Read Online The Kept Woman (Will Trent 8) by Karin Slaughter - Free Book Online Page B

network, who would help her if she was in trouble. If she was hurt.’
    Every word he said was like a dagger.
    ‘Right?’ Will said. ‘If anyone could survive this, it’s Angie?’
    Sara shook her head. She couldn’t have this conversation. ‘What am I supposed to do here, Will? Reassure you? Comfort you? Tell you it’s okay that you deceived me? That you knew she was violating my privacy—our privacy—but you let it happen anyway?’ Sara put her hand over her mouth, because sounding shrill would not get them through this. ‘I know that part of you will always have feelings for her. She’s been an important part ofyour life for almost thirty years. I accept that. I understand that you are connected to her because of what you survived, but you and I are together. At least I thought we were. I need you to be honest with me.’
    Will shook his head as if this was a simple misunderstanding. ‘I am being honest. She was parked on the street. We didn’t talk. I guess I should’ve told you.’
    Sara bit down hard on the guess .
    Again he glanced back at the opening where the lift would come. ‘It’s been longer than five minutes.’
    ‘Will.’ What little remained of her pride drained away. ‘Please. Just tell me what you want me to do. Please.’ Sara grabbed his hand before she could stop herself. She couldn’t stand the feeling that he was slipping away. ‘Should I give you some time? If that’s what you need, just tell me.’
    He looked down at their hands.
    ‘Talk to me. Please.’
    His thumb stroked the back of her fingers. Was he trying to think of a way to leave her? Was there more that he hadn’t confessed?
    She felt her heart start to shake in her chest. ‘If you need to work through this alone, then tell me. I can take it. Just tell me what you want me to do.’
    He kept stroking her hand. Sara remembered the first time Will had touched her like this. They were in the basement of the hospital. The feel of his skin against hers had set off an explosion inside of her body. Her heart had fluttered in her chest the same way it was fluttering now. Except that time, she was filled with hope. Now, she was flooded with dread.
    ‘Will?’
    He cleared his throat. He tightened his grip on her hand. She held her breath as she waited for his words, wondering if this was the end of their relationship or just another giant mountain they had to scale.
    He said, ‘Can you pick up Betty?’
    Sara’s brain couldn’t process the request. ‘What?’
    ‘She’s at the vet and . . .’ He took a stuttered breath. He held on tight to her hand. ‘I don’t know how late I’ll be. Can you pick her up?’
    Sara felt her mouth open, then close, then open again.
    ‘They told me she would . . .’ He paused. She saw his Adam’s apple work as he swallowed. ‘They said to come at five, but maybe you can call to see if you can pick her up earlier, because they said she’d be finished by noon, but the anesthesia—’
    ‘Yes.’ Sara didn’t know what else to do but relent. ‘I’ll take care of her.’
    He let out a long, slow breath, as if figuring out what to do with Betty was the most difficult part of this conversation. ‘Thank you.’
    Charlie Reed came up the stairs, his footsteps unnaturally heavy to announce his arrival. He carried two heavy-looking duffel bags, one in each hand.
    He told them, ‘Stairs are cleared, so no more deathtrap elevator.’ His mouth went into a tight smile under his handlebar mustache. ‘Will, Amanda’s waiting in the car.’
    Will’s hand slipped from Sara’s. He took the stairs two at a time, sidestepping Charlie as he made a quick descent.
    Sara stared after him, not sure what had just happened or how she was supposed to feel about it. She pressed her hand to herchest to make sure that her heart was still beating. The quick taps were the same as if she’d just run a marathon.
    ‘Goodness.’ Charlie had reached the top of the stairs. He dropped both the duffels. He