Page 21 of Theirs to Corrupt

“You’re willing to bet it’s not being watched?” Link asks.

Hating that he’s right again, I change tactics. After all, the last months have taught me to be resourceful. “I’ll call a ride.”If the service will pick me up without a credit card being on file.“Or you could take me to the bus station.”

“No.”Link snaps his response. “You’re staying, Tessa, fucking like it or not.”

Mutinously, furiously, I glare at Link. “You don’t get to tell me what to do.”

“Want to try me, little dove?”

Tension charges the air, crackling like lightning.

“Look…” Pax raises his hand. “It’s the middle of the night.” His tone is measured and calm. The voice of reason. “There’s not likely to be any buses running. You don’t want to sit there alone.” He waits for a beat. “You never know what could happen.”

Like he intended, my mind supplies a million scenarios.

What if Link and Pax hadn’t been there to save me earlier?

Defeated, I allow my shoulders to sink against the door.

“Stay tonight,” Pax says, even though Link scowls at him. “You can make a plan in the morning, when you’re rested.”

“I…”

“One night,” he repeats.

What choice do I really have?

“You’ll have your own room,” Pax goes on. “With a lock on the door.”

Link remains quiet, his jaw tight.

Much as I hate to admit it, Pax’s suggestion makes sense, and I should be grateful. Instead I feel trapped.

Suddenly the fight drains out of me, and I’m more exhausted than I ever remember being.

Even though I can’t form the words, I nod.

“You’ll stay?” Pax arches an eyebrow.

I clear my throat. “Yes.”

Relief flashes across both their faces, but Link hides the emotion quicker.

“I need to let my roommate know.”

“Roommate?” Pax asks, and the men exchange glances.

Once I find my phone, I text Natalie.

She doesn’t respond, which isn’t a surprise. When she’s cleaning the office building, she has to keep her phone in a locker.

Still, we have promised to keep each other updated if our plans ever change.

“We’ll show you around, so you’re more comfortable,” Pax says.

My cellphone battery is almost dead, and of course my charger is in the car. So I turn off the device and drop it into my purse, leaving it on the back of a chair where I can easily grab it on my way out the door in the morning.

“Shall we?” Pax invites.