Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 85228 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85228 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
I swallow as I take another step forward, but now isn't the time nor the place to have a conversation with her.
I walk out of the room, my hackles going up when the sound of another pair of boots follows me from the room.
I know it's Jericho hot on my tail without having to look over my shoulder, but instead of turning to face him, I hit the stairs, taking them up two at a time, needing to put some distance between Caitlyn and myself, if only so she doesn't witness the man punching me in the fucking face for being such a colossal asshole to her.
Surprisingly, he follows me into my room, and although we've all lived here for months now, no other Cerberus member has been in here. Sticking their head inside to remind me of a meeting or to ask me if I want to take a hike through the woods is as far as they've come.
The two of us inside make the adequate room feel so much smaller than it really is.
He's seething when I turn to face him, and I know the man is allowed his feelings, but having anyone else worried about Caitlyn makes me want to punch him in the face and claim her safety and well-being for myself.
"What did you do to her?" he snaps.
"What's wrong?" I ask, concerned that I was right about something happening while I was gone. "Did that motherfucker go to her house last night?"
"She didn't have any trouble at her house," he says, and sudden relief hits me again, much the same way it did when I saw her in the living room a few minutes ago. "So her planning to move out of town has nothing to do with you?"
"What?" I growl. "She's moving?"
"Yes, and I have no doubt it has everything to do with you," he snaps, taking a step closer.
I deserve everything he has to offer, but I don't have fucking time right now to take an ass beating from him.
"She has that stalker," I say, but it's a weak excuse at best.
Moving to a different place makes sense, leaving the area entirely seems a bit extreme.
"What the fuck am I supposed to do about Eli?" he growls. "I told you to stay the fuck away from her."
"I'll fix it," I say, but my tone lacks the confidence I'm trying to force myself to feel.
"You fucking better," he says before turning and leaving my room.
I drop down to my bed, exhaustion running over my entire body, and I know it has more to do with that than having ridden over ten hours recently on my bike. The idea of losing her makes my skin crawl, the fear of her being gone and in a place where we can't protect her is stronger than any misgivings I had about getting too close to her.
I drop my head into my hands, but deep breaths aren't offering any relief. I leave my room, heading downstairs and outside to wait for Eli's session to end.
I can't let this woman walk away, and I won't take no for an answer.
Chapter 33
Caitlyn
"What about tomorrow?" Aspen asks, and I can tell that she's trying to hide her real emotions.
I know me letting them know when I arrived today that I was making plans to move out of the area wouldn't be received well. It's sort of helpful for my ego to know that I'm valued by them as Eli's therapist.
"I'll still be here for all appointments this week. It may take a few weeks for me to iron out everything I need to move," I assure them. "I can make suggestions on a new therapist for him. It's very possible we can have tandem appointments to get him used to the idea of seeing someone new."
I get two flat smiles from Aspen and Nolan, and when I feel the sting of tears in my eyes I know I have to go before I get even more unprofessional by crying in front of my client's parents.
Sadness immediately turns to rage when I spot Roman standing with his back leaned against my driver's side door. I have no doubt Nolan told him about my plans to move when he followed him out of the room earlier.
"Excuse me," I say, more pain in my voice than I like.
Seeing him doesn't make the threat of tears from earlier dissipate. If anything they press harder against the backs of my eyes, making my nose burn.
"You can't move away."
I glare at him. "You need to move."
He shifts on his feet but he doesn't step away from my vehicle.
"Tell me why you're leaving. We can fix it."
I shake my head, trying my best to pull in a deep breath to fortify myself against this man, and the shaky sound of air makes me want to pound my fists against his chest in anger.