Chapter 45 Chapter 45
I made sure I had all my papers and important documents. This backpack was the only thing I came into this apartment with, and I was leaving it just the same. I slung it over my shoulder and stood looking around the apartment. I turned the lights off as I walked out.
Zaiel
I was in the elevator heading out. Seth and Jared had texted earlier and asked if I wanted to go out, and I had declined, but I changed my mind. The elevator opened and she stepped in. She stopped when she saw me; she just sighed and rolled her eyes.
“It’s two in the morning; where are you going, firecracker?” I asked, looking at her.
“Firecracker?” she asked, looking at me.
I leaned back and smiled at her. “Yes, because that’s what you are. Who’s he?” I nodded at the man standing beside her. I knew he had to be a security detail.
“Leave Jax alone,” she said.
“So where are you going?” I asked again. She groaned as if I was bothering her.
“I’m going home, Zaiel,” she said.
“Home? I thought you lived here.”
“Nope, not anymore. I just want to go home and have a drink and sleep,” she said. She looked tired. She leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. I looked at her; there was a hickey on her neck. Someone marked her; I didn't figure her to have a man in her life. She opened her eyes and looked at me.
“Stop staring at me. Why are you walking around at two in the damn morning?” she asked.
“Because you’re walking around,” I said, and she stood up straight and looked at me. “Excuse me?” she said, and I just smiled. The elevator door opened, and she stepped out, followed by the man. I walked beside her as I went to my car; she was quiet.
“Firecracker?” She stopped and looked at me. "Be careful out there; see you when I see you," I said before getting into the car. She looked confused as hell.
Tessa
I just shook my head because Zaiel Rhyland made no sense to me. I got into the car, and Jax got into the driver’s seat. As we drove out of the parking garage, I took one last look at Athena Tower. This was the way it was supposed to be; I didn't belong in that tower. I was grateful to Kai for what he did, but I knew having him in my life would corrupt me. In just those few months, my life has completely changed, and not in a good way.
The drive back to Irvington was quiet; Jax didn't say a word. He didn't even look at me; maybe he was pissed that I wanted out and away from his boss.
When the car pulled up to the curb, I looked at my house; it looked so lonely. The lights were out; just the porch lights were on. Before I could get out of the car, Jax got out and opened the door for me. I got out and stood looking at the house.
I saw a car coming; the car pulled into my driveway, and Rob got out. I looked at him. He opened the trunk and pulled a box out and walked over to me and handed it to me. I looked at the box, then at him.
“Please,” he said. I took the box from him, and he placed the car keys and house keys on top of it. Jax placed a card on top of the box.
“Take care of yourself, and if you need help, it doesn't matter what; if you need help and don't want to ask anyone, then call us. You won't owe us anything,” Jax said.
“Thank you,” I said quietly. I watched as they got back into the SUV and drove off. I stared at the car until the taillights disappeared. I took my time going up the porch. I opened the door and stepped in. I flicked the lights on and just stood there. The house was clean; I didn't have to be scared anymore. I put the box down on the table and sat down and looked at it.
I opened the lid of the box and looked in. There was a new phone, a laptop, and an envelope. I picked it up and dumped the contents out onto the coffee table. My ID card, licenses, social security card, passport, and credit card. All Tessa Jansen, my original identity. This was my life. There was a smaller box and a smaller envelope. I lifted the smaller box out and opened it. It was full of 100 dollar bills.
I just shook my head. I opened the envelope, and it was a letter; he actually wrote a letter. I hesitated in reading it; I wondered what he could have had to say that he couldn't have said in person.
I opened the envelope reluctantly and pulled the paper out.
“I’m not sure if I know how to love, but obsessed is what I am. From the second I laid eyes on you, I became obsessed with you, everything about you. I want you safe, happy, content, and never having to be worried about anything. I care about you enough to let you have a life of your own. Your apartment in Athena Tower will always be there; it's yours. I'll give you what you want; if you need me, call me. And stay away from other men, beauty. - Kai
I started at the letter; he actually let me go. I folded the letter and put it back into the envelope. I put everything back into the box. I went to my room and put the box into the closet at the back. I took a shower and wore my clothes. I went to the kitchen and made myself a cup of coffee. I went back to my front porch and sat on the swing.
It was almost three in the morning, and for the first time in years, I could sit on my front porch and drink coffee freely, without a fear in the world. I grabbed the phone and sent a message to the one person I needed to explain everything to.
I sat there in the early morning quiet and drank my coffee. Twenty minutes later, the car pulled up to the curb. He got out and took his time walking up the porch; he sat beside me quietly.
“Aren’t you scared?” he asked, and a smile touched my lips.
“No, Ryan, I’m not. Alex is dead. It’s over.”
“What?” he asked, looking at me. Somehow he looked like he aged ten years in my absence.
“I told you to run the last time I saw you, and now your tormentor is dead?” he asked.
“Yes. When I came to the precinct the other night, I had just been brought back. The psycho brought me back and had me under lock and key; he killed him.”
“And have you found out who this new stalker is? , a name?” he asked.