Maybe she should just stay away from men altogether.
Zander glanced down at the suitcase and froze for a moment. Something crossed his face. Something that looked like pain. She frowned, not understanding his reaction. Surely he was relieved that she was leaving?
“You packed.”
“Yes,” she whispered in a raw voice, unable to speak any louder. Her whole body was tense, tight like a string about to snap.
His gaze moved to Joseph Herbert, then the eReader lying on the table. He moved to the closet. “You’re not taking the things I bought you.”
“They’re not mine,” she whispered.
“They are,” he snapped.
She jumped, staring at him.
“But I understand if you don’t want any reminders of me.”
Huh? What was he talking about? Why wouldn’t she want reminders of him?
“What do you mean?”
“After what I did. I understand you would want to leave and forget me.” He set a small black bag down next to the suitcase. “There is money in there. For you.”
“Money?”
“You’ll need some money. Eli is readying a car for you. Do you know how to drive?”
“N-no,” she whispered.
He frowned. “Then Eli will drive you wherever you wish to go. It would be best if you took the phone, we’ll fix it so you can use it. It’s not to track you, but when we find your sister, we’ll need a way of contacting you.”
Her mind was reeling. She couldn’t seem to grab one thought and hold on to it. “She’s still alive?”
“Miles is trying to find out. There’s been no mention of her death. So it could be that she’s still alive.”
Her breath whooshed out of her. But if she was alive, where was she? And how was Keira going to find her? The idea of trying to track Angie, of attempting to do it all on own her was overwhelming and tears started dripping down her face.
“When we get to the vehicle bay, I need you to put on this blindfold. It’s to protect my team, not because I don’t trust you.”
But he didn’t trust her, right? He didn’t want her. He couldn’t even look at her.
“Do you hate me, Zander?” she whispered.
He turned to her, his eyes widening. “Hate you?”
“I know I must d-disgust you. I don’t b-blame you for wanting m-me gone. Why would you w-want someone like m-me?” A full body sob rocked her, and she had to wrap her arms around herself to try and keep from completely falling apart. She couldn’t do it. She didn’t know how she could leave him.
It was bizarre, and she still worried that there was something messed up inside her. But she didn’t want to go.
“Why are you crying? I thought you wanted to leave?”
“Why would I want to leave?” she asked.
“Because I kidnapped you, I was keeping you prisoner for my own needs. And now, you’re free.”
“You . . . you’re . . . I don’t understand. D-don’t you want m-me to leave?”
“No. Why would I want that? I’ve . . . I feel things for you, Keira.”