Page 8 of The Heart You've Borrowed

“Hello?” I clear my throat.

“Is this Lio?” A female voice says.

“Yes, who is this?” I ask confused, I check my phone again to make sure it actually said Charlie’s name.

“This is Kelly, a friend of Charlie. She needs help Lio. She told me if anything happened to call you.” Her voice cracks and my heart starts to race. Charlie is in trouble?

“What happened?” I snap.

“She left Jett today, and he came here looking for her. He’s hurting Charlie. I don’t know what to do. Andy is out there with them telling him he needs to leave but he won’t let her go. She told me to call you and I don’t know who you are or why she told me to call you but I think she needs you, Lio.” She’s crying now. Fuck. Jett is hurting her? What the hell is happening?

“Is she okay?”

“It looks like Jett just left but as far as her being okay, I don’t think so.”

“Send me your address, I’ll catch the next flight out tonight,” I say before hanging up. I rush back to my house to pack a bag and head to the airport. I have no idea what the hell happened tonight but Charlie needs me and I would tear the world apart for her if she asked me to. As far as Jett goes, if I ever see him again I’ll fucking kill him.

Chapter Five

Charlie

I don’t remember falling asleep, I don’t even remember how I got to bed. I stretch under the covers and slowly open my eyes. When I do I notice someone standing in my doorway. I quickly sit up and rub my eyes. It’s him. It’s Lio, he’s actually here.

“Lio.” My voice cracks and my lip trembles.

“Hey, silly girl.” He crosses the room and wraps his arms around me. I cling to him, not wanting him to let go.

“I missed you so much.” I sob into his chest.

“I’ve missed you too.” He holds me tighter.

“You didn’t have to fly all the way here.” I pulled away, wiping the tears from my face.

“Yes, I did.” He tucks a piece of hair behind my ear.

“Thank you.” I take a deep breath.

“What the fuck is going on silly girl?” He grabs my hand, squeezing it.

“Things have been pretty bad.” The tears won’t stop.

“Talk to me.”

“After he made us stop being friends everything went downhill. He started getting meaner and saying stuff that really hurt. He never hurt me physically until yesterday. I went to his office to surprise him with lunch for our anniversary and I caught him hooking up with his receptionist. He tried to blame me, saying it was my fault. Kelly told me to come here to get away because she saw that he slapped me before I left his office. I packed a bag and left. He found me here yesterday because I forgot he had my location and so he came here to try to get me to go home with him. I told him it was over and he lost it. He started choking me and wouldn’t stop until Andy came and pointed his gun at him. I’ve never been so scared.” My hand reaches up to my neck, it’s still sore and I’m sure there are bruises.

“I’m so sorry Charlie.” He pulls me into a hug. He rubs my back and I try to get my breathing under control, I don’t need a panic attack right now.

“I don’t know what happened to us. We used to be this picture-perfect couple, but I guess it’s true what they say.” I sighed.

“What’s that?”

“A picture can tell a thousand lies.”

“Everything is going to be okay Charlie. I’ve booked you a flight with me to Texas for tonight. I will get you out of here and you can start over.” He says as if it’s no big deal.

“What?” I pulled away from him.

“I already talked to my partner and we have a job lined up for you. There’s a small apartment above the office that you can stay at for free and you can work for us.” He smiles.

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