop trying to hide shit from me, Jade. Tell me what’s going on.”

“Nothing’s going on.”

“Is someone threatening you?”

I don’t answer. I want to tell him, but I don’t want him involved in this, especially if the mystery caller is serious about his threats.

“Jade. Answer me. Is someone threatening you?”

“Um, no. I mean, this guy called and it kind of freaked me out but—”

“Shit! He threatened you, didn’t he? Tell me what he said.”

“It doesn’t matter what he said. There’s nothing you can do.”

“What does he want from you, Jade?”

I hesitate, but I can hear the worry in Garret’s voice and I know he’s not going to let this go until I tell him. “He wants me to get rid of that letter from my mom. And not to tell anyone what was in it.”

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