Just Keep Sweet (The Compound Series) by Melissa Brown Read Free Book Online Page B

plopping another french fry in my mouth.
    She laughed despite herself. “You’re an ass.”
    “I know.”
    My phone buzzed from the table and my mouth dropped as I stared down at the screen.
    “Holy shit.”
    “What? Is it her? What are the chances?” Elizabeth’s eyes were as wide as her glass of Diet Coke.
    I hesitated.
    “What are you waiting for? Answer it!”
    “It could be the prophet, remember? He has the phone.”
    “Or he had it. Quick, before she hangs up.”
    Still hesitant, I kept my hands in my lap.
    I could feel Elizabeth’s agitation from the other side of the booth. “If you don’t answer it, I will. C’mon!”
    “Fine, okay.” I answered the call, pressing the phone to my ear.
    “Cooke.” My voice was terse, prepared.
    “Jonathan, oh thank goodness it’s you.”
    “Aspen? Aw, hell, I thought it was Black, that’s why I didn’t answer right away.”
    “I’m glad you did.”
    “You got your phone back? How did you do that? Are you okay?” The questions were flying out of my mouth faster than I’d planned.
    “I’ll give you a minute,” E whispered before wiping her mouth with the corner of her napkin, grabbing her purse, and leaving our booth. I was grateful for the privacy.
    “He gave it back,” Aspen said. “Sent a note with one of his wives.”
    “Wait, I don’t get it. Why would he give it back? That seems really stupid.”
    “He’s not stupid.”
    “Exactly.”
    He’s diabolical and calculated. He gave that phone back for a reason.
    “ What did the note say?”
    “He’s bored.”
    “Bored? Bored?!” My voice raised and the women at the next table looked at me, but I didn’t care. I was infuriated. I lowered my voice and muttered, “What the fuck?”
    “I know,” Aspen said, then paused. “But at least I have it back and I can get a hold of you. It may be a few days before I can get to the station, but there’s a lot to discuss, and I won’t do it over the phone. Who knows what he’s done to this thing? I don’t trust it knowing he could be recording my every word. Paul never allowed us to lock our phones. That’s the reason I’m in this mess to begin with. If it’d only been locked when he found it . . .” Her voice trailed off. “He could be recording my every word.”
    “That’s all right, there’s no use punishing yourself. You’ve been through enough.”
    She sighed into the phone. “I suppose you’re right.”
    “You’ll fill me in when I see you.”
    “Yes. I’ve been isolated for too long.”
    “It’s time we change that. Come to the station as soon as you can and we’ll make a plan. If possible, text me when you’re on your way and I’ll be there.”
    “I will, I promise. Paul has been more relaxed this week, not watching over me as much. I may be able to sneak off for a bit.” She paused for a moment, then in a hushed tone said, “I’d better go. Thanks for answering.”
    Elizabeth was still away from the table when I reluctantly hung up the phone. Relief spread to every inch of my body knowing that Aspen was okay, that he hadn’t hurt her . . . yet. I knew she was on borrowed time. Clarence was using him as his own private entertainment—invoking a cat-and-mouse dynamic between them, playing with her life and that of her children for his own amusement.
    Crazy motherfucker.
    We had to figure out how to take him down and fast. First things first, get her a burner phone—one she uses in secret that the fucking prophet couldn’t trace or record. Second . . . hell, I had no idea what came next. Touch base with Porter? Continue searching the station’s database for the names in the ledger? I had to do something. I’d go out of my mind if I didn’t.
    “Hey.” E slid back into the booth with soft eyes, studying me in an attempt to get up to speed without any answers from me.
    “She couldn’t say much, but he gave her the phone back.”
    “He just gave it to her? Isn’t that a little strange?”
    “Not for this