TIES THAT BIND

apartment," he repeats, slower this time, like I didn't understand him the first time he said it. I understood him perfectly. I'm just in shock he knows where I live. A sound of

're going to my place?" This actually does make him smile, except the smile is anything but friendly. It's devilish, making my stomach sink as I wonder the meaning behind it. "We're getting you all packed. We fly back to New York tomorrow." I swear this man is trying to send me into a tailspin. "I don't think I heard you correctly. We can't leave tomorrow." "And why's that?" "Because I have friends here. I need to pack. I need more time to move across the country." There's a speck of humor in his eyes as he leans deeper into the hand that holds his head. "You would've had that if you called me. Sorry, but duty calls. I need to return to New York tomorrow. I'd much have preferred tonight, but I'm being generous and giving you the evening. But that's as far as my generosity goes. You'll be leaving with me tomorrow since you're supposed to be in the office with me Monday morning." I anxiously pick at my cuticles. I normally take a week to pack for a long weekend. How the hell am I supposed to pack for uprooting my life and moving halfway across the country in one night? My mind reels as a thought pops into my head. "If you had my address, then you had my number." He shows off his perfectly straight white teeth when he grins. "This seems way more efficient." My argument stays in my throat as Ezra pulls up to the apartment complex. Beck must've really done his research, because we even pull up to the correct building. Ezra puts the SUV in park as Beck and I have a silent stare off. I refuse to look away from him. I may have signed away the next year of my life to him, but he doesn't just get to tell me at the last minute to pack all my things and move away tomorrow. "I'm not leaving tomorrow." "How else do you plan to get to New York by Monday morning?" He's got a point. But I refuse to let him win this one. He's steamrolled into my life suddenly and taken control of everything. I want some of that control back, even if it's in the form of determining when I move to New York and begin this charade I'm going to take part in. "I'll get a flight on my own," I answer confidently. It'll probably drain my entire bank account to do so, but I'm prepared to do it just to win this battle with him.He grunts in disgust. "I'm not allowing you to fly coach." He says coach the way someone talks about bed bugs or lice. Like it's the most disgusting thing on the planet. I, for one, have found some coach flights quite delightful. A bag of pretzels and a cookie? That's pure luxury. "Your entitlement is showing," I snap as Ezra gets out of the car. He clearly doesn't want to have to listen to Beck and I battle it out. I wouldn't either if I were him. Beck clenches his jaw, something I'm learning he does a lot. It seems he's in a constant state of anger when he's with me. I'm not trying to push his buttons. I just don't want him to think he can show up at my job on my last day and then have the audacity to pack my things and force me to get on a jet with him tomorrow. Unbuckling his seatbelt, he slides across the leather, moving the briefcase that acted as a barrier between us. He crowds me with his body, even as I try to scoot away from him. My back presses into the door. I have nowhere to go. I don't even have anywhere to look but into his dark, stormy, indigo eyes. He presses his palm into the window by my head. Ou