Page 123 of Love Me Steadfast
That gruff exhale again. “Smart girl.”
I glance at the back hallway, but William’s still talking with Leslie. “Fuck off.”
“Now, now,” he scolds. “I can promise it’s in your best interest to hear me out.”
He must take my silence as acquiescence because he continues. “I need you to make a couple of records disappear.”
I pull back from the table like it’s scalding my fingers. “What?”
“Don’t you think I know exactly where you are right now?”
I’m being watched? Frustration and fear swirl together inside me so fast I have to close my eyes. This isn’t supposed to happen. I made my pact, signed it, and I’ve kept my end of the deal. “I just want to be left alone.”
“Which is why you’ll do exactly as I ask.”
William steps into the restaurant, his eyes softening with concern when he sees my face.
“I have to go,” I say in a rush, and hang up.
William cocks his head. “You okay?”
A searing ache slices my tooth, making me gasp and grip my jaw. I try to breathe but the cool air in my mouth only makes it worse. It stings so bad my eye socket is throbbing.
“Whoa,” William says, crouching in front of me, his hands cradling my shoulders. “What’s wrong?”
I cover the molar with my tongue. It helps a little, but I’m breathing fast and my heart is pounding. “Ow,” I manage. “Wren…uncle…” I squeeze my eyes shut and gather my strength “…dentist…”
William’s face tenses with worry. ““Okay. I’ll drive you.”
I start to protest, but he gently strokes my forehead, his deep blue eyes shining with kindness. “That wasn’t a question, sweetheart. I’m taking care of you.”
I’m not exactly in a position to refuse, so I rock to my feet.
William tucks his laptop into his messenger bag then slings it over his shoulder. “Come on.”
I cling to his arm as we shuffle down the back hallway,tears welling behind my eyes. Tears from frustration and exhaustion as much as from the pain.
Because haven’t I suffered enough? I’ve held up my end of the bargain for eight long years. I’ve kept my silence, even when it meant distancing myself from the people I care about. Even when I knew it would keep me broken.
And now I’m expected to help him by doing him some sort of favor?
I need you to make a few records disappear.What records?
He knows where I am…which must mean…
The shock wave of understanding that hits me makes me falter, and I have to lean on Will to keep moving forward.
Records.
Didn’t Will say that’s what was missing from the office?
Through the haze of steady, hot pain in my mouth, there’s a thought spinning round and round. It’s the same one from earlier. The one I couldn’t quite put together. But it’s clear now.
There’s only one reason why Nic’s fixer wants this favor.
Nic’s somehow involved in this case the FBI is looking into.
He’s the link they’re looking for.
