“It was fine,” I lie, hauling myself off the couch to stretch. My joints creak and crack, and I shake my head. I’m only twenty-six. I’m too young for this shit.
“Want some?” Niki gestures to the bowl in her hands, but I politely decline. My stomach is growling, but I want something with bacon. Maybe a sandwich…
The bedroom door swings open slowly, and I freeze, my eyes jumping toward the doorway. For the briefest moment, I expect Sebastian to meander out in hispajamas, face on full display as he makes himself some coffee or something, but what I find surprises me yet again. He’s covered head to toe, wearing a similar skull mask to the one he wore on stage last night.
I blink and reach for my phone, which is wedged between the couch cushions, and check the time.
It’s seven in the morning.
And this man is already in his full fucking getup, every inch of him hidden.
Uneasiness settles in my stomach. Last night when I was exhausted after the concert, I gave him the benefit of the doubt. But this… something doesn’t sit right about it.
He sidles up behind Niki at the counter and wraps his arms around her, leaning down to talk directly into her ear. However, the space is so small that I don’t even have to strain to hear his raspy words.
“I’m headed to that meeting,” he says, squeezing her close. “If you need anything, call me.”
“I will.” She smiles and turns to cuddle into his chest.
He nods in my direction as he passes and disappears without another word. As Niki makes her way over to the recliner with her bowl of cereal, I chew the inside of my cheek, fighting with my own thoughts.
“What’s wrong?” she asks.
I realize I’ve just been standing in the middle of the tour bus, staring off into space.
“It’s…” I debate telling her it’s nothing. I don’t want to stress her out or make things awkward. I don’t want to insinuate that I don’t trust him. But I can’t shake the feeling of wrongness that’s settled in my stomach. Finally, after another moment of indecision, I decide to ask the question that’s burning the tip of my tongue. “Does he ever take that mask off?”
“Yes,” she answers, shoving a bite of cereal into her mouth.
I wait for her to elaborate, but she doesn’t.
“Niki…” I sigh.
“Do you trust me?” she interrupts.
“Of course, I do. You know that,” I say, trying to mask the irritation in my voice. “But do you trust me? I get that their identities are secret but this is… weird.”
She eats in silence, refusing to meet my eyes again. “I know it’s odd, but I promise everything will make sense soon, Jos.”
I try to be understanding, I really do, but a hint of annoyance only adds to my uneasiness. I want answers, to be in the know. I want her to trust me with whatever information they’re hiding. Whatever it is, I’ll take it to my grave.
I just want to know.
“Are they serial killers or something? Felons on the run?” I rack my brain, trying to come up with more possibilities. “Are they in witness protection?”
“No, it’s not like that.” She finishes her cereal and takes her dishes back to the kitchen, quickly washing them and setting them aside to dry. When she wheels around to face me, I can see the fear in her eyes, and a pit settles in my stomach. “I trust you with my life, Joseline, but their identities… a lot is riding on them. It’s not safe for you to know yet.”
My throat tightens as we stare at one another, a chill crawling up my spine.
Not safe for me?What about their identities could possibly put me in danger?
The cartel? Kingpin drug lords? Maybe they’re serial killers after all.
“I’m trying to be understanding,” I admit softly. “I just have no idea what’s going on…”
“I know.” She crosses the space slowly and takes my hand, squeezing it in hers. “I promise, very soon, I’ll tell you everything. Just hang in there a little longer, please.”
I breathe in a deep breath and blow it out slowly, grappling with uncertainty.
