I wipe my hands on the nearest cloth to avoid smudging the screen and pick it up.
Unknown number
The warmth drains from my body. My gaze lifts from the screen and sweeps the room before I’ve consciously decided to check. Anya is across from me, gathering paintbrushes into a jar, entirely absorbed in the task.
I open the message.
Tell your friend to stop calling the police about her ‘stalker.’ I’m not her problem. You are. Either you come talk to me, or I expand my social circle. She’s easy to find, Baby. You know I mean it.
My stomach drops.
No. No. No.
Landon’s found Maren.
Shit.
She doesn’t know what’s happening. She’s probably genuinely filing police reports because a strange man is following her, and she’s a sensible person who believes in systems working the way they’re supposed to work.
I close the notification, glancing across the room. Anya is still absorbed in her brushes. She won’t notice my absence for a few minutes.
I slip out quietly, padding down the hallway to my room. The door clicks shut behind me, and I lean against it for a second, steadying myself, before pulling up Maren’s contact and pressing call.
It rings once. Twice. Three times. My fingers tighten around the phone with each unanswered tone. Four. Five. She’s not going to pick up. Something happened. He got to her already and?—
“Hey, stranger.”
The relief that leaves my lungs is so sudden it’s almost a laugh. I press my free hand against my chest and close my eyes.
“Hi. Are you okay?”
“So, funny you ask.” Her voice is muffled by background noises. “Some weird stuff has been happening. I think someone’s been following me, but I can’t figure out who. It’s not the usual crowd — different vibe, way more intense. I called the police, they came to my apartment, found absolutely nothing. Treated me like I was losing it.”
My stomach drops. “Mare, I’m so sorry. It’s Landon. This is payback. Some things went down, and he’s angry. I think he’s watching you to get to me. To scare me.”
“Oh, El.” Her tone shifts instantly, concern flooding her voice. “Are you okay? What happened?”
I bite my lip. How exactly do I explain that my employer stabbed my ex-boyfriend after said ex-boyfriend held a knife to my throat? And, considerably, disastrously worse, that I slept with said employer afterward?
“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just—” I pause. Swallow. “Look, I’m going to fix this, okay? Landon won’t bother you anymore.”
“El.” Her voice sharpens. “What aboutyou? Tell me what the hell is going on.”
“It’s complicated. I promise I’ll tell you everything when we see each other, okay? I have to go, but please, if anything else happens, call me. Immediately. Day or night.”
“Okay, El. You too.” A beat of silence, softer now. “I miss you.”
“Miss you too, Mare.”
I end the call and stand in the middle of my room holding a very heavy phone. My vision blurs before I can stop it.
I’m a mess. A complete, absolute disaster. I managed to drag my best friend into a situation she doesn’t deserve and can’t possibly understand. Maren is out there alone and in danger, all because of me.
I need to do something.
Do I tell Rolan?
I sit with the question for twenty minutes and make my choice.
