Extortion (Controlling Interest Book 2) by Amelia Wilde

Author:Amelia Wilde [Wilde, Amelia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dangerous Press
Published: 2022-10-24T18:30:00+00:00

15

BRISTOL

The next thing I’m aware of is moving.

It doesn’t bother me. Not more than my throat. That still hurts, but I’m half-asleep, so I have a little distance, at least. The key is to remember not to swallow. Eventually I have to, though, otherwise I’ll drown in my own spit. I do it as carefully as I can. It’s like having a lump in my throat that’s made of pocketknives. Tiny blades, all of them ridiculously sharp.

I must make some sound, because someone pats my thigh. A big, warm hand. “We’re almost there.”

Where? My bedroom? That would be great. I’m so tired, and God, it’s hot.

The movement stops.

“Okay.” Will’s voice is close, and a hundred knots all through my body release. My neck is sore, but the seat underneath me is soft and it smells like a new car and him, so it’s okay. “Grab your backpacks. Guy outside the SUV is the valet for my building. You can stand next to him while I get Bristol out.”

Then Mia, somehow hovering over me. “What if she can’t walk? She fell over in the kitchen.”

“She’s not going to walk. I’m going to carry her.”

“You’re sure you won’t drop her?” Skepticism enters Mia’s voice.

“I carried her to the car in the first place, didn’t I?”

“Yeah, but…you could be tired from driving.”

She must look worried, because Will’s voice softens. “I’m not tired from driving. Go stand with Ben and the valet, and I’ll get Bristol. Remember that elevator you came up in last time you were here?”

“Yes.”

“That’s where we’re going. Elevator. Upstairs. My apartment. I had somebody set out the laptops for you.”

“What about school?”

“I’ll call the school.”

“I was going to go back. I was going to take us both back. My teacher’s probably going to be mad.”

“I’ll explain it to her. She’ll listen to me.”

“Why, because you’re a man?” A genuine question from Mia.

“What would that have to do with anything?”

“Boys can get away with all kinds of stuff.”

“Mia.” He hasn’t once sounded impatient. “I think Bristol would be a lot more comfortable upstairs. Think we can head up there and talk after?”

A beat passes. “Okay. But are you sure I’m not going to get in trouble? My teacher already doesn’t like me that much.”

“I promise you will not get in trouble.”

“Most people don’t like me that much, except Ben.”

My heart breaks. I want to give Mia a hug, but my head weighs a ton and my throat—ah. Mistake.

“Most people don’t like me that much, either,” Will says.

“They don’t?”

“No. They want me to be nicer. And care about different things than I do.”

“They want you to be somebody different,” Mia whispers.

“I think so, yeah.”

“Well.” There’s a shuffling sound. “I like you.”

“I like you, too. Want to go inside and play Minecraft?”

There’s a blur of sound. A car door opening, then shutting. A man’s voice muffled by the glass. A closer door pops open and a fresh breeze sweeps over my skin.

“Bristol.” He touches my face. Between the breeze and that soft, careful touch, I manage to open my eyes.

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