Wildcat: Like I said, I’m okay. I think it was someone from this app, though. He called me by my screen name, and there’s only one other person on earth that calls me that, so it’s probably a good time to take a little break to regroup. I’m staying with my brother’s friend, who I’ve known my whole life, so I’m safe, just a little rattled.
Wildcat: I’ll check in with you when I can. I just didn’t want to disappear on you. Thank you for always being here for me when I need you.
CJP: As long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters.
CJP: If there’s anything you need, even if it’s just someone to talk to, I’m here for you.
CJP: Take care of yourself, Wildcat.
I press my eyes closed to ward off the tears gathered at the corners.
The only two people in the world I can lean on right now are my brother’s best friend and a stranger who subscribes to my spicy content, and there’s something wildly pathetic about that.
I nestle into Colten’s sheets and allow his scent to drag me into unconsciousness.
SEVENTEEN
COLTEN
There are a million things I should be doing instead of standing in my bedroom doorway staring at the sleeping woman in my bed.
It’s strange. I always imagined I would have an aversion to sharing my space, seeing as the list of people I can tolerate spending more than ten minutes with consists of four people and a cat, but perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise Lexi seems to complete it.
I’ve always felt guilty for deceiving her by subscribing to her platform. It felt like a betrayal because I knew from day one who she was, but she still sees me as a nameless, faceless being who pays to see the most intimate parts of her.
God, when I put it like that, I feel like an even bigger creep than usual.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I carefully pull the door closed before moving to the desk I have set up beneath one of the windows.
I drop into the chair and tap the mouse to bring the computer to life.
I pull my phone free and swipe through the notifications waiting for me.
The babysitter I hired for Mr. Whiskers has sent her first report, which I quickly forward to Lexi for her peace of mind when she wakes up.
I reply to a couple of work-related emails, check in with the team reviewing the security footage from Cruz’s place, and then, when I can’t stall anymore, I check the time in Rome and sigh.
Time to call my best friend and break the news to him.
“Hey man, what’s up?” Cruz answers.
“Don’t freak out, because everything is taken care of, but your house was broken into last night. We’re working on the motive, but in the meantime, I’ve moved Lexi in with me…and I may have also manipulated the Mafia Matchmaker system to match us.” It sounds really bad when I say it like that.
“Just so I’m sure I have this straight, you hacked the Mafia Matchmaker algorithm, matched yourself with Lexi, and now you’ve kidnapped her?”
I sigh and brush my hand down my face. Why does he sound so amused by the situation? “I didn’t kidnap her. She got into the car willingly.”
He chuckles. “Is she allowed to leave?”
“Not without me.”
“And does she know you’ve been obsessed with her for years?”
“No.”
“So, she’s there under false pretenses?”
“Yes.”
