Page 38 of Ache
Just as I make it to the front door, I notice the crumpled-up pink paper on the floor. I scoop it up, stick it in my pocket, and leave.
My emotions fracturing from the pain of the past, the felicity of the present, and uncertainty of the future.
17
Alec
I’ve texted Everly twice this morning with no reply.
I had to go straight to the courthouse, so I wasn't able to catch her in the office, which totally sucks since I’ve grown accustomed to her greeting me straight out of the elevators every morning.
I hurry down the stone courthouse stairs and to one of the firm’s Town Cars waiting on Worth Street. I hop into the back seat and find a surprise. The woman who had stopped me on the street a few days ago is perched comfortably behind the front seat.
“Hello again, Mr. Prescott.”
“What the fuck —”
“Everyone has a price. The driver is taking a walk,” she smirks darkly. “So we could have some privacy.”
I leer.That driveris so fired.
“You have three seconds to get out of this car.”
“Or what? You’re going to scream? Yell fire?” She pokes fun at me.
“I’m not sure you know who I am —”
“Oh, I know exactly who you are, Mr. Prescott. A poor boy from upstate New York who worked his ass off to pay for an Ivy League education and land a high-profile job in New York. It’s like a fairytale. The pauper has become the prince. Your parents must be so proud.”
“They are.” I snarl. “Now what the fuck do you want?”
“You, Mr. Prescott. You have come to be extremely valuable to me.”
“Valuable how?”
“You are very close to someone. Someone I need to get close to.”
“Everly.” I already know the answer.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Not your concern. But I need you to deliver her.”
“Deliver her? She’s not a goddamn package.”
“She’s important to both of us.”
“I highly doubt that. I won’t do a goddamn thing until you tell me what you want from her.”
“That’s between me and her.”
“Well, then, you’re going to have to find another way to contact her. Get out—”
“Mr. Prescott, you care for Everly, do you not?”
I pause, biting my tongue.Of course, I love her.“We have a working relationship.”
