Page 110 of Conquering Oz

Two minutes later he turned, and entered the room. He stopped a few feet from where Garner was held captive in the corner. Oz gripped his tie, ripped it off, and rolled his neck. While he was eager to get to Elodie, he was going to take his time making Garner suffer.

And suffer, you will.

Chapter Twenty-One

Elodie sat on the edge of the bed in Oz’s room, staring at the open door to the bathroom. It would only be a few more minutes to find out the results. She’d waited to take the test until Oz arrived. He’d come home about two hours after her.

She’d been thankful for Nash, who’d stayed with her, but they hadn’t spoken much. Doc, who she assumed was a licensed doctor on their payroll, had been waiting at Oz’s house when they arrived. He’d cleaned up the wound at her temple and gave her some aspirin. He’d initially offered her stronger medication. She was about to decline but Nash beat her to it, announcing she may be pregnant.

“How much longer?” Oz asked from across the room.

“Three more minutes.”

Oz hadn’t said much since he came home. He’d taken a shower somewhere else in the house before coming up to his bedroom. It should’ve been awkward. They’d just gone days without speaking after a horrific secret was exposed. Yet, all she could feel was content knowing he was there, and she was safe. Even with an uncertain future, she was exactly where she wanted to be.

Oz hadn’t said a word about Garner. And she didn’t ask. Elodie knew what his fate would be the minute Oz showed up at her apartment.

“Can I ask you something?” She grasped tightly to the edge of the mattress, digging her toes into the plush carpet. She didn’t bother looking up but heard his footsteps grow closer. The feet of the chair scraped against the hardwood and he moved it directlyin front of her. She watched him circle around and sit. They were only separated by about three feet.

“Anything.”

“Will you tell me about the Underground?”

Oz gaze scanned her face. “What do you want to know?”

Elodie blinked and straightened her back. “Just like that, you’ll tell me?”

“Within reason.”

“What does that mean?”

Oz leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees and clasping his hands. “I would never tell you anything that could incriminate you. Or put you in danger. My life in the Underground and the one with you will be two different worlds. And I’m going to make it somyworld doesn’t touchours.”

He was saying everything she wanted to hear, but she couldn’t ignore the truth.

“But it did,” she whispered.

His jaw squared. “I didn’t anticipate Garner coming for you. I won’t make that mistake again.”

It was a vow and a promise.

Elodie shrugged. “How could you have known…”

“I should’ve known he’d come for the one person I can’t live without.”

Me.

Elodie was internally struggling.

“Have you ever thought about leaving?”

“No.” His gaze softened. “I can make a separate world for you and I. But I can’t and won’t walk away from the Underground. It’s a part of who I am.”

He was being honest which she appreciated. Oz wasn’t giving her a hope for something different.

An echoing alarm sounded through the room. She’d set it on her phone for the results of the test. Elodie stood and startedpast Oz. He reached out, grasping her wrist, forcing her to stop mid-step.

“Sit down.”

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