Page 70 of Replacement

“Yeah. But from what I’ve researched, they also care a lot about their reputation. Are they going to want to keep supporting someone who is such a disgrace? Maybe. But maybe not.”

“I guess so.” I sigh. “We’ll see. But I feel better even if he gets out on bail. We’ll just keep up with the security as long as he’s even possibly a threat.”

“Yes. And even afterward as far as I’m concerned. I’m not going to let anyone touch you.”

I snuggle against him, giggling foolishly. I think it’s just an overload of emotion.

We stay on the couch for a long time, sometimes talking, sometimes just holding each other. Until eventually I need to use the bathroom and William wants to get out of his business suit.

I’m walking past our closet when I hear a phone ring.

It’s not my phone. My phone is in my pocket and silent. I’ve gotten my own now since Amber’s phone never felt like mine.

The ringing is coming from the closet. Which means it must be Amber’s. I’ve been leaving it on and charged on a shelf in there.

I step in and glance at the screen. The number is unfamiliar. I pick it up instinctively, saying, “Hello?”

“Jade.”

I freeze. Suck in a sharp breath. “Amber?”

“Yeah.”

We’re both silent for a few seconds. Then I ask, “What do you want?”

“I heard they caught your stalker.”

She must somehow be keeping tabs on me because the interaction at the coffee shop definitely didn’t make the news or get a lot of publicity.

“Did you?” I’m not nervous. Not upset. It feels more like I’m caught in a numb trance.

William must hear me talking because he comes to the closet doorway and stands there motionless. Listening.

I put the call on speakerphone so he can hear both sides.

“If you’re not in danger anymore,” Amber continues, “I thought maybe you’d want to switch back. There’s only a couple more weeks before the contract runs out, so I thought now would be a good time.”

I make a weird, dry bark of laughter. “Is that what you thought?”

“Y-yes. I thought so. What’s the matter?”

“You really think it’s all going to go back to the way it was?”

“Why shouldn’t it?”

“Because you used me. And you used William. And we’re not going to be used anymore.”

She doesn’t answer for an uncomfortably long stretch of time. “What’s going on?”

“William knows the truth.”

“Wh-what the fuck? Why did you tell him?” The sweetness in her voice has completely vanished.

“He figured it out for himself. We’ve worked things out on our own. We’re fine as we are.”

“But… then… What the fuck…? What about me?”

“What about you?”

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