Page 26 of The Only Reason (The Trident Trilogy 2)

Chapter Twelve

Millie

San Diego, California

2020

George’s car is nowhere to be seen when I leave the house, but I know he’s lurking around somewhere. I start jogging down to the beach in case Mason’s watching. When I turn the corner to take a shortcut through a parking lot, someone grabs me from behind and shoves me into a town car. I don’t fight because I know who it is. I land in the back seat and see George smiling up at his driver, who I now recognize as Ted—George’s henchman from the agency.

“Hey, Millie,” Ted says calmly. “Hope I didn’t hurt you. George didn’t want to take any chances of you ignoring him again.”

“All good, Teddy,” I say as he closes the door.

I turn to George. “What the fuck is wrong with you? Do you not remember I was shoved into a car at gunpoint less than a year ago? You’re going to give me PTSD.”

“Wait. Do you have PTSD? Really? Because if you do, I can’t tell you any of this. You know the old agency saying: ‘Only sound minds can hear the crazy stuff.’”

“That’s not an agency saying. It’s a George saying. And I don’t have PTSD yet. But years from now, I’m sure I’m going to fall to the ground shaking and crying any time I hear the name George.”

“I think my ex-wife already does that. I can put you in touch with her if you want to know when to expect the onset.”

“George,” I say impatiently, “why did you give me the ring-finger signal? What more do you have to tell me?”

He looks away and sighs. He can’t even make eye contact with me. That hasn’t happened once in all the years I’ve known him. It must be something really good. Or something really bad. I’m not sure I want to hear it either way.

“Are you really dating that caveman back there? Seems like you could do better,” he says, trying to change the subject.

“Not that it’s any of your business, but he’s not a caveman. He’s kind and gentle and thoughtful. And he’s amazing in bed.”

“Ahh, Millie!” he says, covering his ears. “C’mon. I’m like your work dad. I don’t need to hear that.”

“You brought it up. And I already have a dad—well, had one. And he was perfect. I don’t need you to fill in for him. Now what is it you want to tell me so badly that you had Teddy practically assault me?”

George sighs again—deeply this time—and then turns to face me with a wide-eyed expression I’ve never seen from him. “Well, speaking of your dad . . .”

***

I’m standing at Chase’s front door. I have no idea how I got here or how long I’ve been staring at the doorbell. Did I ring it yet? I press it because it seems like the right thing to do, but I’m not sure what to say if he opens the door. Why am I here? My brain feels like it’s frozen. I shake my head to try to clear the fog, but that makes me dizzy. When Chase opens the door, I’m struggling to stay standing.

“Hey!” he says cheerfully. “I didn’t know you were coming over today.”

Yeah, neither did I.I was hoping he would be able to fill me in as to why I’m standing at his front door, but it looks like we’re both clueless. The smile on his face quickly disappears. He takes a step toward me. I still don’t think I’ve said anything to him.

“Millie,” he says as he grabs my shoulders. “Are you okay, sweetie? What’s wrong?”

The dizziness is starting to take over. I close my eyes and start to fall backward.

“Millie!” Chase yells as he pulls me into a bear hug to steady me. As I let my body fall into his, I feel him lifting me up. The next thing I know, I’m lying on his couch shivering. He grabs the blanket hanging over the back of the couch and covers me with it.

“Millie.” He’s shaking my chin lightly. “You fainted. Can you focus on my eyes? That’s good. Just relax. You’re okay.”

“Where am I?” I try to sit up. He pushes me gently back down.

“You’re at my house. How did you get here? Your car isn’t in the driveway. Did Mason drop you off? And you’re soaking wet. How did you get so wet?”

I’m just starting to feel the pain radiating through my knees and ankles. “I think I might have jogged here.”

“What do you mean ‘you think’? And where did you jog here from?”

---