Chapter 12
Chapter
Twelve
Thursday
“I think I aced that test.” Val beams at me over the rim of her coffee cup as we sit at a local cafe on campus.
How she’s so awake is beyond me. I slept well, considering, but I still woke up exhausted from the shit yesterday. She’s been talking my ear off about the exam and now the party that the sorority house is prepping for tonight. I’d almost forgotten.
Maybe she’ll let me out of it?
“Don’t even think about it. A party is exactly what you need to fucking relax.” I roll my eyes, knowing I shouldn’t have even bothered.
“Fine,” I mumble as I take a bite from my donut and then almost choke on it when I see the mystery biker across the street.
“Jesus, are you okay? Here, drink some water.” She tries to shove her glass into my hands, but I’m too busy trying to breathe and signal her to look outside.
“Val, he’s here.” I cough to clear my airway more and point out the window.
“That fucker.” Val stands and storms to the door.
I grab my stuff to chase after her.
“HEY!” She screams at the guy as she starts crossing the street with no regard for her well-being.
The honking and cursing, which is relatively normal for New York City, intensifies as people hit their brakes to avoid hitting her.
“WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?” She yells over the commotion.
The biker never even turns her way. His field of vision stays on me, and just when Val is a few feet away, he takes off, but not before pointing to a tree behind him.
I cross the street like a normal person and rush over to her.
“Are you fucking crazy? What if he was armed?” At that thought, I glance around for my security and from.
“Where the fuck are your guards?” Val asks is coming to the same conclusion as me.
“I don’t know,” I admit and glance over at the tree.
A white gift bag with a bow sits on the ground where the biker indicated.
“Fuck, he wanted me to find that.” I turn Val around to see it, and she curses.
“Think it’s a boom?” At this point, I wouldn’t put anything past this guy.
“It’s probably a whip and gag.” She stares at me like I’ve grown a second head.
“I do watch porn, you know.” She laughs as she gets closer to the bag.
“I don’t hear any ticking.” I roll my eyes.
“No fucking funny. I’m calling Alfie. If he’s paying for my detail, he needs to know they’re slacking.” I take out my phone and dial the familiar number, but it rings to voicemail.
A cold sense of dread rolls down my spine.
“He always answers.” I look up at Val in shock.
“Marco,” Val says, and I groan.
But she’s right.
I search for his number because, God knows, I barely call it and hit dial. It rings four times before he answers.
“Busy,” I tamp down my temper cause that could mean he’s killing or hiding a body.
“I’ll keep it short. My detail is missing, and Alfie isn’t answering.” I hear a grunt followed by several curses in Spanish.
“Go home. Text me when you arrive. Don’t leave until I say so.” The phone goes dead, and I look at Val.
“He said to go home and not leave.” We’re only a few blocks away and were planning to head there anyway, but being told that is like being punished for no reason.
“Wow, this is crazy.” She shakes the bag, and I cringe.
“Careful!” I hiss as I look around.
“It’s not a bomb. It is, however, the craziest gift to buy a stranger that I’ve ever seen.” No way.
“Even worse than yesterday?” She nods and hands me the bag.
I look inside and find my favorite chocolate truffles, a bottle of Midol, and a heating pad. Under it all, another note. I open it and take a deep breath before reading it out loud.
“Stay in her bed won’t keep me away. I’m coming for you soon.” I look up at Val and frown.
“He got in again.” I shrug.
“When’s your period due? Why would he give you this now? It’s got to be someone you know.” I pull out my phone and check the app I use to track my cycle.
“Shit, Saturday. But the Doc said with the IUD, I may not get them anymore.” Val taps her chin in thought.
“Well, that means whoever this is hasn’t seen you recently.” That’s not much help.
But it does beg to question where the fuck my security detail has been since now that I think back, it’s been well over twenty-four hours since I’ve laid eyes on them.
“Do you think this is just Marco playing tricks on you?” I sigh and shake my head.
“No. It’s not his style. That would imply he gives a shit. But I do trust him enough to follow his instructions. He might not care for me as his flesh and blood, but he would never endanger me because he knows Alfie would fucking flip.” Val nods and takes the bag from me.
“What are you doing?” I ask as he goes over to the garbage cans.
“Taking out the trash. That shit might be poisonous, and no way are we leaving it where a kid can find it.” I glance around at all the innocent bystanders and gulp.
It’s not just me in danger, but anyone around me. I follow Val as I think of a way to get back to the mansion tonight. But then Marco’s voice enters my mind.
Go home. Text me when you arrive. Don’t leave until I say so.