Page 86 of Adam & Eve

massaged my temples until some of the pounding in my head alleviated. This was not how I expected

my day to turn out.

I was supposed to be meeting Michael to discuss a permanent move from Florida. When I

reopened eyes, the first thing I did was search the sidewalk outside the diner for him. It was two in

the afternoon according to the clocks in the diner. He and I were supposed to meet at two o’clock.

He was never late. It sucked that today would be his first time. I needed him. I sent out a silent prayer

asking God or whatever other deity that was listening to send him to save me, then I took it back.

Adam was my mess to deal with. I wouldn’t drag Michael any further into my messed-up situation.

He’d already helped me enough the past few months,

The day after Adam let me go, Michael was the first call I made. I needed to know he was

okay. In the back of my mind, I always wondered if Adam had actually killed him. When he answered

the phone, I’d felt so relieved, but in the same instant I felt guilty for thinking the worst of Adam. He

hadn’t hurt me. Why would I think he’d killed someone?

After the shock wore off, the flood gates opened. I broke down and told him everything. He

begged me to call the police, but I didn’t want to go that route. Who would believe me? Adam’s

family, the Winchesters, were rich, powerful and white. I was some poor black girl who’d grown up

in foster care. I’d come off looking like a nut job, and Adam would have an easier time finding me. I

left well-enough alone. I had money, and I had my freedom. That was enough.

When Michael couldn’t convince me to go to the police, he offered to help me. He suggested I

move from Tampa to Miami. He used his connections to keep me off Adam’s radar. He’d been my

rock ever since. Every weekend he’d make the five-hour drive to visit me and help me prepare for

my future. He was a true friend.

“Eve,” Adam calling my name again snatched me out of my thoughts. “Were you ever going to

tell me?”

It was a simple question with a complicated answer. No, I wasn’t or maybe I was. I really

didn’t know. I thought it but kept my mouth closed. It was not the time for me to tell him the

unadulterated truth. That never seemed to do much other than piss him off.

“Answer my fucking question, Eve.”

I faced away from him. “I don’t want to talk about this right now, Adam.”

He reached over the table and clasped my jaw within his warm palm and made me look at