Chapter 15 Get Out
Lesley’s POV
I stood at the front door, suitcase in hand, ready to leave when Vincent’s voice broke through.
“Just stay till morning, Lesley,” he said, voice quiet, careful. Like he was walking barefoot over broken glass. “It will be safer in daylight.“}] Safer? The irony.”
I turned to him, arms folded across my chest. “You gave him my name, Vincent. You gave him my life.“”
“I didn’t know…“N
“No,” I cut him off. “You didn’t think.”
He opened his mouth to argue, but I turned my back already.”
I slept in the guest room. Or tried to. My body refused rest, I was tossing and turning all night.”
James.
The name alone made my chest feel like an anxiety attack.M
He was dead. He was supposed to be dead.N
But now he wasn’t.N
And that changes everything.
By the time it was morning, Vincent was gone.N
Coward.&
I locked the front door out of habit, though it didn’t matter anymore.
I was halfway down the hall with my bag when the knock came.
Three times. Firm. No hesitation.”
I froze. My heart pounding. It couldn’t be.
But I already knew it was.
I walked towards the door. And then I opened it.
James.[
Alive. Standing there like he hadn’t shattered my world and vanished into thin air all those years ago.
Same eyes. Same crooked smile. However did I fall for this? I found myself asking.
His suit was black. Neat. Unlike his appearance.
“Lesley,” he said. “Miss me?”
I should’ve slammed the door. I should’ve screamed.
Instead, I stood there, barely breathing.”
“I just need a few minutes to talk to you,” he said.”
I swallowed the fear in my throat. “You shouldn’t be here.“}]
“I don’t care.” He stepped closer, and I stiffened.”
“No.”
His eyes darkened just slightly. “Lesley…”
I knew that tone. It was his ‘if you know what’s good for you, you’ll listen to me‘ tone.
“Ten minutes,” I said, voice firm. “Then you leave.“}]
He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.!!
“Ten minutes is all I need.”
I stepped aside.
And let the past walk straight into the house.”
He walked in like he belonged.”
Like no time had passed.
Like he hadn’t left me.!!
James didn’t sit. He stood in the middle of the living room, scanning the place like danger would happen at anytime.”
“Start talking,” I said, arms crossed, but scared beyond words.!!
“You look good,” he said.
I didn’t answer.
He sighed. “I know you’ve got questions. I owe you the truth.“>>
“The truth?” I laughed, short and sharp. “That you faked your death? Vanished without a word? Yeah, James, I’ve got a few questions.“}
“I didn’t fake anything.” His jaw clenched. “They came for me, Lesley. People I crossed a long time ago. I had to disappear or they would kill me. And anyone close to me.”
I didn’t want to believe him. But the way he said it, it was too calm.”
“They?” I asked, my breath caught.
“He found out about you,” James continued, voice low. “Used you to get to me. That’s why I had to vanish. It was the only way to keep you safe.”
I narrowed my eyes, “Who is he exactly?!”
wanted to believe him. To let myself fall into the fantasy that he left to protect me.”
But I wasn’t that girl anymore.“]
“What!?” I snapped when he didn’t answer. “Why come back now?““>
“Because he’s coming for you.”
“He’s been watching you, Lesley. I’ve been following him. Tracking his moves. He’s closer than ever.” His jaw clenched. “I couldn’t….” He leaned forward, elbows on knees, eyes locked on mine. “A man named Corven. Dangerous. Wealthy. Connected to things that never make the news. He wanted leverage. Thought he could use you to get to me. That’s why I left…why I had to stay gone.”
I took a step back before I could stop myself.
He noticed.
“I’ve been keeping tabs on you,” he continued, quieter now. “Staying close enough to make sure you were safe. But something changed. Corven found out you were still important to me. That’s why I had to come back. He’s circling back, Lesley.“}]
My skin crawled.
“What the hell?”
All this time, I thought! was free. Moving on. Healing. But he was there. Watching…
“You tracked me?”
“I protected you.”[
“No, James,” I snapped. “You stalked me. You watched me live my life without you. You let me grieve you. You let me break. And now you’re here, talking about enemies and threats and how I’m just… what? A pawn?”
He stood, too fast. “It’s not like that.“>
“Then what is it? Wait, you used Vincent!” it dawned on me.
Vincent never wanted to betray me. The guy was the nicest person to walk the earth and I make him out to be this bad guy.
“What have I done?” But one thing at a time.>
He paused. And then, as if it was the most reasonable thing in the world, said, “The only way to keep you safe is if we’re together again. I can control the variables that way. You’ll be under my protection.”
I stared at him.[
And then I laughed.
Loud, bitter, ugly.
“This whole thing,” I said, shaking my head, “was just a twisted ploy to get me back. Wasn’t it? You and your ‘powerful enemy‘ and your nobie little sacrifice.“D
His expression hardened. “You think I would make this up?“>
“I know you would.”
I walked to the door and yanked it open. “Get out, James.“}
“Lesley.”
“Get out before I stop feeling scared and start getting reckless.“>
He didn’t move at first.
Then his jaw tightened, and he stepped past me, pausing just outside the door. Uh uh, not a good sign.
“I’ll be back for you,” he said. “No matter what.“”
Then he was gone and my mistake was realized.}]
I need to apologize to Vincent.
1247 PM d
