“Abi, I’d never do something like this.”
“It’s Charlie,” I say.
Victor’s hands ball into fists and then he releases them, shaking them out.
I start pouring my soul out to these three people, the only ones I’ve grown to care about in this short period of time. I start my story with an apology, knowing it’s all my fault. I tell them everything about Charlie. I tell them how he marked me with his knife. Alek jumps up and asks me to show him the scar on my shoulder. I hear him roar and huff heavily while he examines my shoulder blade.
“It’s a scar, Alek. The worst is yet to come.”
Abi’s mouth drops open, and Victor wipes his hands on his sweatpants.
I tell them my fears that Charlie is unstable and obsessed. I tell them about his letter.
“What is he obsessed with?” Abi asks.
“Me. My virginity. He wants me. He’s convinced I won’t be able to find the money, so he’ll just take what he wants.”
Victor’s growl startles me. The Bull is in fight-until-he-kills mode.
Alek is pacing in the middle of the living room, and I’m silently freaking out.
“He’s a threat to all of us.”
I explain the flowers, the text messages, and the letter.
“You have the messages on your phone. We can go to the police,” Alek says.
“They’re all from different numbers. And we definitely can’t go to the police. First, we don’t have enough evidence for a restraining order. Second, his dad is a cop. And the letter is typed.”
Abi gasps and Alek stops pacing. All three of them stare at me. I tell them about Charlie’s childhood, everything he told me at the party. His dad would protect Charlie, especially since he probably feels guilty that he wasn’t around when Charlie was growing up. His dad chose his job over Charlie, leaving his only child emotionally scarred for life.
I’m dizzy. As if Victor senses my body giving up on me, he jumps up from his chair and pulls me to sit.
I have no idea how deep Charlie’s gang connections go. He may have many cops on his payroll or it could be only his dad who pulls the strings to protect him. I don’t want to do something to piss him off even more. He could hurt any of us, or change the due date on the loan.
Abi’s typing something on her phone and reading it. Alek starts pacing again.
“Give me your phone. I’ll text him to leave you alone.”
And I bet my brother won’t use nice words. But before I can answer, Abi chimes in.
“I Googled how to deal with a stalker. It says here not to talk to him, not to engage with him on any level because it makes it worse. Don’t curse at him or plead with him.” Abi puts her phone down.
Victor hasn’t said anything but is constantly near me. I can feel his body heat.
“I wish I could win the lottery.” And it suddenly hits me. “Victor’s fight is in Vegas. That’s it. I have a crazy idea. I’ll bet any money we have on Victor winning his fight. You can do that in Vegas. Like poker. Or betting at the horse races. We need to research the odds.”
I turn to face Victor, whose eyes are about to pop out. He nods slowly. “The odds are against me, which means your payoff will be higher if I win. Milkovich has a better record, but everyone will be watching to see how it turns out. I haven’t lost one amateur fight.”
Alek finally sits next to Abi again. She intertwines her fingers through his and smiles at him.
“So do you think it’ll work?” Alek says.
Victor nods. “I can contact the right people to make the bet.”
I glance at Victor, who studies my face. “They are Dad’s contacts.”
Comfortable silence falls in the room while everyone processes the information.
