Page 174 of Perfect Liar

“Good. We agree. Yeah, all right…but you call her today.”

I covered my gaping mouth and caught myself on the doorframe.

Thomas heard me and turned around.

“Wait in the other room for me, Ellie.”

I shook my head, crossing the room. Because I knew he was talking to Will.

“Give me the phone, Thomas. Let me talk to him.”

Will’s curses into Thomas’s ear were loud enough for me to hear.

Thomas handed me his phone.

The sound of Will’s voice crashed into me when I heard him say my name. I closed my eyes and exhaled heavily.

“Say something, baby. Let me hear your voice,” Will said.

“Please say you’re coming home.”

“I’m not quite finished but soon. I’ll be home soon, Elle.”

“If you can’t come home, then let me come to you.”

“You will stay at Eastridge.”

“No, I can’t. Not without you.”

“You can and you will. I’ll call you at night.”

But I needed someone out there with him. If not me, then?—

“Ben…send for him to come to you,” I blurted.

“No, I want him there with the team to protect you.”

“Will, please. I have your brothers and five other men.”

“Elle, listen carefully?—”

“—no, Will. I won’t listen. I need to know someone is with you, and you must give that to me. I’ll accept nothing less from you.”

He got quiet for a minute, thoughtful, while breathing into the phone. I ached to feel that warmth on my skin.

“You swore to me, Will. You said you would never shut me out again.”

“I know. I did. Promise me you’ll stay put until I get home.”

“Promise me you’ll come home.”

“I’ll always come back to you, baby.”

“And you’ll send for Ben right now and call me every night?”

He sighed, cursed my name, and I knew he was smiling.

“All right, baby, for you. Thomas will give you a burner, and I’ll ring you later.”