Page 35 of The Question of Us
“I just need to know if you’re okay,” I pressed. “That’s the only reason I’m here. I feel responsible, I suppose, and I can’t move on until I know. They’ve arrested both brothers but I know someone else was on the boat that day.”
Lee grimaced. “That would be Freddie, Marty’s personal assistant and all-around sadistic arsehole. A word of warning. You don’t want to attract his attention. It won’t end well.”
I nodded. “Yeah. We figured as much when we heard about his background.”
Lee looked surprised. “Then you’ll know none of us are safe talking like this. Now, you’ve satisfied your curiosity and I’m fine. I really have to go.” He gestured for me to move back from the door. “I’m late already.”
I frowned. “Is there someone outside waiting for you?”
Lee shook his head. “No, but that doesn’t matter. There’s a fiftieth birthday party on Friday for one of Marty’s friends. It’s a big deal. Tons of guests. Marty placed an order here for a box of his favourite cheeses. I’m here to pick that up, nothing more. If I don’t get back to the house soon, there’ll be questions.”
I raised a brow. “What kind of questions?”
Lee looked at me, those pale blue eyes drilling into mine. He shook his head. “You wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me.” My phone vibrated in my pocket but I refused to look away. Nick would have to wait. “Does he hit you?”
Lee never even flinched, the well-rehearsed answer rolling off his tongue. “No.”
I glanced pointedly at his arms.
He bristled. “That’s . . . none of your business.”
“Lee, please,” I found myself begging. “I just want to help.”
He stared at me for a long moment, then his shoulders slumped and he seemed to fold in on himself. “They watch me constantly. If it’s not Marty, it’s Freddie. There are cameras all through the house and a tracker on my phone. If I’m not where I’m supposed to be, like I said, there are... questions.”
I sighed and was about to run my fingers through my hair when I remembered I was wearing a wig and dropped my hand back to my side. “So, does Marty hurt you in some other way?”
Lee’s gaze slid to the side and back. “No.” But it was softer this time and I didn’t believe him any more than I had the first time.
“Then whatdoeshe do to make you stay?” I pressed.
Lee chewed on his thumbnail but didn’t answer.
“Lee, please. Let me help you.”
That made him snort. “You can’t help me.”
“I can’t if you don’t tell me what’s going on,” I pointed out.
He rolled his eyes like I had no clue what I was asking, and the truth was, I didn’t.
“You could come with us now,” I urged. “We’re staying at a motel in town. We can leave tonight and have you back in New Zealand tomorrow. Or we can help you get home, or anywhere you want.”
“Home?” Lee scoffed. “Nah, I think I’ll take a pass on that. I like my chances better with Marty. Besides, he found me under a new name in a different country. Do you really thinkyoucan keep me safe? I wouldn’t make it onto that plane. But even if I could safely leave with you, I wouldn’t. I want to stay with him. It’s my choice, all right. I love him. I don’t expect you to understand that but it’s the truth. So, I’m asking you to please just leave me alone. I don’t want your help. I’m fine.”
Fine.For fuck’s sake. The man was lying through his teeth, but I didn’t get why. “I don’t believe you love him, not in the way you want me to think, anyway. It didn’t stop you risking everything to get away from him once, after all. You can do it again.”
“Jesus Christ, what is wrong with you?” Lee dragged his fingers through his hair as he glared at me. “Let it go. It’s none of your goddammed business. I forgive you, okay? Now go home.”
I’d pushed too far but I couldn’t stop there. “I’m sorry, but I can’t leave without understanding why you’re lying. If I have to come to the house, I will.”
Lee studied me wide-eyed like he was trying to figure out whether I had the balls to make good on my threat or not. To be fair, I wasn’t sure myself what I’d do if he simply told me once again to fuck off. I didn’t want to put him in any more danger.
I made my decision there and then. “I’ll go,” I finally said, hating the fear I’d put in his eyes. I was manipulating him just like Marty, and he didn’t deserve that. “I’m sorry I turned up out of the blue. I didn’t mean to make things hard for you. You’re safe from me. I’ll go.”
His body stilled and those steely pale eyes softened. When he finally spoke, he sounded more resigned than anything else. “I stay because Marty has my brother, that’s why.”
