by Alex Gates
Not really. Ben’s handling the paperwork.
It was the truth—and a deserved penance for lying to me. Then again, he had hauled my frozen ass to the car and prevented me and Sophia from dying of hypothermia. We called it even.
Wanted to talk to you. I’m not coming back next weekend.
The phone dropped to the table. I was lucky I was near a chair or my butt would have fallen with it.
Not coming?
My heart ached. This was how he planned to tell me he wasn’t coming home? Via text? I couldn’t hear his voice. Couldn’t sense his mood. Couldn’t tell if this was the end.
He wouldn’t break my heart over a text.
Or maybe he would. Hell, I deserved worse.
I debated on what to send back. I hoped to see you. Is something wrong?
His text sent immediately. Check your email.
Great. A Dear John email. He couldn’t even call me. My head throbbed, a lingering pain from the concussion. At least it distracted me from the breaking of my heart.
My phone dinged with a new email. I opened it.
And smiled.
A confirmation for airline tickets? Pittsburgh to Dulles.
James texted again. You’re coming to me this time. Figure the hero gets some time off after the big case. You can prove your love via TSA this time.
My fingers trembled over the keyboard. I blinked away a tear. I think I can manage that. Did you get me a window seat?
Yes, but you’re on your own for the Xanax.
Overcoming a slight phobia of flying? Worth it if it meant I got to see him.
I lowered the phone and reached for the flowers. The scarlet ribbon was almost too pretty to tug away, but I wanted to see what he’d sent me.
A dozen red roses rested on cream tissue paper. I decided I liked them. Roses might have been pretty at a wedding. No reason I couldn’t have them.
Decision made. Not hard at all.
A note was tucked inside the box. I giggled again.
See you soon.
I texted James once more, sending him a picture of the pretty roses. Thanks for the flowers.
His text was delayed. My stomach dropped as the words blurred.
I didn’t send you flowers.
The box had no other information. I stepped away from the box.
A familiar dread clutched at my chest. I didn’t respond to his text. What was there to say except another goodbye?
The flowers weren’t sent by a stranger.
They came from him.
THE END
Coming December 23rd, 2017!
The Girl Who Escaped
Ten years ago, he took me.
Ten years ago, he tortured me.
Ten years ago, I fought my way to freedom.
And I thought I was safe.
It took ten years for me to realize the truth.
I never escaped.
He let me go.
And now...
He wants me back.
Also by Alex Gates
Girls In White Dresses
Only $.99 or Free with Kindle Unlimited!
A romantic evening of wine and roses ends in an apparent murder suicide, but the gruesome slaying wasn’t a crime of passion. Missing Persons Detective London McKenna links the killings to a fifteen-year-old kidnapping and uncovers a sinister conspiracy to murder those who would reveal the horrifying truth.
Runaway girls are being kidnapped and trafficked as child brides.
London races to save the young girls, but her investigation traps her inside a twisted world of perverted religion, bloody revenge, and the nightmares of her own captivity. With time running out and the captors desperate for their next bride, London must risk her own life to save the children and prevent the heinous weddings from becoming a mass funeral...
Hush Little Baby - Detective London McKenna Book 2
An abandoned baby. A corrupt judge. The case that will end London’s career…and her life.
Coming December 23rd, 2017!
The Girl Who Escaped
Ten years ago, he took me.
Ten years ago, he tortured me.
Ten years ago, I fought my way to freedom.
And I thought I was safe.
It took ten years for me to realize the truth.
I never escaped.
He let me go.
And now...
He wants me back.
Contact Alex Gates
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Alexandra
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