34

I opened the door to my apartment and held my breath as I glanced around the living space. It was empty and silence rung in my ears. I let out a sigh of relief as I tossed my suitcase down and walked over toward the futon. I sat down, laying my head back as I closed my eyes.

Footsteps snapped my eyes open as I lifted my head and turned toward the kitchen. My heart pounded furiously in my chest and nearly chocked me as Ace meandered lazily from the kitchen toward me.

“The spa, huh?” he drew out casually as he approached me.

My entire body began to shake violently as my breath was shaky and a wave of light-headedness overcame me. Had he seen? Of course he had seen! The look of simmering rage upon his face told me the answer. He had seen Alaric drop me off. His eyes weren’t bloodshot though. He had no tell tale signs of drug use. So he wouldn’t hurt me. He never hurt me except when he was under the influence of drugs.

“He paid me, Ace” I said in a weaker voice than intended. “I wanted