Let Me Go (Owned 2)

“I want you in me,” I said breathlessly as Eli moved his mouth down my throat.

“Don’t need to tell me twice.” As we moved to get closer, the phone rang, its high-pitched wail more effective than a bucket of cold water.

“Don’t answer it,” Eli said against my skin. I groaned as Eli trailed his fingers lightly between my thighs.

“It could be about Vera.” I stretched my arm to the nightstand, patting blindly for it until my hand found the hard rectangular object. “Hello?” I answered, unsuccessfully trying to fend Eli off as he kissed me to distraction. I pushed him hard but he only moved away from my lips and down to my stomach. I held back a moan.

“Gracie, it’s Vera.”

I bolted upright, nearly knocking Eli unconscious with my hip. He rubbed his head and I mouthed, “Sorry.”

“Vera? Where are you? Are you okay?” My words came out in a hurried slur.

“I’m okay. Don’t worry.” Her voice sounded dark and low, so unlike the Vera I knew.

“What?” I demanded. “What do you mean ‘don’t worry’?”

“I’ve contacted the police, Gracie,” Vera continued. “I’ve told them I’m not a missing person. Please don’t worry about me.”

“Where are you, Vera? There was blood and—”

“I’m fine!”

“I don’t believe you!” I practically screamed. Eli moved away from my stomach and sat next to me, watching me with concern. I wasn’t even aware that I was naked. All I could think about was Vera.

“Gracie I can’t stay on the phone for very long,” Vera said, a hint of fear playing at her voice.

“Why? Vera what’s going on?” I was scared for her; I felt helpless. What could I do?

“I love you, gal, you know that. I’m okay, please don’t worry.” Before I could respond, the line went dead. I stared at the phone in shock. So many questions ran alongside urges in my head. Should I call the police? She’d said she’d already called the police, but that could be a lie. Maybe I should have them trace the call. Could they even do that after the fact? Probably not. I should be doing something, something other than staring at this phone.

“Grace?” Eli touched my shoulder and I looked at him, eyes wide. “Who was that?”

Don’t hide my pain. “Vera called. She told me she was okay and not to worry.”

“Do you believe her?”

“Like I believe the snake who gave Eve the apple was just trying to help a sister out.”

Eli laughed and settled back against the headboard. “What now?” As I thought on his question, my phone vibrated in my hands. I held my finger up to signal him to be quiet. It wasn’t like he was yelling, but it could have been Vera again and internally I was screaming.

“Vera?” I practically screamed into the phone.

“Uh…” I recognized the severe yet, for some reason, inexplicably insecure tone of my brother immediately. “No, it’s Vic.”

“Oh,” I said, deflated. “Sorry. Hey.”

“I want to, uh…” In the background I could hear L

ennox saying something indecipherable to him. “I want to apologize, and offer you a place to stay.”

“Thank you but no thank you, Vic.” My worry about Vera drained away and was replaced with exhaustion. Vera’s kidnapping—because that’s what it was, no matter what she tried to say—was exhausting. Trying to have a relationship with my brother was exhausting. I was utterly weakened. “I’ll figure somethin’ out. I don’t think we should live together.”

“I own the building,” Vic explained. “I’m offering you an apartment. Free of charge.”

“I don’t want your charity,” I said, maybe a little too harshly. The morning had been a roller coaster of emotions and I was having a hard time stabilizing.

“Fine, then I’ll charge you,” Vic said, annoyance lacing his tone. Again I heard Lennox’s voice in the background, but I couldn’t pick up what she was saying.