Page 50 of Obey

He gives a single nod, as though confirming something to himself. Jace looks ready to argue, but Nate says nothing. Neither of them challenges Elias.

That's my out.

I bolt through the door and stumble onto the empty executive floor, hands shaking so badly I nearly miss the elevator button.

I don’t look back.

One more glimpse of them and I’ll break.

thirteen

Fracture Line

Her absence fills the room like smoke, and I swear I can still feel the heat of her against my leg.

“Goddammit!” Jace drags a hand down his face, dislodging several dark curls across his forehead. “She was right there, Eli. Six fucking months of wanting her, and you just let her walk out that door!”

Nate stands behind his desk, loosening his tie with one measured tug. His expression gives nothing away, but I know that look. He's furious.

I lean against the wall and cross my arms. They can be pissed at me all they want. One of us needs to keep his head.

“What I saw wasn't surrender,” I tell them. “It was panic.”

Nate remove his jacket as he slowly lifts his gaze to mine. “So your solution was to let her go?”

“She was two seconds away from falling apart, Nathaniel. What exactly did you expect me to do?”

“I expected you to remember how long we've been trying to get through to her.”

“And I expected us to recognize when we'd pushed far enough.”

His jaw tightens, but he doesn't respond.

Jace kicks the leg of a chair before rounding on me. “You don't think letting her run out of here did more damage? She probably fucking hates us now.”

“No, she doesn't.”

“You don't know that, Eli.”

“Neither do you.” I uncross my arms. “I was the one holding her when she finally broke. You think I didn't feel her shaking?”

For a moment, Jace has nothing to say. He looks toward the door, his frustration giving way to something I recognize immediately.

Fear.

“We were so fucking close,” he mutters.

“I know.”

“No, I don't think you do. She was finally letting herself feel something, and you—”

“First rule.”

His mouth snaps shut. I wait, giving him the opportunity to remember it himself, but he only glares at me.

“Don't make me repeat myself, Pup.”

“Coercion isn't consent. Anything less than an enthusiastic yes means no.” He practically spits the words before dragging both hands down his face. “I know the fucking rule, Elias.”