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Chapter Twenty-Four

Lorenzo and I sat in an awkward silence, the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air between us. It became obvious that his stress level was rising as he drove closer to our destination. Frowning, his eyebrows were deeply furrowed as his knuckles tightly locked around the steering wheel. The once loose, confident muscles of his were now rigid as he tensely sat up straight.

I wondered what got his panties in a twist, but that was not for me to ask. Two assumptions could be made about it. Either he was nervous to see his dad or worried about taking me in public. If there was any idea in his head that I would try to escape, I doubt he would have let me talk him into switching the sedative to an oral dose.

After Lorenzo was certain that I couldn't recall how to get to his house and lots of begging from me, he placed the blindfold in the backseat within arms reach in case he needed to put it back on me; I had dozed off earlier with it on. My head was cocked back in the reclined seat so I could see 10 a.m. on the dash before I slept. The flashing red digits now read 2:25 p.m.

We were currently traveling on the Interstate. The sun beat down on the car, making it unbearable to look too long at what I could see of the others that drove around us. Nothing seemed to be familiar.

Occasionally, a car would whizz by us using the passing lane. I felt the impulse to wave someone down for assistance every time I saw one. It was a ridiculous notion because I was unable to do so due to the ropes confining my wrists. Not to mention, it would be hard for another person to see me with how far back Lorenzo had me reclined.

The thought of my hands being trapped sent an itch through my fingers on my good arms to play with the stiff rope, friction burns forming on my wrists.

"Why did you hit me?" Lorenzo asked sheepishly.

The question surprised me; I did not expect it. It was unlike him to be soft, but ever since I hit him something changed. He has been more gentle and tender. This is the first time we have talked about my violent act. I know it embarrassed him that I had the upper hand in that moment—quite literally. I had to answer it right, or things could go very downhill from here on out.

"I shouldn't have. There isn't a good reason, if that's what you're looking for. I did it because I felt so many emotions and I didn't know what to do with them."

It wasn't a complete lie.

He slowly blinked at me as he thought about my response. "What kind of emotions?"

"Anger, sadness, love."

That was true. I was thinking of when Seth and I made love, so those old feelings flooded back; He was my world, you don't ever forget your first love. That sticks with you forever.

Lorenzo let out a sigh, still seeming slightly on edge about something else. "That makes me happy, Jay, because I love you too. I knew there was something behind that hit. It made me realize that you are human too. But I did notice something. Instead of my name, you said someone else's."

I froze and chewed on his words. Fuck. What do I say?

I hesitated before I spoke, feeling like a deer in headlights. "I don't recall that."

"You moaned your ex's name, Seth. Do you love him too?" He grilled.

I genuinely had no idea how to maneuver through this one. "No. Other than you, I have only had relations with him. I am sure you know that. I guess it just felt like breaking the bond. It won't happen again."

Lorenzo nodded as his eyes stayed on the windshield. "Good, then we shouldn't have to have this conversation again."

My lips pressed into a tight line. I did not have anything to say after that. I could only hope that Lorenzo would let it go and take note that I suggested we would be having relations again—that there would not be an attempt to escape.