Page 91 of Caging Liberty

“No, Ivy. I didn’t read anything. He just told me about it.”

“Did Angel read any?”

Sawyer looks at his glass as he swirls its contents. “Why are you freaking out about this?”

“Sawyer,” I grind out. “Did Angel see any of my messages?”

Setting his glass down, he props his forearms on the table with just enough force to show his frustration. “Why would he?”

Why would he?

Good question.

I think about the Manhattan Angel ordered me and the chocolates he brought back from his business trip, the way he thought it was ridiculous for me to think he read so much of my exchanges with saltyshells.

He was right, it would’ve been ridiculous. He didn’t read them.

He wrote them.

“Did Robert tell you and Angel anything else about me?” I ask, still grasping at the possibility that my gut is wrong.

“Like?”

“Did he mention my favorite drink? Or my favorite chocolate or anything like that? Did…” I clear my throat and close my eyes for a moment, remembering all the long talks I had with saltyshells. All the intimate details of my life I shared.

“Sawyer, is Angel saltyshells?”

Sawyer laughs incredulously. “What? No. Why would you… ?”

I watch as Sawyer weighs the possibility. Suddenly, he doesn’t seem so sure.

I turn and stride from the kitchen, my stomach twisting into knots but no longer from hunger. I walk and walk and walk, unsure of my destination, just knowing I need to continue.

It makes so much sense now that I hate myself for not seeing it. I hate myself for not seeing through his bullshit.

Thisis why Angel has been interested in me from the beginning.Thisis why he hasn’t let up.Thisis why he’s been happy to play the part of knight in shining armor.

He hasn’t wanted me since I got here.

He’s wanted me for over a year.

But why?

Why?

Why?

Why?

And how? How did he find me through the chat site? Why did he care to look in the first place?

So many whys.

So many unknowns.

I think I’m going to puke.

I run to a balcony on the third floor, flinging open the doors that lead to it. I rush to the ledge and grasp the railing, seesawing air in and out of my lungs, trying to calm the nausea.