I huff out a bitter laugh, staring up at the sky, the stars blinking coldly above me. “You could say that.”
Felix’s voice is softer when he speaks again. “Are you okay?”
I swallow hard, the lump in my throat making it difficult to breathe. “Yeah,” I whisper, my fingers tightening around the phone. “I’m okay.”
“We’re less than ten minutes away. Just keep talking to me, alright? Tell me where you’ve been.”
I hesitate. My conversation with Jaymin feels like something I need to process on my own first, something I’m not ready to share. “It’s ... complicated,” I hedge, my gaze flicking up and down the empty street.
“But you’re safe? You’re not hurt?” he asks, his voice laced with concern.
“I’m not hurt,” I assure him. “Just ... a little shaken up.”
We fall into small talk, the minutes ticking by as I keep my eyes on the dark road. I’m glad Felix made me stay on the phone. Being out here, alone, in the dark, sends a chill creeping up my spine. Every gust of wind, every shadow feels like it’s hiding something. Someone.
A pair of headlights cuts through the night, the beams growing brighter as they approach. My heart picks up, and I squint, trying to make out the car.
“That’s us,” Felix says through the phone. “I see you. We’re pulling up now.”
We both end the call as his car pulls to a stop in front of me. The passenger door flies open before the car even comes to a full stop, and Felix curses as Gabriel barrels out, heading straight for me.
“Cecilia!” Gabriel’s voice is hoarse, desperate. Before I can even process what’s happening, he has me wrapped in his arms, my feet lifting me off the ground like he can’t bear the distance.
His body is warm, solid, and I cling to him without hesitation. My heart is pounding in my chest, and I squeeze him tight. His breathing is ragged as he buries his face in my neck, and I feel the soft tremble in his shoulders.
“Fuck, I was so worried,” he breathes, his lips brushing the sensitive skin of my throat. His hold on me is tight, like he’s afraid I’ll disappear if he loosens his grip.
I don’t understand what’s happening. He was so angry earlier. But right now, all I feel is his desperation, his need to be close to me.
I don’t have time to think, to question. My body reacts to his without thought, my arms winding tighter around his neck, holding him like he’s the only thing keeping me grounded.
He sets me back on my feet, but his hands never leave me, cupping my face, his forehead pressed against mine. “I thought I lost you,” he whispers, his breath warm and ragged against my skin.
I blink, confusion swirling inside me. “I thought you were mad?—”
He cuts me off with his mouth, crashing into mine with a fierceness that steals my breath. For a split second, I forget everything—where I am, what I was going to say—and kiss him back, hard. His lips are demanding, his kiss rough and desperate, and I can feel the raw emotion behind it.
But then reality slams into me.
“Wait,” I gasp, pulling back, but Gabriel doesn’t let go. His lips press to my cheek, my temple, trailing warmth and fire wherever they touch.
“Gabriel—”
“It’s okay,” he murmurs against my skin. “I’ve got you. I’m here.”
But that’s not what I mean. I push against his chest, confusion and anger swirling inside me, mixing into a chaotic mess. “I can’t do this,” I whisper, more to myself than to him, but I push harder.
His arms drop, uncertainty flickering in his eyes as I step back, the space between us suddenly too much and not enough at the same time.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, his voice cracking slightly.
I shake my head, tears pricking the backs of my eyes. “Where is this coming from?” My voice is shaky, my chest tightening with emotions I don’t understand. “You were furious with me a few hours ago. You wouldn’t even talk to me. What’s changed?”
His face softens, and he steps closer again, his hand reaching for mine. “I was an idiot,” he admits, his voice rough with regret. “I thought I lost you, Cecilia.” His words are a whisper, meant only for me. “When I found out Holt got out and I couldn’t find you ... I thought … I can’t even say it out loud.”
I look into his eyes, seeing the truth there. The fear. The vulnerability. He pulls me close again, pressing my head to his chest. His heart races beneath my ear, pounding hard and fast.
“Fuck, I hope you can forgive me,” he whispers into my hair, his voice broken. “Ineedyou to forgive me. I was out of line. I wasn’t—” he chokes out his words. “I wasn’t thinking straight.”
