Page 299 of The Heart You Kept

“Hermione just tried to kill me.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

EDWARD

“What?” I pant, still trying to catch my breath. It wouldn’t surprise me if I’m about to have a heart attack here….

“I thought it was a random accident yesterday but then it happened again this morning.” She screws up her face in tears. “I didn’t know what to do or where to go,” she stammers as she looks around, her eyes darting along the marina.

“Slow down,” I snap. “What happened?”

“Last night when I was crossing the street a car nearly hit me and I thought it was just a crazy driver, you know.”

“How did a car nearly hit you?”

“I was standing on the corner waiting to cross the road and a car veered off the road and went up onto the curb. Missed me by inches and it rattled me, but I thought nothing of it.”

“Okay.” I listen with my hands on my hips. “It probably was an accident.”

“It just happened again, except this time they targeted me and chased me until I ran into a store.”

I stare at her as I imagine the scenario. “Did you see who was driving?”

“They were wearing a black ski mask.” She begins to pace back and forth. “It’s Hermione, she’s going to kill me.”

“It’s not fucking Hermione.” I roll my eyes. “She’s not capable of running someone over, she won’t even swat a fly.”

“She’s hired a hit on me, then.”

Car tires screech from the street and she ducks for cover, her face screwed up. “Argh,” she cries.

“Jesus.” I grab her arm. “Calm down, you’re a nervous wreck.”

She falls against my chest in tears.

“You’re safe.” I pull away from her and grab a towel and wrap it around my shoulders. “Come inside.” I pick up my T-shirt and she follows me inside and I glance around.

Hmm…. I don’t want her in my personal space.

“Up to my office.” I take the stairs as she follows. “Take a seat.” I throw on my T-shirt and catch sight of my blood-red face in the mirror, fucking hell.

“So what happened?” I pour two glasses of water. “Have you spoken to anyone or done anything since I saw you on Saturday night?”

Her face falls as she stares at me. “Oh my god, of course. It was Theodore, wasn’t it?”

“What?”

“He hired the hit.”

“Nobody has hired a hit, you nutcase.” I take a sip of water. “Although…. You are fucking asking for trouble with the bullshit threats to everyone. It’s only a matter of time.”

“Oh my god.” She puts her head into her hands. “What am I going to do?”

“It will be fine.”

“You have to protect me,” she stammers. “This is all because of you, you have to give me some guards.”

“Firstly, this isn’t because of me. Let’s get that absolutely straight from the get-go. I have done nothing but respect you and treat you well. You started this blackmailing bullshit with Hermione, and let me tell you, I saw her father recently and he is not fucking happy.”