“I've missed you too.” I force myself not to pull away, not to stiffen as he presses his lips against mine. I wrap my arms around his neck andfocus on kissing him back, hoping he doesn’t move his hand down far enough to feel the gun. He does.
He pulls it out. “What is this?”
“Sorry. I was alone and,” I look down. “I’ve been getting weird messages too, for a long time. Cards in gray envelopes. Texts. Phone calls from someone saying they're thinking of me.” I wait for him to tell me it was him, that he was worried about me. That he just wanted me to know he was thinking of me.
He doesn't.
"The gun is a good idea, but I should hold on to it, and we should get out of here. The first place he’s going to look for you is your house. I’ll get a hotel in Seattle. Two rooms if you want. But it would probably be better if we stayed together.”
I reach for my phone. “Shouldn’t we go to the police? If Brad is really–”
He puts his hand on top of mine. “I already called them. They said there’s nothing they can do for you. But don't worry about that, I'm here I won't let—”
We hear it at the same time. The low growl of a sports car. I know without knowing how that Jacob is in that car, that he’s coming for me, even if he's supposed to be on the other side of the country. Even if he's supposed to be on the other side of the world.
I can’t let Michael get to him.
I wrap my arms around him. “You're right. We should stay together.”
I lift my face to his and kiss him.
Jacob
I pull into the driveway, for the first time wishing I hadn’t rented such a loud and conspicuous car. There’s no chance for stealth, so I pull up right in front of the house. I look up at the window of Jess’ room. Her bedroom light is on. Two shadows hold each other behind the curtains. They’re kissing.
It’s just the way Steve said it would be.For a second I feel like an idiot, like I've fallen into their trap and their upstairs laughing at me. Then the taller shadow, Michael, lifts his arm. There's something in his hand—a shape I recognize immediately.
He has a gun.
My first instinct is to storm through the front door, race up the stairs, and overpower him. I realize that’s a good way to get shot, maybe to get Jess shot too. Something Gage told me comes back now. Ahelpful hint in case you ever need it. The tree in the back leads directly to Jess’ bedroom window.I didn’t ask him how he knew that, but I trust he knew what he was talking about.
Jess
I’m doing everything I can to keep Michael from looking out the window, but when we hear the car door slam, he moves me behind him. “Stay back.” He peers out the curtains and swears. He lowers his voice. “He’s here.”
He can't know I know who’s out there. “Brad?”
“Yeah. Stay here; I’ll go make sure he doesn’t get in.”
I pull him into another kiss, stalling for time. “Be careful.”
“I will.” He nods solemnly.
As soon as he’s out of my room, I reach for my phone and dial the number I’ve had memorized since I was seventeen.
“Jess.” He answers immediately. “Are you–”
“I’m okay. Michael is out there. He has a gun, please, go back to your car, lock the doors and–”
“Open your window. I’m coming up.”
Branches scrape against the house. I run to my back window and pull it open. Jacob climbs in. I wrap my arms around him.We only get a second.
“Step away from her.” Michael’s voice is behind me.
I turn to face him. “Michael don’t–”
Jacob moves in front of me.
