We’re just reaching the car when I finally see him—a tall man in sunglasses, dressed in a crisp white shirt and black slacks. He’s leaning against a nearby vehicle, staring straight at us while speaking into his phone. The look isn’t casual. It’s deliberate.
Juliet pulls out her phone and fires off a quick text. I don’t need to ask who it’s to.
Before I can get another look at the man, Juliet peels out of the parking lot. The drive back to the house is fast and intense. Her hands grip the steering wheel tightly, her jaw set, a nervous tension etched across her face the entire way.
As soon as we get back to the house, Juliet rushes inside and heads straight for Gino’s office. I follow close behind.
When we walk in, Gino and Mateo arealready deep in conversation at the desk. They both look up at the same time. The moment they see us, their expressions shift to something sharp and alert.
“What happened?” Gino asks immediately. “You two weren’t supposed to be back yet.”
“I’m not sure,” Juliet says, “but I think someone was following us.”
Her hands tremble slightly, and I know my own would be doing the same if I didn’t keep them crossed.
Gino mumbles under his breath about how he told her to take someone with her. Juliet crosses her arms. “I don’t need to be reprimanded, Gino, but clearly whatever happened here a few nights ago wasn’t the only thing we’re dealing with.”
Gino exhales and straightens. “I need you to tell me what they looked like.”
Mateo moves to stand beside me, close enough that I can feel his presence.
“Are you okay?” he asks quietly.
“Yes,” I reply, my gaze fixed on Gino and Juliet. I can’t look at him. If I do, I know I’ll start to cry. The adrenaline is wearing off, and for some reason, I feel myself growing more comfortable around him than I should.
Gino’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts.
“Vanessa, did you notice this guy at any point?”
“No,” I say. “Not until we were heading back to the car.”
“He wasn’t there the entire time,” Gino says. “He probably showed up after someone alerted him that you were there.”
“I don’t know if that’s the case,” Juliet counters. “He could’ve been following us and waited to show his face.” Her jaw tightens. “It feels like a warning.”
“I’m not disagreeing with you, but why would he do that?” Gino asks.
“Because they want to scare us into doing what they want,” Juliet replies.
“What’s that?” I ask.
Before anyone can answer, Gino cuts in. “Mateo, take Vanessa back to her apartment and stay there for now—at least until we figure this out.”
Mateo nods and turns toward the door. I follow close behind, offering a small wave to Gino and Juliet, who are already deep in conversation again beside the desk.
ELEVEN
VANESSA
I sleep for a few hours, waking as the sun starts to dip toward the horizon. I have blackout curtains, but I leave them cracked just enough to catch the light when evening sets in. I grab my phone. It’s almost six. And then it hits me. I’m not alone in my apartment.
I get out of bed and change out of my pajamas, pulling on yoga pants and a blue t-shirt.
When I step into the living room, the TV is on, but Mateo isn’t on the couch. His things are still here, though, which tells me he didn’t leave completely. Maybe he’s in the bathroom. I glance over—nope, the door’s open. I check the dining area, the reading nook, even the balcony.
Nothing.
I head into the bathroom, splash water on my face, brush my teeth, and pull my hair back into a ponytail.
