Page 79 of Catalyst

“Hmmm. A little odd, but she was probably just nervous about losing her job with the temp agency since she was ending the contract early.”

“Maybe. I don’t think Tessa would’ve said anything if that was the case, though.”

We sit in silence for a minute, both of us thinking over what Matthew said. My natural inclination is to deny Tessa’s claim. I can’t afford to think that something bigger is going on here than Ellie deciding it was time to move on. I messed up, and she’s had enough people in her life screw her over that self-preservation was likely the only option she felt she had.

But I also can’t stop thinking about the ragged look on her face as she tried to get the words out. They weren’t easy for her to say, which has me wondering for the millionth time why she said them at all.

My phone rings, breaking the silence, and I pull it out to see Jeffery’s name on the screen. I answer it immediately, a sense of dread sinking in my stomach.

“Mr. Ellis, I’ve got something that you need to see. Can we meet somewhere private?”

I swing my gaze to Matthew, my eyebrows shooting up to my hairline. “Yeah, we can meet at my house. I’ll text you the address.”

CHAPTER37

Ellie

I stareat the email on my computer with my heart beating a mile a minute. For the first time in days, a smile curls up the sides of my mouth.

I got in.

I’m going back to school for graphic design.

After all this time, I’m finally doing the one thing that’s never failed me. Art has always been the one constant in my life I could count on. No matter what was happening around me, I knew I had my art to fall back on. And I think I’m ready to take this step toward the future I’ve always wanted, but never believed I could have.

It’s been three days since I quit working at Sidelines. Three days of wandering around my house, feeling lost and desolate. Today is the deadline to get Adam to partner with Legends. I haven’t heard anything from them, so I have no idea if my plan worked.

Breaking up with Adam and quitting my job was the only thing I could think of that wouldn’t be betraying him. It hurt like hell to do it, and I know I hurt him just as much as I hurt myself. I watched in real time as he shuttered every emotion he used to share with me. I hated every second of that meeting on Monday, but I knew if that article came out, it would only make everything worse.

I thought breaking up with him would take that article out at the knees. Because if we aren’t together, the article would lose all credibility. They’d have nothing to use against either of us, and without their leverage, their threat loses all power.

I’m willing to live with a broken heart if it means Adam doesn’t have to watch his entire life’s work go up in flames.

A knock on my door has my eyebrows furrowing. I’m not expecting anyone, which makes me a little leery of who could be here.

“Little pig, little pig, let me in.”

My stomach drops as Junior taunts me from the other side of the door. I have no idea how he found me, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he had me followed. I should’ve known they weren’t going to let me go. My little stunt probably just made everything worse because these guys aren’t known for accepting no as an answer.

My brain spins as I try to figure out what to do next. I turn around to sneak out my back door, moving on quiet feet. Maybe if he thinks I’m not home, he’ll go away. I shake my head at the thought. He knows I’m home. He wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t sure.

I flick the deadbolt and twist my door handle, preparing to sprint for my life, only to be met with resistance. Giving up all pretense of trying to be quiet, I jiggle the door. It doesn’t move an inch.What the fuck?

Could he have barred it with something? There’s no window in the door to check, and as Junior’s fist slams on my front door, I realize I don’t have a way out of my house.

“Let me in, little pig, or I’ll blow your house down!” Junior yells, his anger seeping through his voice.

I’d scream for Sue to call for help, but given it’s the middle of the afternoon, I know she’s at work right now. I’m on my own.

And I’ve been training for this exact moment for over a year. I don’t have to be the cowering girl I was the first time Junior hurt me.

With that thought in mind, I grab a knife from the butcher block and squeeze it in my fist. I’m not entirely sure I have the stomach to stab him, but if it comes down to my life or his, I know which one I’ll choose.

I walk back into the living room, where I left my phone in my panic, and call 911. Now that my fear has turned into anger, I’m a little annoyed at myself for not doing this sooner.

“Nine-one-one, what’s your emergency?”

“Clifford Byrnes Junior is trying to enter my house without permission,” I say, making sure they know exactly who is doing this, just in case.

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