Page 59 of Don't Stop

“Wait… like bought my building Dallas?” he asked, putting the pieces together. “Fuck!”

The line beeped, warning me my time was almost up. “Ronan, promise me.”

“Of course, of course. I’ll make sure she’s good and safe.Fuck. I knew there was something off with that guy when I looked into him. He’s got some deep connections. His hands are in everything. Watch yourself.”

His warning hung in my ears when the line disconnected, going dead.Watch yourself.

Chapter thirty-seven

Amanda

Theyhadn’tletmesee Drake yesterday, and last night was agonizing. Sleep didn’t come easily, and no matter how many times I rolled over, he wasn’t there. All I could think about was getting him out of jail, but I needed help.

“Please answer,” I whined, groaning when the phone clicked over to Bryson’s voicemail. He hadn’t returned the last four calls, so I didn’t bother to leave another voicemail. I hung up and dialed my best friend.

“Hey, Amanda,” she said quietly, nearly whispering.

I sniffled. “Bryson’s not answering my calls.”

“I know,” she sighed. “I’m sorry. He says he doesn’t want to talk to you.”

His muffled complaints sounded in the background.He was right there.My heart sank. “He’s being ridiculous.”

“I’m working on him,” she said, and Bryson objected in the background. “He won’t be mad for long. I promise.”

I didn’t care that he was mad. He could be mad as long as he wanted, but I couldn’t stand Drake being behind bars one more day. “Tell him I’m going to that jail alone then.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Mackenzie asked.

Bryson started to shout in the background. “Did she just say she’s going to that jail?” Mackenzie must have nodded. “Tell her she is—”

“You tell her,” she said, and her voice got more distant when she held the phone out to my brother. He grumbled but didn’t take it. She scoffed.

“Mack, I’m going. Bryson wouldn’t leave you there, and I’m sure as hell not leaving Drake.”

***

When the guard opened the door that led to the small room holding Drake, a table, and two chairs, I rushed towards him. He stood up, relief flashing over his face. I reached over the table, desperate to trace each individual line in his skin.

He looked tired. There were deep lines carved near the corner of his eyes and dark bags under them. Even still, he was the most handsome man I’d seen, and I stared at his face, desperate to remember every detail. What if I never got to see him again?I wouldn’t let that happen.

“Hey, angel.” He sounded calm, but he eyed me like the inside of his mind was screaming at him.

Tears welled against my bottom eyelids. “Are you okay?” I asked him with a sniffle, dropping into the uncomfortable metal chair.

Drake nodded. “I’m okay. Are you?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat, tapping my fingers against the table anxiously. When I rolled my lips together, I bit down, nodding and shaking my head at the same time. This couldn’t be happening.

He reached across the table, grabbing my hands between both of his. “Listen to me,” he said, watching a tear drop from my cheek and onto the metal table. “I promise you I’m fine. Are you okay?”

“No, I’m not okay,” I said, choking on the sob stuck in my throat. “I hate that you’re in here. You shouldn’t be in here!”

“I’m going to get out. You know I can’t stay away from you.” He winked, and the butterflies in my stomach awoke, rushing to my chest.

I smiled at him before the short-lived excitement disappeared. “Bryson is mad,” I said. “Like really mad. He won’t even talk to me. He basically said you can stay in here.”

Drake narrowed his eyes and his forehead creased in the middle. “Why is he mad?” He squeezed my hand tighter. “Because of us?”

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