Page 90 of Rules to Love By

“I’m going to count backwards from ten. When I get to one, you’re going to ease that air out, understand?”

Another nod. He closed his eyes, intent on Eli’s pillowy soft voice.

“Ten. Nine. Eight.”

A small sound snuck up Marcus’s throat. He didn’t try to stop it.

“Good. Seven. Six.”

Marcus’s shoulders eased from their hard, drawn-up pinch.

“That’s it. Five. Four. Three.”

It was getting hard to keep the air in, now. Which was good, right?

“Two.” Eli moved back slightly, though Marcus could still feel the breath of his words on his cheek. “One.”

The air left Marcus in a long, soft hiss. He immediately gulped more in. This time, it did what it was supposed to, and flowed right back out. That’s right. That’s how breathing worked. He remembered now.

Eli squeezed the back of his neck, kissed his cheek, and stepped away.

Flailing, Marcus shot out a hand after him, and Eli grabbed it and held on.

“Good.” Schiffer picked up his briefcase as he stood. “Mr. Richards, I’m going to go back and set up in Kreed’s office.” He shot a glance at Kreed, who nodded. “I’ll let you finish your meal while I get sorted. Then we can talk.”

Marcus nodded at him. “Thank you.”

Schiffer patted his shoulder. “Not to worry, Mr. Richards. We will get all of this sorted out in no time.”

Once he was gone, Marcus looked at Eli. “Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. Glad I could help.” He squeezed again. “What’s happening?”

Quickly, Marcus filled him in.

“But it doesn’t matter what Johnathan says, because you weren’t there.”

Marcus closed his eyes.

“Were you?”

“Yeah.” Marcus nodded. “I was. I saw you sitting in the park.”

“Why didn’t you come talk to me?”

“Soon as the glass broke, you booked it.”

Eli made a gesture at himself and grimaced. “Sorry. Just—it would have been a thing. Complicated. But it sucks I didn’t see you. I could have told them you didn’t throw the rock or whatever it was.”

“That complicates pretty much everything,” Tris observed.

Marcus had all but forgotten he was there.

“Doesn’t change the fact I didn’t do anything,” Marcus pointed out.

“I know you didn’t. But all any of us can say is you weren’t here. And you’ve admitted you were in the city. Once Johnathan hears that, he’s going to latch onto it like fucking industrial Velcro. Guess that’s what Clairemont meant when he said you’d have a tough fight ahead of you. And he’s right. Johnathan is going to try and pin this on you.”

Marcus nodded. “It would sure make his life easier if he could. All he needs to sell the place is for me not to fight him on it.”

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