As I zip the bag shut, a thought creeps in. How long am I going to be staying with him?
I keep packing, grabbing my laptop and AirPods beforehauling my work backpack over and shoving the laptop inside a little harder than necessary. I decide to change into black leggings, a light purple sweater, and brown boots.
When I step out of my bedroom, I set the duffel bag on the chair and drop my backpack on the floor. Mateo and Gino both stop talking and stare at me. Whatever conversation they were having, it was intense. Judging by the looks on their faces, it was definitely about me.
I head into the bathroom and grab a small makeup bag, tossing in mascara, an eyebrow pencil, my toothbrush, deodorant, a hairbrush, face wash, and moisturizer.
When I look up, Gino is standing in the doorway.
“I’m going to head out,” he says.
I nod.
“Vanessa.” I look up at him as he steps into the bathroom, lowering his voice so Mateo won’t hear. “I’m sorry I basicallybroke into your place.” He exhales. “I need you to trust me, but I need you to trust Mateo more. Listen to him. Let him take care of you.”
I nod, giving him a small smile.
He pulls me into a tight, unmistakably brotherly hug. It hits me then, hard and unexpected—I have a brother. One who’s going to protect me.
He releases me and heads for the door. Just before he leaves, he turns back.
“Both of you,” he says. “Watch your backs. Be careful.”
As soon as Gino closes the door, Mateo steps into the bathroom and starts grabbing his things. I think about asking what he and Gino talked about while I was in my room, but I decide against it.
He catches my eye in the mirror and gives me a soft smile as he packs his things. He turns to me, cups my face, and gently tilts it up so I’m looking at him.
“I will protect you, Vanessa,” he says quietly. “Even if it’s the last thing I do.”
He presses a kiss to my forehead and steps away, leaving the bathroom.
What?
What do I need protection from?
I follow him out, tucking the makeup bag into my duffel. He looks at me and asks, “Are you ready to go?”
“I guess so.”
I take one last look around the apartment, making sure all the lights are off, then lock the door behind us. We walk down the hall to the elevators, ride them to the ground floor, and step out into the night. The car is parked just down the block, waiting.
The entire drive passes in silence. Every so often, I can feel him glance over at me, but I keep my eyes fixed straight ahead.
He pulls into the parking garage, parks, and we both get out of the car. Once we’re inside his apartment, he finally breaks the tension.
“Let me show you to the guest room.”
I follow him down the hall to a room right next to his own. “Here it is,” he says. “The bathroom’s right across the hall.”
“Thanks,” I mumble.
He hesitates, then turns back to me. “Hey… are you okay?”
“You would tell me if something was wrong, right?” I ask. “Gino wouldn’t have just shown up at my apartment for no reason. And it’s pretty clear he has some kind of plan he’s not letting me in on.”
He hesitates.
“Nothing’s wrong,” he says finally. “I promise.”
