Page 139 of Depths of Destruction

---

"It's too dangerous."

"He had all my evidence. There are duplicates in a safety-deposit box. Only Emilia knows about it. If I can't find what I gave him, I can get it."

"Are you crazy right now?" I don't need to ask her. She's serious, and my mouth goes dry.

"No. Ezra probably started investigating things after I went missing. I know him, and it wasn't like him to run away from a story. He found something."

"You aren't stepping foot in Belize until I decide it's safe."

"Untilyoudecide?"

"Yeah."

Naomi glares. "This isn't how our relationship is going to work."

I cross my arms. "And how is that?"

"You telling me what I can and can't do."

"Well, I'm glad you're feeling more like yourself, but the answer is still no."

"I didn't ask your permission." She rises and grabs the nightgown off the floor and puts it on.

Is she serious right now?

Yep, she is.

"For God's sake, you just got beaten and aren't even fully recovered. Everywhere you go in Belize, you're recognized. This isn't about your independence," I hurl.

"I need to finish this, or everything that happened was for nothing. Ezra was telling me something. He died because of whatever it was."

"You don't know that."

"I do. Ezra wouldn't mislead me."

Anger skyrockets in my blood. I rise and point at her. "You aren't going anywhere unless I say."

She snorts. "You have a lot to learn."

"I have a lot to learn?"

"Yep."

"Naomi, this isn't up for discussion. We're leaving for Bermuda today, and that's final."

She shakes her head. "No. I'm going to finish what I started and find out whatever Ezra was trying to tell me." She walks into the bathroom then slams the door.

I open it.

"Do you mind?" she seethes.

"No. You aren't going to do this."

"Do what?"

"Hide from me."

"I'm not hiding. Now leave."

---