BON Neither of us said a word as we walked back through the crumbling old lot . His hand never left my went . He didn't pull hard , but it was firm . Like he wasn't going to risk me running off again . The gravel crunched beneath our shoes , the only sound between us . I didn't know how on process why I just witnessed . When we got to to the car , he opened the door without a word , I climbed into the passenger seat slowly , my hands trembling , I kept my eyes forward . The silence was so heavy it rang in my ears . I shifted in my seat , pulled at the edge of the shirt I had on , glanced out the window , then dropped my mym to my Rick got in on the driver's side , closed the door gently , and just sat there . The air was thick . When he finally turned his head to look at me , I flinched hard , like someone had fired a gun beside my ear . He paused . His brow furrowed . " What the hell was that ? " he asked quietly , like I was a stranger . I didn't answer . My hands were clenched on my lap . " Why would you follow me ? " he asked , louder this time . " me . " Are you out of your mind ? Do you have any idea how dangerous that could've My eyes darted to him , then away . My mouth opened but no sound came out . " You don't sneak around people like that , Fiona . That place isn't a joke . You could've been killed . Do you understand that ? " His voice got harsher . The words slammed into my chest . I stared at the dashboard . " I told you to stay out of it . I told you to trust me . But instead you take it upon yourself to play detective ? " My head whipped toward him , " Because you won't tell me anything ! " He blinked . I snapped . " I'm the one that should be getting mad and angry here , the fuck ? and suddenly you have a whole damn secret world hidden underground " What am I supposed to do with that ? Smile and stay quiet ? ' He started the engine without answering leaned forward . " Rick What is going on ? What is this life you're living ? What are you doing with people like that ? " He pulled onto the road . His jaw tightened . Still no answer , I turned toward hem more fully , even though my stomach was twisted in knots . " How much of your he did not know about ? How many 13 He finally spoke . " What are you talking about ? You act like you've known me for years . I don't have time for distractions it pht now , drop in . " His voice was calm but fat . " You didn't ) up wi what I'm hiding My chest burred . Hooked down at my hands My fin how scary this was for me considering our pit together He continued driving , his eyes glued to the toad You don't know my past . You walked into my life recently , Fiona dug into each other . My heart was racing s 1/2 10:16 Wed , 27 Aug Chapter 50 Hooked at him . Really looked . The set of his jaw . The grip he had on the steering wheel . The storm he was holding back just under his Helt small . Like maybe I had stepped into something far bigger than I realized . But I wasn't going to let him make me feel crazy for caring . For asking . I turned to the window again and swallowed hard . My reflection stared back at me , pale and shaken . He didn't speak the he rest of the way . And I didn't dare say another word . I sat with Lena in the living room , trying to focus on the cartoons playing in front of us , but my mind was all over the place . She climbed into my lap with her usual sleepy weight , curling into me like she always did when she was winding down . I held her close , brushing her hair back from her face , pressing my lips to her forehead . My heart was heavy . " You okay , Mommy ? " she asked , her voice soft . I forced a smile and nodded . " Yeah , baby . I'm just tired . " Eventually , she fell asleep in my arms , I carried her to her room , tucked her under the covers , and sat beside her for a while , brushing her chec fingers . Watching her breathe . The quiet rise and fall of her chest calmed something in me . For a moment . But the weight in my chest returned the second I stepped out of her room . I made my way down the hall , barefoot , quiet , heart pounding I needed answers . I needed to know where I stood . The light from Rick's study spilled into the hallway . I paused for a second before pushing the door open and stepping in . He was there , leaning agar his desk , flipping through some papers . He didn't look up . I closed the door behind me . " Rick , " I said . He glanced up , his expression unreadable . I swallowed hard . " Earlier today , when you said you don't have room in your life for distractions … It really got to me ." He didn't respond . Just stared . I took a shaky breath and moved closer . " I know you meant it . But I need to ask you something , and I want an honest answer . What exactly are we ? Because this thing between us , it's not nothing . Not with the way you look at me, the way you touch it , or fuck me up slowly and took a step forward . Then another . The distance between us disappeared in an instant . His jaw clenched . He stood up He grabbed my wrists and backed me into the wall of the library , his body pressed against mine . His face was inches from mine , his breath warm , steady . My pulse thudded in my ears . Hel AD Comment Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!