“What about Kem? Is he enjoying himself?”
“He really is. He’s been such a sweetie. He’s making me love him even more.”
“That’s amazing.” I cradle the phone close to my ear, smiling happily. “I’m so happy for you.”
“So, what’s going on with you? Is this a call that you need me and I’m blabbering on?”
“Actually no.” I swell with pride, knowing that I handled this alone. “I don’t need you. I just called to let you know that things took a bad turn last night with Jeremy.”
“Oh, no.” Her voice turns very serious. “Has he done something terrible?”
“It doesn’t matter what happened. I got out before things could go really wrong.”
“What do you mean, you got out? I don’t understand…”
“I’m no longer at the house, I couldn’t stay there anymore, it got way too much.”
“Wait a minute, stop right there.” Clara sucks in a couple of breaths. “Jeremy has done some terrible things to you in the past and you’ve stayed, so I know there’s something you aren’t telling me here.”
“I just don’t want to worry you, that’s all. I have it all under control.”
“Screw that. You tell me what’s going on right now. Don’t leave anything out.”
“Okay.” I nod to myself, trying to recall all the details. “Well, Jeremy was in the last night. More than usual, and he freaked out. He ended up shutting me in the cupboard under the stairs…”
“What the fuck? Do you know how messed up that sounds? He locked you in a cupboard.”
“I do know, which is why I got out. I couldn’t take it anymore. He didn’t lock me, but it was bad enough.”
“So, you are out now? There isn’t any way of him getting to you?” I make an agreeable sound. “So, what happened? Where did you go? How did you manage to sneak away from him?”
“I called the lawyer to come and save me.”
She pauses for a beat too long. “You did what? Zane Black came to get you?”
“Well, you were at the airport and I didn’t want to wreck your trip, so I called the only other person who could help me. I know it seems a bit mental now, but in the heat of the moment, I didn’t know what else to do.”
“Holy hell… I don’t know what to say to that… did he take you to the charity housing?”
I bite down on my bottom lip, unsure how she’s going to take this next part. “Actually, he took me to his home. I didn’t want to go to any charity place because I thought Jeremy might find me and he was mad already.”
“So… you’re at his house right now? At the lawyer’s house? That’s… wow.”
“Yes…” She doesn’t sound sure about this at all. Maybe I shouldn’t mention the fact that we slept together. That’s probably something I should keep as a delicious little secret just for me. She might think it came from nowhere, she won’t understand that I’ve been lusting after him for a long time. “I am. Just until I get sorted.”
I want to tell her that he’s my hero, that I need him right now, but I think that might be another conversation best to have face to face. I can make her really see then that this isn’t a big mistake. Just another one to add to the list I have already made. It’s okay, Clara will get it soon enough.
“Well, once I get back you can come and stay with me, okay? I’ll keep you safe.”
I could argue that’s the first place he’ll look, but it isn’t the time or place. Instead, I simply agree and reassure her that I know what I’m doing and that I’m being very careful. We eventually roll into goodbyes and hanging up. I’m sure she will be troubled, but I hope that I’ve calmed her down enough so that she can enjoy the rest of her trip. I never wanted to disturb that. I only wanted her to know where I am.
Her fears are unfounded anyway. I do know what I’m doing, this is right. This is better than being at home anyway, and right now, keeping the hell away from Jeremy is the most important thing.
Oh God, I wonder what Jeremy is doing right now. I bet he’s utterly fuming. I don’t know if he would have gone to the police or not, he might be too worried about what people will think about him for that. He’ll be raging at the very least. If he comes for me, then I don’t know what will happen. It’ll sure as hell be dangerous though.
I know they have procedures and things in place at the charity housing to make sure no one can get to the victims they are protecting, but I must admit that I still feel much better here. I’m sure he won’t know Zane, never mind where he lives. Plus, he has a lot of security in place. CCT
V, alarms, that sort of thing. I feel safe here. Even without Zane around, I can sense him protecting me, even from afar.