Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 69909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
I bite the inside of my cheek and remind myself that the bruises he can see are the least of my troubles.
“Let’s talk in the study,” Zeke says. “Blue and I will be in in a minute.”
Robbie takes the cue. Jericho spends another moment studying me with those strange eyes of his, eyes that seem, like his brother’s, to see right through me. I realize I’m holding my breath only when he finally walks away.
Once we hear the study door close, Zeke speaks.
“Wren will be moved to the Margaret Stone Center in the morning. You should probably call her and talk to her. Rudy already knows.”
“Tomorrow?”
“It’s what you wanted, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it’s just fast. I guess I didn’t expect it to go that fast.”
“I pulled some strings.”
“Thank you,” I finally say because I can’t understand this man. I can’t make heads or tails of his words, his actions, all the contradictions.
His kindnesses. His brutality.
He nods, takes out his phone and pushes a button. A moment later, Rudy answers. I’m confused. Did he take Rudy’s contact information from my phone and save it into his? Why?
“Rudy, it’s Zeke and Blue,” he says.
“We’ve been waiting for your call,” Rudy says.
“How are you? How’s Wren?” I ask, crossing the room to stand beside Zeke.
“We’re busy packing, aren’t we, Wren?”
I guess he’s got the phone on speaker too. “We’re going on a trip,” Wren tells me. “Are you coming too?”
Zeke gives a single shake of his head. “I wouldn’t miss it,” I say with all the cheer I can muster. Zeke admonishes me with a look, but I shrug my shoulders.
“Rudy says they have a swimming pool.”
“Do they?” I form my lips into a smile to make the words sound more upbeat than I feel. “I’ll have to remember to buy a new bathing suit.”
I listen to Wren chatter on a few more minutes. She’s distracted with packing I guess but I’m glad. It’s better if she’s excited about the move. I expected her to be agitated and upset, but Rudy is good like this.
A moment later, Rudy tells me the phone is off speaker.
“How is she?” I ask.
“She’s good. Truly. A little confused but I’ve been talking up the swimming pool. Can I talk to you alone, Blue?”
I glance at Zeke who stands up. “Come into the study when you’re finished.”
“I will.”
I wait until he’s gone and switch the phone off speaker. “We’re alone.”
“He offered me double my salary to go with Wren, Blue.”
“What?”
“One lump payment. It’s already in my account. I mean, I guess he wasn’t really asking, just deciding. You know I’d go anyway. You and your sister, I know you don’t like to talk about what happened, but I love you both, you know that. He didn’t have to do that. I told him as much, but I thought you should know.”
“Thanks, Rudy.”
“And there is one other thing.”
“What’s that?”
“I saw the paperwork from Margaret Stone Center. He’s listed himself as the main point of contact for Wren.”
“What?”
“You’re listed too, but I thought it was weird.”
“Why would he do that?”
Rudy doesn’t have that answer though. “Listen, I need to go and help Wren wrap things up. She’s packed and unpacked three times now,” he says, and it makes me smile. That’s a little bit of the old Wren I recognize. “I’ll call you tomorrow once your sister is settled, okay?”
“Thanks, Rudy. And thanks for telling me those things.”
I can almost see him nodding. “Goodnight, Blue.”
“Night.”
I disconnect the call and stand there for a long minute thinking. Why would he pay Rudy so much? And why would he put himself down as a point of contact? Once this is over, once we’re safe, Zeke won’t be a part of our lives anymore. This complicates things. Is it just a way for him to be sure I’ll do as I’m told?
I hear a door open down the hall. “Blue?” Zeke calls out.
“On my way.”
I tuck my phone into my back pocket and hand Zeke his once I get to the study. Jericho and Robbie are seated on the couch. Zeke gestures to one of the armchairs and he sits on the one opposite mine.
“I hope you’re not hurt too badly, Blue,” Jericho says.
“Thanks. I’m sorry Isabelle was hurt because of me.”
“It sounds like my brother made sure Hoxton paid the price.”
I glance at Zeke who is quiet.
“You’ve lied to us at least once before, Blue. I expect honesty going forward.” Jericho doesn’t beat around the bush.
“Already handled, Brother,” Zeke says, sounding bored.
“I’m glad to hear it,” Jericho says. “I’ll be very honest myself. I don’t like my brother risking his life to save a stranger. One who tried to blackmail him.”
“I—”
“I don’t know what to make of you just yet and I hope, for your sake, you will be trustworthy going forward,” he adds.