Free Like Glass We Break (Glass #2) by Kari Fisher Page B

ground, snuffing it out with her foot.
    “Hey,” Scott calls out behind her. She turns to face him.
    “What are you doing here? You shouldn’t be out here.”
    “Wrong turn on my way out. How do I get out to where the car rentals are?” he asks.
    “Head back in those doors, and speak with the people at the rental desk,” Amrita explains, extending her arm to point.
    “Show me.”
    “Oh, it’s easy. Just go right in there,” she repeats, pointing. “The rental desk is to your left, and then out through security to where their parking lot is.
    “I’ve already signed up for a rental and just need to find my car. It’s a dark blue Honda Accord,” he explains. “Show me.”
    “I can’t, sir. I’m on my break. If you just step inside those doors, there will be someone in there who can help you,” Amrita says, this time sternly.
    Scott marches toward her. She puts both hands up and backs away but he corners her against the wall. He grabs onto her throat and squeezes so hard she begins to choke. As she does, she slides down against the wall, flailing her arms. He crouches down in front of her and reaches into her pocket.
    “Show me, Amrita Daou, who lives at 494 Stonegate with her toddler,” he whispers, flipping through her wallet. He holds out a picture of her child and she closes her eyes. “If you don’t show me how to get to my rental car, your house will be my first stop once I do find it.”
    “Okay, okay,” Amrita squeaks. “I’ll show you.”
    As though everything is normal, both Amrita and Scott walk back into the airport. Renae sees them walk in and jumps up from her seat.
    “Scott, what are you doing?” Renae asks.
    “Amrita is just walking me to a manager’s office so we can have my flight reimbursed. I’ve decided to rent a car and drive home.”
    Renae looks over to Amrita, who nods in agreement.
    “Right this way, sir,” Amrita ushers.
    Renae doesn’t say anything else; she just returns to her book once again.
    Scott follows Amrita and she walks out to the rental lot. In the closest spot sits the dark blue Honda Accord that now belongs to Scott for the next two days, according to his paperwork.
    “There it is,” Amrita says quietly. “Can I go now?”
    “Did you really think it was going to be that easy? Get in the car,” Scott demands.
    “No, I—”
    “Get in, now. I just really want some company through the city. Once we get to the outskirts, I’ll drop you off. Otherwise, you can stay here, and I’ll head over to your place. Or I won’t, I don’t know. If I don’t go right away, I’ll make sure to stop by at some point, when you don’t expect it. You may not even be home. I may break the window on your door and let myself in, just so I can feel what it’s like to fall asleep in your bed. Then when you show up, we can share a bottle of wine. Do you like wine? It’s not like you’re going to move, Amrita. This is a decent job, but you’re obviously single—there’s no ring on your finger, or picture of you and a boyfriend in your wallet. Are you single? If you move, I’ll find you there. You’ll have to quit your job. Pull your child out of the pre-school closest to your house. Make sure your family hides too. There can’t be too many Daous in the phone book, even though this is a fairly big city. I have plenty of time on my hands. I can visit everyone.”
    “Why are you doing this?” Amrita asks.
    “You don’t even have the money to move right now, do you? Apartment hunting would be awful this time of year. Scott isn’t even my real name, and my ID is fake, so don’t bother calling the cops.”
    “So what do you want? You want me to go for a ride with you? How will that make you happy?” she asks, shaking. She’s scared and the cold weather isn’t helping because she hadn’t grabbed her jacket.
    “I just want the company. I’ve been really lonely lately. My wife died, and I just need someone to talk to. I didn’t mean to be forceful,” Scott