Page 36 of Come Back to Me

“It’s Brazilian alexandrite.”

“And?”

“It’s rare and costs a fortune.” I nudge her side. “Think that says a lot about how he pictures you.”

She gapes at it. “You mean to tell me I’m walking around with a house on my hand?!”

“In today’s real estate, it’s more like a shitty teardown.”

“Tee!”

“What? It’s true.” And I know she likes it because the thing about Zee? She can’t hide shit from me without her CGM telling me the whole tale.

Her throat bobs. “H-He gave me this when he hated me.”

“He never hated you. I saw that on his face when he came to pick you up in New York the day before your wedding. Anyway, what future spouse who loathes the ground you walk on flies all the way from the backend of beyond to NYC to ferry you to your home province?”

“I figured he thought I’d run...”

“Lies,” I scoff. “You were never going to run. You’re too decent for your own good.”

“You make that sound like a crime.”

“It is when you have zero self-preservation skills, but it’s fine. I have them in spades and I got your back, sweetie. Now, text Hercules—” I peer outside, on the hunt for another rattle of thunder. Thankfully, Thor and Zeus have decided to play nice despite being entirely different sets of gods. “—and tell him that you love him. I’m sure it’ll put a smile on his face.”

When she turns bright pink, I grin at her and step away from the cubicle.

“What’s going on?” Parker whines.

“Oh, stop being a big baby. We’re ditching this dump and heading out onto the open road.”

“AndI’mthe dramatic one.”

On the brink of telling her she’s all that and more, my cell buzzes.

Callan: Don’t leave the store without looping me in on where you’re going.

Me: We’re going to the nearest mall, but here’s my live location so you know where we are at all times

Callan: I don’t think the mall’s wise

Me: It’s a mall. Not Riker’s Island

Callan: Do you know how many ways there are to kidnap someone in a mall?

Me: No one knows her yet

Me: Which is a side of this plan you didn’t reckon on, huh?

Callan: Of course I did.

Me: As soon as her face is known to the public, she’s in danger. You better be upping their security.

Callan: Duh. But this isn’t on me and it isn’t on these interviews. People are pissed at Clyde. Lots of crap is coming out of the woodwork.

Me: Like?

Callan: Business deals he’s fucked up, men he’s screwed out of money. Anyway, I would never risk Colt’s or Zee’s safety. We’ll have bodyguards for whenever she and Colt leave Pigeon Creek

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