“Sure. If I paint any more, I’ll let you know. I think I’m going to take some time off to figure things out.”
“You’ve had a traumatic experience. Bennett said you were leaving town in the morning. Is that still your plan, even though the danger looks to be over?”
No way in hell was she going to see her brother. She’d strangle him, and then she’d be the one in jail.
“I plan on leaving still unless you need me to stick around.” Maybe just not with Ashton and definitely not to see her brother.
“I have your statement, and the security cameras show us exactly what happened, so you’re free to go.”
Relief swarmed through her. She could leave and never look back.
An hour later, Ashton found his way back to her.
“I think they’re going to be a few more hours. Are you ready to leave?”
“Yeah, I’ve got a headache.”
“One of the uniformed officers took Avery home.” Ashton pulled out his keys and handed them to her. “I’m going to be awhile. Will you go straight home?”
“Where else do I have to go?” She took the keys he offered.
“I think they’ll be wrapped up in a few more hours, and then I’ll meet you back at home.” He cupped her cheeks. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
“As well as can be expected,” she said with a sigh.
He kissed her and rested his forehead against hers. “You know you saved my life, right?”
“After you saved mine,” she said as he walked her out of the building. He gestured to the fire escape and the open window on the second floor. “That’s how they’re getting in.”
“I’ll have to fix that.” She sighed.
She slid into the driver’s seat and drove home in a daze, not remembering how she ever got from point A to point B.
Stella went up to the room where she painted and threw open the door. In all the paintings she’d created, she had no inclination that her brother was involved.
Nothing about her life was her own. Her brother had made sure of that. He’d had his thumb in everything for the last six months, if not before. Stella went to her room and grabbed her luggage, tossing in clothes and toiletries before grabbing the bag of her favorite painting supplies.
She’d shoved the last item inside and was halfway down the stairs when her doorbell rang. Dropping her bags at the doorway, she yanked the door open.
Avery was standing on the stoop with her back to the door.
“Hey, Avery,” Stella said.
Avery spun around. “I wasn’t sure you were home.”
“Everything okay?” Stella asked.
Avery chewed her bottom lip. “Sure. I just wanted to check on you.”
“Come in.” Stella opened the door wider, and Avery stepped inside.
“I’m sorry to bother you. It looks like you’re leaving.”
“It can wait,” Stella said, guiding Avery to the kitchen. “Can I get you some coffee or tea?”
“No.” Avery’s cheeks pinkened as Stella made a cup of coffee for herself.
“Okay, so what’s really bothering you, Avery?” Stella poured herself a cup of coffee and doctored it up.
