I nod. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” I walk out, close the door behind me and don’t like the feeling of leaving her alone. But I have to get this meeting with my dad over with. He doesn’t know about the flowers at Natalie’s house. I didn’t tell him because it’ll only worry him that someone would get that close to me. But Iwonder if that’s what he wants to talk about anyway. If it isn’t the Lucia DeMarco situation he’s more interested in discussing. In getting my acquiescence once and for all, especially now that Natalie’s in the picture.
“Dad,” I say, entering his study without knocking.
He’s sitting behind his desk. “Pretty girl,” he says, resting his arms on his desk and looking at me. “Close the door.”
17
NATALIE
My phone rings a moment after Sergio walks out of the room. I pick up my purse which I’d tossed on the bed and dig inside for my phone. It’s Drew so I answer.
“Hey Drew.”
“Hey. You there? Atthe house?”
I smile. “Yes.” I plop down on the bed. “Weirdo.”
“Well, what’s it like?”
“Huge. Lavish. I wonder if it’s haunted.”
“Ha. Did you meet Franco Benedetti?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“And nothing. He’s just like you’d expect. Cold. Sergio’s mom’s nice though. And one of his brothers seems okay.”
“Yeah, well, what didyouexpect? I still can’t believe you’re with him.”
“I know.” I know Drew doesn’t approve. He thinks I’m going to get hurt and I can see how he’d think that, especially given what just happened. I lied to him for the first time since I’ve known him, too. I told him the flowers were from Sergio. But Iforce that worrying thought from my mind. “How’s Pepper?” He took Pepper for the weekend.
“She’s fine, you don’t need to worry about her.”
“Thanks again for taking her on such short notice.”
“Don’t worry about it. Hey, I heard something about Professor Dayton taking a few weeks off.”
Shit. “Is he?” I play dumb.
“Heard your boyfriend paid him a visit.”
“Drew—”
“Just be careful, okay? These are dangerous people.”
“He told me he loved me.”
My comment is greeted by silence on the other end of the phone. “Did you tell him?” he finally asks.
“Not yet. But…”
“Nat, I’m worried about you.”
“Don’t be. He won’t hurt me.”
“It’s not him hurting you that worries me. It’s you knowing him putting you in danger.”
