Derek looks at Savi. “Will you be okay?”Really?
She nods, running her hand through her hair.
“Why are you here with him?” Cole nearly shouts at her. “Do you know how this looks?”
“What are—?”
“First you run off at Zack’s, leaving Paul to hunt you down, leaving Abigail unprotected because, what, you wanted a fucking pastry? Then I find you down here with Derek whispering in the dark. What the fuck is going on?”
“No! It’s not—”
“You know what, never mind. I don’t want to fucking hear it, Savi. Start using your fucking head, and think about someone else for a change.”
She flinches and her gaze drops to the floor. “Can I speak now?”
“No.” His jaw twitches as he tries to hold back his anger. “You should probably go upstairs now.” He watches her turn on her heel and stomp up the stairs.
Mark comes around the corner. “Wow,” he whispers.
“Shut up.”
“That was harsh, Cole. She’s one of the most selfless people I know.”
“Fuck!” Cole rubs his face. Today’s events have his emotions all over the place.
Savannah
I head up through the dining room and out to the patio. I need some fresh air badly. As I pace the snowy deck, trying to catch my breath and soothe my hurt feelings, the last ten minutes loop over and over in my head until I’m breathing harder and start to see spots. My hands clutch at my stomach as I try to calm myself—shit, shit, shit!
“Savi?” Derek calls, slipping out the door. “You okay? What’s happening?”
“I just need a minute.” I hold my hand up. Between Cole’s words and possibly seeing Jose today, I am about to toss my dinner. I squat down into a ball, covering my head with my arms as a vivid memory hits me.
“Eat,perra!” the fat man shouts at me, jamming a roll at my mouth. “Eat, or you’ll get my fist again.”
I shudder. Was that really him in town, or am I losing my mind?
Derek’s footsteps echo as he comes closer. He doesn’t speak but simply puts a hand on my shoulder, a friendly gesture to let me know I’m not alone.
I take the comfort and let my stomach settle. After a few moments, he goes back inside, and I stand, breathing through my nerves, and head for the door.
I find Keith talking to John.
“Keith,” I say, “can I speak with you?”
“Sure thing,” he replies, and we walk off to the side.
“Since Cole is too busy yelling at me to listen, will you let him know the reason I walked off today is because I thought I saw Jose Jorge?”
Keith’s face falls. “Yeah, okay,” he replies. As he shoots off toward his office, I make my way up to my room.
My eyes pop open at five. It takes me a moment to realize I’m not back in my prison. I shower and get dressed and head downstairs, where I light the fireplace and lie on the floor near Scoot. He curls into my stomach as I lie on my side, my head resting on my arm. He must have been up late, because I’m not getting hounded to scratch his tummy. Closing my eyes and listening to his soft purr relaxes me.
“What do we know so far?” I hear someone say as I drag myself from my sleepy state.
“Just that he was standing outside of Zack’s.” Cole is speaking from the kitchen.
“Okay, where is she now?”