Page 42 of Release Me Not

“Which is probably not the way to handle things at work,” I whine. “Max, now everyone is going to be talking about Casey losing her job, and it’s going to be my fault.”

“Actually, it would be Ethan’s fault,” Max defends.

“Max, you’re not helping. I don’t want people thinking my relationship with Ethan got Casey fired. People are already talking about me getting a promotion and taking on more of a partnership with Ethan and the expansion.”

“Zoey, let’s backtrack. You need to find out what happened when Casey went to talk to Ethan, and if he did fire her, you need to tell the detective, especially since you are already having reservations about her involvement in your abduction,” Max states, his words getting through to me. “Go see him right now.”

I stand from my desk and as I do, I’m met with Ethan coming into my office. He closes the door behind him. I can tell by the look on his face that something has happened. All the color has drained from his face, his mouth set in a firm line.

“Did you fire Casey?” I instantly ask, walking over to him. I rest my hand on his chest, and when I do, he pulls me into his arms. Embracing me with a hug that pins me to him, holding me close, and I can feel his heart racing as I rest my cheek against his chest.

“Ethan, what’s wrong?” I hear myself ask, my words shaky, my tone soft. I can tell it’s more than just the incident with Casey. There’s something more here, something that has Ethan scared.

His breathing is heavy and when I pull back to look at him, he sends fear coursing through me. He swallows hard, and it feels like forever when he finally speaks.

Max has sat silently watching us, waiting for either of us to say something. My office fills with tension, making the room feel like it might explode.

I think we all knew that even though I escaped, this wasn’t over, it still isn’t over, and today it has come back to haunt all of us.

It’s been a worry of mine and of Ethan’s and of my family’s, and we need to figure out how to live with this constant state of heightened fear. I’ve always felt safe at Badger Creek, especially here at the lodge, but something is about to take that from me.

“I need you to leave,” Ethan simply states, his tone even, his words firm.

“I’m not leaving until you tell me what’s going on,” I demand, moving away from him, my hands on my hips, trying to hold my ground without letting the panic creep into my words.

“I’m glad Max is here,” Ethan now says, ignoring what I’ve just said. “Max, take her to your parents’ house. Wait there for me.”

“Ethan, I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what’s going on. Did you fire Casey? Does it have something to do with that?”

“Zoey,” Max says, coming up behind me, resting a hand on my shoulder, “I think we should do what he says.”

“With all due respect to both of you, but what the fuck? Have neither of you learned anything in the last week? I can speak for myself, and I will not make any decisions until I know what’s going on.” My voice has grown loud and high, giving away the worry that has blanketed the room since Ethan walked in.

“We’re being watched, Zoey,” Ethan says, and a chill races up my spine, sending goosebumps trailing all over my skin. “You’re being watched.” The addition is what has my stomach churning, feeling like I might throw up. I feel a cold sweat breakout over my entire body, my hands shaking at the idea that someone is following me.

“How do you know?” I ask, the words barely leaving my mouth, and when Ethan reaches out a hand, I go to him willingly.

“There was an envelope on my desk this morning. It had a picture of you and me leaving the police station. It was the day you went to review the footage from the parking garage.” He lets out a long slow breath and I can tell he’s trying to steady himself.

This has to be killing him. Ethan was already on edge, worrying about me, making sure he’s increased security, and yet we still find ourselves here.

“I want you to go to your parents’ house,” Ethan repeats, but I don’t want to let the person who is doing this know that I’m scared, that Ethan’s scared. That’s what they want. They want to destroy our lives, and I will not let them win.

“I’m not hiding at my parents’ house,” I reply, trying for a firmer tone, but in all honesty, I am scared. But I also don’t want to live like this. My life feels like a ping pong ball, bouncing back and forth between wanting to say fuck you to this person and also wanting to move away and start over.

It’s a horrible feeling.

“We’re going to the police with the picture, Ethan. That’s what we’re doing and we’re doing it together,” I now say, not letting him argue with me. “We need to tell Detective Simmons that you fired Casey, and we need to bring him the picture.”

“Maybe they can get some fingerprints off the envelope or the picture,” Max suggests, and I’m glad he’s finally not trying to get me to hide.

“Maybe they could,” I say, looking at Ethan.

“I don’t know, but I would feel more comfortable…” he starts, but I’m instantly shaking my head. I know what he’s going to say and there’s no reason for him to continue talking about it.

“You’ve told me that, and if I’m being honest with you, I’d feel more comfortable if we were together. I’m not leaving you,” I assert, not caring in the least that it might not be safe for either of us.

A small smile crosses his lips, his eyes closing as he shakes his head. “Zoey Holden, you’re a real pain in the ass.”

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