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“I don’t deal with drug addicts,” I reply, fighting to keep the anger out of my tone. Because if he hears it? He will absolutely know something else is going on. Something so deep that, if I tried to open it up, I’d bleed out.
“Anastasia went to see her today. She hasn’t gone through any withdrawals.”
“Then that just means she wasn’t using it long enough.”
“Which—if she did steal and take those—means it was a rash decision, not a repeated behavior.”
“Doesn’t change anything.” The all-too-familiar tightness in my chest returns, and I turn away from him to climb beneath the ropes of the boxing ring.
“Look, I’m not trying to convince you of anything—”
“You sure about that?” I question as he follows me in. “Because it seems to me you’re trying to convince me of a whole lot.”
He’s quiet for a moment. “If she is in danger, Tank, then she doesn’t even remember who she’s supposed to be afraid of.”
His words hit their intended target.
Because logically, I don’t think she drove herself into that river at all.
But emotionally? I’m not sure I can keep myself objective. Something about her has rattled me. And I don’t let myself get rattled. Survival often depends on that.
“Look, I’m not trying to pressure you. I’ve just never seen you react this way to someone before, and it’s—intriguing.”
“I pulled her out of the river. That’s it.”
I am haunted by the way she’d looked so pale and lifeless in my arms.
All I can think about is what would have happened if I hadn’t found her.
Her mossy green eyes are branded into my memory.
Zane chuckles. “Sure thing, brother.”
Frustration eats away at me. I come to the gym not to talk. Yet here we are, with Zane chipping away at a door I never intend to open.
Not today.
Not tomorrow.
Not ever.
I will die with the secrets I carry.
“We going to box or keep prying into my personal life?”
“I don’t know enough about your personal life to pry,” Zane replies. “But a friend can try, can’t he?”
Chapter 7
Dahlia
Stormwatch Landing is one of those towns you see in Hallmark movies, yet you don’t dare to believe they actually exist. The entire main street faces the marina, where sailing and fishing boats sway softly on the glistening water.
Main street is made up of old houses, with most of the buildings having been transformed into boutiques or small restaurants.
It’s absolutely adorable. If I weren’t currently missing a chunk of my life, I might want to explore a bit. Maybe find some antique shops and see what treasures I can find. Antiquing was a favorite hobby for my grandfather and me after we lost Grandma and Mom.
I haven’t been able to go since he passed, but maybe it’s time.
