Page 180 of Perfect Liar

“Well?” I asked.

Jess interjected before Ben could say anything else.

“Oh for God’s sake! Just tell her everything or I will.”

His dark eyes darted across the bed to Jess, then back to me.

“Christ, Ellie, you should be in England. Do you understand how your reckless behavior could fuck up his entire plan?”

My head still pounded a little. I rubbed my temples.

“Save the lecture. I answer to Will only, and if he’s upset with me, that’s our business. And maybe if I had known the plan…but right now, I would like to know where he is and why you left him alone.”

“Isn’t that quite rich coming from you. You flew across the Atlantic—alone.”

“Maybe I screwed up, but it’s too late to change that, so let’s just move on. Please tell me what’s going on.”

Jess cleared her throat and tapped her foot to warn him.

He glared at her again before turning back to me.

“Jack Lewis and Charles Green are here. Remember what Will’s uncle Robert said?”

“Yes…and Thomas said Charles and his brothers were paid to spy on us. But why would they come to Connecticut when they clearly knew we were in the UK?”

“They’re searching public records, your house, looking for connections to something or someone, because they assumed it might draw you back. They know Will doesn’t have the same resources here as he does in the UK. And here you fucking are.”

“You know, Ben, when I’m kept in the dark, how can I know just where the hell I’m actually supposed to be?”

He nodded.

“All right, that’s quite fair enough. Long story short, they came over with some hired guns. Will’s watching their movements now.”

“Go back to him. I don’t want him to be alone.”

“I agree. We have eyes on them, and now you, but he still ordered me to be here with you.”

Will out there by himself again, it broke our agreement. I couldn’t be angry with him because I had forced his hand by leaving Eastridge, breaking my word to him first.

“When do you think I can see him?” I asked.

“I don’t know…let’s see…he’s quite fucking busy right now, don’t you think?”

Ben shifting between anger and insolence aggravated me.

I inhaled deeply, drawing in more strength.

“You don’t have to be mean about it, Ben. I’m worried about him. I love him, damn it, and it’s reasonable for me to want to see that he’s safe. You could literally put yourself in my position for a minute to get that.”

After staring at the carpet for a minute, Ben moved his attention back to me.

“You’re right. It’s not helpful, but it is reasonable. I’m sorry. I’m worried too. Christ, he’s mad when it comes to protecting you, but that’s not your fault…none of this is your fault. But listen, let him keep his distance for now. They’re aware he’s here, and he doesn’t want to lead them to you.”

I nodded.

“Give me a minute to get dressed, and I’ll meet you guys downstairs.”

After throwing on clean clothes, brushing my teeth, and pulling my hair into a ponytail, I went down to find them, determined to take charge in Will’s absence.