We end the call, then Ethan sits down, handing me my coffee.
I sip on the warm liquid, letting it chase the chill from my body.
My body.
It feels so foreign.
ETHAN
After rinsing our cups, I head back to the bedroom and ask, “Want to shower?”
Finlay’s eyes dart to the bathroom. “Right. You need to get to work.” Scooting off the bed, she gives me an apologetic look. “Sorry, I should’ve thought of that. Thank you for letting me stay the night. I’ll shower at home.”
I shake my head as she takes hold of her bag. “You’re not going home.” She looks so damn fragile as her eyes meet mine. “And you’re going to work with me. I said I’m not leaving you alone, and I meant it.” Stepping forward, I take the bag from her and set it down. Lifting my hands, I frame her face. “I’m not letting you out of my sight. He’ll have to come through me to get to you.”
Relief washes over her features, and she gives me a heartbreaking look. “I’m sorry you got pulled into this mess.”
I shake my head, my jaw clenching. “Some deranged bastard threatening your life is not a mess, Fin.” I pull her into a hug and press a kiss to the top of her head. “Shower. Okay?”
“Okay.”
I let go of her and quickly straighten the cover and pillows on the bed. Finlay takes her bag into the bathroom, and when she shuts the door, I walk to where her phone’s lying. Grabbing it, I switch it on and quickly turn the volume down, so she doesn’t hear it beeping.
The device starts to vibrate, and I walk to the living room.
Taking a deep breath, I open the messages. Most are threats but then I get to one, and I have to run for the guest toilet. I make it just in time, drop to my knees, and empty my stomach.
Christ Almighty.
The photo of the fucker’s condom-wrapped dick still inside her will fucking haunt me forever. It’s seared into my mind.
When there’s nothing more to vomit, I slump back, and with shaking hands, I delete the photo.
Fuck.
I grab hold of the wall and pull myself up, then quickly rinse my mouth out.
“Fuck,” I groan, my heart thundering in my chest, my stomach still churning violently.
Putting a fucking image to Finlay’s trauma drags me back down to my knees. My hands fist on my thighs, my body shudders, my heart ripped out of my chest.
The horror I’m drowning in is still nothing compared to what Finlay’s feeling. She lived through that. I just saw a photo for a couple of seconds.
Christ. How’s she still standing?
The thought pushes me back to my feet. I rinse my mouth again, then force my thundering heart to slow down.
Keep it together.
The phone vibrates, ripping a growl from my chest. I open the message, and it’s another photo of Finlay spread out on a mattress. I don’t take in her naked body, the image ripping my soul to shreds.
Not thinking, I press dial on the number. I’m surprised when it starts ringing.
“Miss me, my love?” his voice comes over the line, sounding so fucking loving, it’s spine-chilling.
“I’m. Going. To. Kill. You,” I bite the words out, my body shaking with rage.
“She’s mine.” This time his tone’s aggressive.
“Come say that to my face,” I challenge him, hoping it will draw him out from whatever fucking rock he’s hiding under. “I dare you.”
“Soon.” He chuckles arrogantly, then the call ends.
I almost put my fist through the wall but catch myself just in time. I hear the other bathroom door open and shove the rage down. Glancing at the mirror, I take deep breaths to calm down.
I practice a smile, and when it looks convincing enough, I flush the toilet and walk to the bedroom. I switch off Finlay’s phone, shoving the device in my pocket.
My eyes land on her as she pulls a brush through her damp hair. She looks beautiful, dressed in dark jeans, a soft blue sweater, and sneakers.
“Feeling better?” I ask, the sickening photos, still fresh in my mind, making my voice hoarse.
“Yeah. Your turn.” She glances at me, and I keep the smile on my face, praying she doesn’t pick up on anything. Her eyes lock on my face, then she turns her body to me, and worried my act isn’t fooling her, I quickly walk into the bathroom.
“Ethan.”
I stop, my muscles tensing.
“Are you going to be okay at work after staying up all night?”
I let out a relieved breath, my body relaxing. “Sure. I’m only going in to talk to Barb and Carl, then we’re coming home.”
I hear her move closer and reach into the shower to switch the faucets on.
“You’re going to take time off from work?”
I nod, then glance at Finlay. Her eyebrows draw together with worry. “I don’t want to disrupt your whole life.”