Read Online Uncovering You 6: Deliverance by Scarlett Edwards - Free Book Online Page A

about me.”
    Fey’s eyes widen, and understanding fills her face. She reaches across the table and takes my hand. “Oh, Lilly, how could you think that? A few months is nothing in the grand scheme of things. Forget about you? Are you fucking crazy? Oops.” Fey covers her mouth and looks at Thalia. “Sorry, mom.”
    Thalia waves it away and motions for her to keep going. Fey picks my hand up in both of her. “I’d never forget about you, Lilly. I just figured, you know, that you were busy.” She smiles. “It looks like I was right. I know how focused you get when you have your eyes set on a goal. I’ve seen it dozens of times at Yale. Remember how Sonja and I had to practically abduct you to get you to come to The Game with us?” She laughs.
    But on hearing that word … the word abducted … my stomach drops. That’s exactly what Jeremy did to me. And now, here I am, sitting with an old friend, pretending everything is okay?
    Just how far have I succumbed to the Stockholm Syndrome? All it would take is one word . . . one plea for help … and Fey and Thalia could rescue me from my nightmare. I’d be gone from Jeremy for good. They’d take me to the cops where I would confess everything that he’s done. I’d describe every detail of his house, of his property, of his treatment of me. I’d tell them the truth . And they’d have no choice but to believe me. Jeremy would be arrested. His power would be extinguished. He would go to jail …
    No. No, he wouldn’t go to jail. He’d hire the best lawyers in the country to fight his case. It would be my word--the word of a gold digging woman--against his, the word of the most powerful businessman in the country.
    I wouldn’t stand a chance. I’d be demolished in the courtroom. What kind of attorney could I afford? Someone like me, fresh out of college? It’d be laughable.
    And what evidence could I provide? Jeremy holds all the power. He holds all the cards. I could tell them about the contract he had me sign. But, could I offer them a copy? No. I could speak about the collar. But could I show it to them? No. I don’t even have any lingering scars or marks from my imprisonment.
    No. If I say anything now… things can only end in disaster. The one thing I’d be sure to accomplish is inciting Jeremy’s wrath. He’d get me back. He’d be relentless. And when he did? Well, I shudder to think of what he’d do to me then.
    So I have no choice but to continue the charade. If I go head-to-head with Jeremy in a courtroom, I’d be painted as a lunatic. Hell, I know what he did to Paul.
    No! I can’t waver now. Getting away is not what I want or need. Calling for help is the coward’s way out.
    This isn’t Stockholm Syndrome. It’s me being clear in my purpose. The stakes are high. My life could be on the line.
    But, my life already revolves around Jeremy Stonehart. That’s how it’ll continue to be, until the moment comes when I can strike him down. And I will do so on my terms, on my own abilities. I will not rely on anybody else. The cops, lawyers, judges, a courtroom… all of that would involve other people in administering justice. That is not what I need. The only way to settle things between me and Jeremy is on a personal level. And the only person who can know when justice is done is me.
    I fight through the discomfort and laugh as well. “Yeah,” I say. “Yeah, I do. Thanks for understanding, Fey.”
    “Hey, that’s what friends do, isn’t it?” she beams. “But now that we’ve seen each other again, and you know better than to think that I could forget about you, you’ve got to make me a promise. Okay? You remember before you left for California, I made you swear that I’d be the first person you’d call if things went bad? Well, I’m amending that now. You’re to call me at least once a week, Lilly Ryder. No matter what. You got that?”
    I glance at Jeremy, seeking his permission. He inclines his head slightly. His lips, however,