“So…the bathroom…It looks a little bare still.”
Enoch laughed self-deprecatingly. “I might have bitten off a little more than I can chew.”
The tension in the room dissipated, and I relaxed my shoulders, content with listening to him tell me about his coworker who was going to help him.
???
I dumped my backpack in my room, taking a moment in the privacy behind the door to look inside. The gun and bullets were still there. I sighed with relief and left my bag on the floor.
I returned to the living room, watching Enoch look around the space. I was more than annoyed that I had let him convince me to allow him to come inside. He was supposed to just drop me off, not come in here and inspect my space. I crossed my arms over my chest.
“Okay…well…” anxious butterflies erupted in my belly, “you saw my place. Can you—”
A knock at the door sent my pulse spiking and my whole body froze.Enoch looked at the door then back at me with a furrowed brow.Did someone follow us?
“You expecting someone?”
My finger shot to my lips, tapping repeatedly and his eyes went wide. I eyed the bedroom where my gun was and flicked my gaze over Enoch who was standing in front of the couch.
What if it is him? What if he’s here? Fuck. I should’ve gotten the name of the person who had preached at their church. What if was a reverend from a Reformation church? Fuck!
“Get down,” I whispered firmly.
I saw a flash of shock cross his face before he was crouching in front of the couch.
The knock sounded again, a persistent rap three times, and I ran to my bedroom, reaching into my backpack and pulling out my Glock. I clicked the magazine into place, loaded a round into the chamber without hesitation, and looked up.
Shit.Enoch was gone. I stepped back into the living room, scanning the space.
Idiot.
I frantically gestured for him to get away from the door. Enoch’s eyes went wide at the sight of the gun in my hand. He shook his head, holding up the largest knife from the kitchen block.
“It’s a man,” he mouthed.
My jaw clenched, heart racing too fast, and I crossed the room to the front door. Enoch stood to the side in the kitchen.
The knocking sounded again, and my heart leapt into my throat. I tried to take a calming breath before I leaned forward enough to see through the peephole.
I huffed a rough sigh, forehead falling to the door.Fuck my life. This could not be happening right now. God, is this you? You trying to stop me from killing myself or something?I needed to stop that email from being sent tonight. I wasn’t going to be able to explain my abrupt departure like this now. I’d have to wait a couple of days at least.
I pulled the slide back, popping out the round in the chamber, catching it in my palm. I quickly placed the gun in the closest kitchen drawer before unlocking the deadbolt and pulling the door open.
“How the hell did you get into the—” I closed my eyes for a moment, shaking my head. “Lottie?”
Cole gave me a sheepish smile, and I stepped back to let him inside.Dammit, Lottie, you can’t go around giving people my front door code. Even if it is just Cole. Now my whole fucking plan is ruined.
I realized Enoch had moved when he tugged my belt loop at the base of my spine. I stumbled into his chest as he wrapped an arm around my middle, fingers splayed possessively.
I watched Cole step inside, taking in the apartment before landing behind me.
He jolted, a hand over his heart, as he stuttered, “Fu-uck, I didn’t know you had company.”
He dropped his hand from his chest, winking at me and then his eyes were back on Enoch.
“Cole,” he said holding his tattooed hand out for Enoch to shake.
There was a moment of hesitation, and he looked down at Enoch’s hand. Cole quickly pulled his hand back and his eyes landed on my face with a look of fear, “What’s with the knife?”
