We complete each other.
We will find the answers we’re searching for.
We will protect each other.
We will love each other.
Forever.
“Are you hungry?” I ask as we lie in our afterglow. “I didn’t feed you.”
“You know? Now that I’ve talked about this with you, I do think I could eat.”
“What sounds good? Room service has a full menu.”
“I don’t know. Salmon maybe?”
“Sounds great.” I get on the phone and order two salmon dinners and a couple of Diet Cokes. “Should be here in about a half hour. Now what could we do between now and then?”
She giggles. “I love you, Donny, but I’m not sure I’m up for anything more until I find out for sure whether that thumb drive is empty.”
“You can call Rory.”
“What time is it?”
“About eight thirty.”
“Great. Not too late. I think I will give her a call.”
“All right. I’ll give you some privacy. I’ll use the facilities.”
She smiles and nods, though her eyes still have a far-off, haunted look.
“It doesn’t matter, Callie. Whatever happens, we will get through this together. I will protect you.”
“I know you can protect me. I’m more worried about Rory. She was legal age when those photos were taken.”
“Callie, I promise you that I will die before I let any harm come to you or to Rory.”
I head to the bathroom then, secure in those words that I mean with every ounce of my being.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CALLIE
My breath catches as I call Rory.
“Hey, Cal,” she says into my ear. Her voice cracks a little.
She’s freaked too.
Uh-oh.
“Hey. Don’t tell me… You listened to the thumb drive.”
“I did.”
“And it’s blank, right?”