“It’s just a little freaky that he knew where I was, and now those guys are missing. I’m not sure what to think about it.”
Abella rocks back in her office chair, considering that for a moment. “Do you really think he took them out?”
“Well, after seeing the way he incapacitated them, I know he’s capable. I didn’t question it at the time, but he moved them below deck, and now I’m wondering if it’s because he planned to come back for them.”
“He has to be Mafia,” she says.
“Maybe. But why would he be studying biology?”
“Are you certain he goes to your school?”
“Fairly certain. I mean, I met him on the university Discord.”
“Well, that is odd.”
“There’s something else,” I say. “I can’t prove it, but I don’t think losing my apartment was a coincidence. Do you remember the text you received asking you to come over that day?”
“Yeah?”
“I didn’t send that, and there was no outgoing text on my phone.”
“Okay, now I’m officially freaked out.” She shudders. “I don’t like this, Gabi. I think you should come stay on the island for a while. We can keep you safe there.”
“I don’t want to leave Seattle.” I shake my head. “I’m closer to school here, and I don’t think he has any intention of hurting me. I’ve been talking to him for months, and if he wanted to, he had every opportunity.”
“I get that.” She blows out a breath. “But this is crazy.”
“If I recall correctly, I said the same thing to you when you were being stalked.”
“That was…different.” She blushes.
“How so?” I arch a brow at her. “You had no idea who he was at first, or what his intentions were. And you didn’t even tell any of us until after things got spicy with him.”
“That was reckless of me,” she says. “I should have?—”
“I want to be a little reckless, too, for once,” I cut her off. “I don’t need you to tell me all the ways this could go wrong. Trust me when I say I’ve thought them through repeatedly. But, honestly, how is this any different than our fathers signing us up for marriages with men we barely know? This is something I want to choose for myself, and I know that might sound insane?—”
“It doesn’t.” Her voice softens. “It was the same reason I never told my guards when I was in your situation.”
I relax, grateful she understands where I’m coming from.
“I’ll decide for myself if he’s trustworthy or not. And if I ever truly feel unsafe, you’ll be the first to know. But for now, can you please keep this between us?”
“I will,” she agrees reluctantly. “Do you think he might be your first?”
“I hope so,” I admit. “We’ve talked about it a lot, and when he was there that night, I wanted to. But he didn’t think it was a good idea after what happened. So we kissed and…messed around a bit instead. I was the one who told him not to take off the mask so we could keep it casual.”
Some of the concern on Abella’s face melts away.
“Well, how was it?” she asks.
Warmth spreads through me as the memory rushes back, and I’m not sure I can even put it into words.
“That good, huh?”
“Yep.” I laugh.
“I expect to hear a full report if it does happen.” A hint of humor touches her voice. “And in the meantime, I’ll be checking in on you every day.”
