I shared her feelings, but now I felt like my perspective on the entire situation had changed. I enjoyed the hunt today, heading out into the streets to act like a criminal, to learn the ropes from someone who knew what they were doing, and someone I certainly began to have feelings for.
I wanted to stay, to be a part of his life, but I understood how difficult that was going to be once my parents returned back home. I could only imagine that a man like my father would be very much aware of who the threats were to both his business and his family, which made me worry that he wouldn’t view Stephan in a very favorable light.
I worried that he was going to make me choose, decide whether I wanted to stay under his roof and follow his rules or go off with the stranger that had single-handedly changed my life, but that was still trying to find his footing in the crime world. I wanted to grow alongside Stephan, to learn from him the way I learned today, but I didn’t know what our future was going to hold.
I was still trying to get comfortable with the idea that I even enjoyed being out there, stealing, running from other criminals, and shooting the gun in my hands the way Stephan had taught me. It was a lot to take in for one night, but at least I could relax knowing that Stephan had my back no matter what.
I know he cares enough to look out for me, and I promise myself that I would do whatever I can to do the same for him.
I made my way up to the shared guest room where Natalia was sitting on the edge of the bed. The moment I walked through the door she stared back at me with the most disgusted look on her face, like she’d just found out what I’d been up to the entire day, but I knew there was absolutely no way that she’d be able to know.
“Where the fuck have you been all day, Annika?” she asked, angrily.
“I was out with Stephan. I went to pick up the key to my gallery, and then we just got a bit caught up, is all.” I failed to mention the fact that I helped Stephan steal a car after he taught me how to shoot a gun.
“I didn’t want to tell you this earlier, Annika, but I think you’re getting a little deep over your head by falling for that guy. You barely even know anything about him, and while I appreciate everything he’s done for us, I have a hard time trusting him. We grew up knowing how our parents operated, all the shady phone calls and secrets, and I just don’t want to see you get hurt,” she said, with genuine concern in her eyes.
“Stephan isn’t like that. He’d never do anything to hurt me,” I said, defensively.
“He may truly like you, and he may very well not do anything to hurt you but that doesn’t mean that he’s going to try to save us all in the process. I have a feeling that he’s hiding things from you, that he knows very well who our families are, and no one should have that much information. No one.”
“Whatever Stephan knows, it’s because I shared it with him, okay? I trust him, and I think that he is going to look out for all of us. He’s made it exceptionally clear that he just wants to help, and I have to trust that, because what other options do we have, Natalia?”
“I’m thinking of heading back home and I want you to come with me,” she said.
“I thought you said you weren’t going to bring any of this up with your parents,” I replied, feeling betrayed that she’d make this decision without at least consulting with me first.
“I don’t have to do it alone, Annika. You can come with me. My parents will protect you, even though they may not like your father, I can assure you that they won’t do anything to harm you,” she said, but I wasn’t buying it. I knew how much her parents hated mine, and I trusted Stephan far more than I’d ever trust them.
“I’m sorry, Natalia but I’m not going to come with you. I can’t stop you from walking out that door, but I can’t protect you unless you’re here. If you do go and tell your parents what happened, the news will eventually find mine, and I’ll have to figure out what to do then. Right now, I’m going to trust my gut on this one.”
“Fine, suit yourself.”
I was hurt, but I knew I couldn’t do anything to stop it.
I just hope I’m making the right choice.
