Page 34 of Stay for Me

That was all I needed to hear.

I pulled the phone away and ended the call.

She made a sound of protest, reaching for the device. I shifted my hand, holding it away from her.

“It doesn’t take a fucking rocket scientist to know why he’s your ex,” I murmured, taking a step closer to her. “But let me make one thing very clear. Should you decide to waste your time on him again, know this: he calls you a bitch again, his body will burn on the mountain, just like all others. Do you understand?”

Her lips parted on a gasp, and damn it all to hell, I didn’t think those eyes of hers could get any wider, but they did. A roar of laugher erupted from the house, and she turned her head, following the sound. I didn’t move an inch, staring down at her, wishing I could close the inches of space between us.

How long had they been together?

How long had she suffered his abuse?

How long had she loved him?

My questions halted when she looked back at me. “May I have my phone back, please?”

Please.

The more she said it, the more I began to enjoy that word spilling from her lips.

“Do you understand?” I repeated, my voice soft. I needed her to get me. I needed her to understand that, though I could never have her, I was willing to protect her, for the rest of my days.

She nodded then. “I-I understand.”

I grunted, placing the device back in her soft hand before jerking my head to the door and looking out into the night. “Get back inside before you freeze.”

“But—”

“Diana,” I clipped, looking at her again.

Fuck, I needed a cigarette.

She raised her chin. “Merry Christmas, Mags,” she whispered before giving me her back and heading into the warm house.

For a longtime, I didn’t move, keeping my hat tipped down, staring at the spot where she once stood.

“Merry Christmas, Firefly.”

Chapter Six

Diana

One week later. Hayden, CO.

AsIswungmycar in beside Thomas’ at the back of my office, anxiety took over, flooding my bloodstream. I was powerless to stop it. My gut felt like someone plunged a knife into it, twisting my insides. My heart was pounding, the sound thundering in my ears as I shifted the car into park. Thomas knew that I wouldn’t be coming out here today, and up until an hour ago, I had no reason to come into the office.

And yet, here I was, sweaty palms and all.

I’d been in another meeting with a client when Thomas called me, telling me I needed to get back to the office as soon as possible. My day was supposed to consist of client meetings and driving across the state to said client meetings.

Of course, I had to cancel my last meeting in the city, which also included dinner.

My cheat meal dinner.

Last week, it was my cookie, and now, my cheat meal.

I got up at five this morning to work out and drink the same protein shake I had every other day of the week. During my workout, I was fighting the urge to run harder and go faster. The soup Denver made me last week was too damn good, and I ate more of it than I should’ve. Now, I was trying not to make myself pay for it by constantly reminding myself I was allowed to indulge in food outside of my plan.

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