Page 117 of Prey for You

“Sam’s not a monster, Jeremy,” I said more calmly than I’d said anything else. But I locked eyes with him and let him see how serious I was. “You and Sam… you’re both comfortable in the dark. The only difference is what drives you.”

He scoffed. “Me wanting to do what’sright,and him wanting whathe wants?”

“No,” I insisted. “You wanting to make yourself look like a hero, and him just caring aboutme.”

“Dear God, you really believe that, don’t you? It’s not just an excuse?” He stared at me, wide-eyed like I’d stunned him. “Bridget, if all I wanted was to be a hero, do you think I’d be out here in the pig’s ass of nowhere waiting for you?Alone?”He pointed off into the distance. “That asshole doesn’t give two shits about you. He’s waiting to get what he can out of you, thenhe’ll show his true colors and thenwho will be there to pick up the pieces, Bridget? Again.”

I shook my head spat through gritted teeth, but the fear jangled through me. “No, that’s not—”

“Holy shit. Have you forgotten that finding and removing criminals isliterallymy job? I am an actualexpert.He’s a fucking criminal. By every definition.”

“By legal definition, so am I. But he’s helping me. Why is that a crime?”

“Because he tried to fucking kill you!” he bellowed, his face turning red.

“No, hedidn’t,”I shouted back. “That’s what you refuse to believe. You think I don’t know the difference, Jeremy? Me!?”

“You didn’t with the last guy,” he snapped and my whole body wenthot.

My hand shot out and I slapped his face, the crack of it echoing across the trees. Jeremy’s head snapped to the side and he brought a hand up to rub his jaw, but I didn’t give two shits if I’d actually hurt him. I put a finger under his nose andspat.“That’s the second time you’ve used that against me. If you ever do it again I’m refusing to work with youeveragain,” I said, wishing my voice didn’t shake. “Don’t give me bullshit about how youcare,then throw my mistakes in my face. You’re farfrom flawless.Youmissed that one too—let’s not forget that!”

He was still rubbing his jaw and his eyes blazed, but he’d calmed down somehow. “That’s exactly my point,” he muttered. “That’s why this will go so wrong, and you don’t see it. You rely on me getting to you, and I’m fucking terrified that the next time I’ll be too late!”

“Donotput your mistakes on me!”

“You don’t give me any choice—what if I hadn’t shown up in time that night, Bridget? What then?”

I was starting to tremble, but I glared a warning at him.Don’t make me think about that night.“So, webothmade mistakes, except I don’t weaponize yours against you. Because it’s a dick move.”

Jeremy gave a heavy sigh and his shoulders slumped. He dropped his head, staring at the cement. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “I wasn’t… I wasn’t trying to hurt you. I was… I need youto wake up. I’m not lying, Bridge. Every day I’m fuckingterrifiedI’m going to get to work and find out you’re dead.”

God. Jeremy being soft was way worse than Jeremy mad. I took a step back.

“I learned a lot from that guy. And I can tell you, Samneverwanted me dead.”

His eyes screwed tight and his hands went to fists again. “So… fucking…impossible.”

“Stop acting likeyou’remy father. You aren’t, Jeremy. Trust me. I don’t need another one ofhim.”

His head snapped up and he glared at me. “I’m trying to save your life while you try to throw it away. And you won’t listen. So this is it, Bridget. Last chance. I mean it. I was too late today, but it won’t happen again. From this point on, if I evensuspectyou’re being hunted, I’m calling in backup. I don’t care if I have to get the fucking helicopters out here, I willfind him,and I willarrest him.I will throw his ass in jail for breach of parole so fast it’ll leave you spinning. And then I’ll get him on the attempted murder charges becauseguess what the jury will think when they find out he’s still stalking you?Maybe when you’ve been forced to stay away from him for a few months the fog will clear and you’ll realize I was doing you a favor. BecauseI’mnot the fucking villain here!”

I bristled, but fear screamed in my head. “You can bring your toys and your boys out to my next picnic. I don’t care. Because he’s not here, Jeremy.”

He stared at me, then leaned in until we were almost nose to nose. “And that’s how I know I can’t trust your judgment anymore,” he said quietly. He straightened and stepped back, raking a hand through his hair again. “I won’t tell anyone you hit me,” he said quietly. “I was a prick. I’ll own that. And I’m sorry. I won’t… I won’t throw that at you again. But let’s be very clear: I’m never going to apologize for trying to keep you alive—even if the one trying to kill you is you. So, make your choice, Bridget. Because the next time you decide to play cat and mouse I’m going to be there, and I’m skinning that cat alive.”

I stood there, knowing I needed to argue. I had to keep him busy andnotthinking about putting surveillance on Sam’s car or any of the other things they could do to find him out here. Butmy head kept shrieking, images of Sam getting slammed behind cell bars and…shit.

“You got your keys?” Jeremy asked quietly, looking at my car.

I nodded dumbly.

“Don’t forget what I said,” he muttered, then turned on his heel and strode over to the Batmobile without looking back.

Of course, he didn’t leave. He started the vehicle and sat there, watching me in the mirror until I unlocked my car and slipped into the driver’s seat. My hands shook so bad I almost dropped the keys getting them into the ignition. But I got the car going and pulled out—too fast, but it didn’t matter because there was no one here.

Then I drove the miles out to the highway, ignoring the massive, black vehicle that tailed me all the way… then stayed on my tail until I reached my house. He finally passed as I pulled into the driveway, so I flipped the bird out the window until I was sure he was out of sight.

I held it together until I stepped inside, then scrambled for the burner phone in the bottom of my bag, punching at Sam’s number with trembling fingers until the phone finally connected, and I sank to the floor.

---