Chapter 25 Tobias #2
“Wait…but if he did that to you…that must mean you’ve seen him pretty recently.” Gabe grimaces. “Dude. Is he stalking you?”
I suck in a breath. “Stalking. Extorting. Blackmailing. Pick your poison." I take a huge sip of my drink. I think I may need something stronger.
“Tobias…that’s crazy. Have you told anyone?”
I smirk, waving my finger at him. “Nope. Because that would mean having a brain. Something I’m clearly lacking.” I rub my hand on my face. “He knew exactly how to get under my skin and now I’m fucked.”
Gabe shakes his head. “You’re not. The cops would understand.”
I drop my hands in my lap. “But, will Elijah?”
A beat passes between us as Gabe thinks about my question. “Yeah…yeah, he would. I don’t know him half as much as you do, but I can tell how deeply you two care about each other. If he loves you, which he clearly does, he’d understand why you kept it from him.” Gabe nods curtly.
I inhale deeply. “Are you drinking that?” I ask, pointing at his glass.
His eyebrows raise in surprise before he shakes his head, sliding the glass back to me. I take it in my hand and sigh. Tipping my head back, I swallow the whole thing.
I close my eyes, imagining how nice it’d be to have Elijah here. Holding me and making me feel like everything’s okay.
I swallow deeply. “I sure hope you’re right.”
Gabe smiles prideful, like he’s done a good job. “Maybe I should look into becoming a counselor or something.”
I laugh at this. “Yeah, maybe you should. But first, you should probably figure out what to do about that problem of yours.” I tilt my chin towards him.
He tongues his bloody lip. “Yeah…I guess I do.”
I feel an overwhelming sense of duty come over me. “Can I just say…if someone puts their hands on you…that is never love. People who love you will never put their hands on you.”
Gabe stills. His body unmoving, eyes locked on mine. “What if it’s to save you from yourself?”
My brows furrow as I try to piece together what he’s trying to say.
Before I can make sense of it, my phone is buzzing on the table.
Gwen’s number? At six am?
I rush to answer. “Hey. Everything okay?” My heart thumps in my chest. I’m sure Gabe can hear it from across the table.
“Hey, are you home right now?”
“No, I’m at Jude’s Place. I couldn’t sleep. What’s wrong?”
Gabe sits up properly in his seat, hanging on to my words.
Her anxiety is putting me on edge. I can feel her emotions through the phone.
“You should come back. I stopped by to check-in with you before I head to work and…I saw a light on the top floor.” She sucks in a breath. “In Jude’s bedroom.”
I spring up.
“Shit. I’m on my way.” I hang up the phone and start for the door.
Dammit, I’ve been drinking so I can’t drive. Whatever, I’m faster on my feet anyway.
“You need me to come?” Gabe asks, following me to the door.
“No, it’s fine. Everything’s fine.” I lie before I leave and run all the way home.
***
I run up the front door steps while a worried Gwen runs up behind me.
“I didn’t want to go inside until you got here because well…” she sniffles.
I shake my head, my keys jostling in my hands until my shaky fingers find the right one. “No, it’s okay. I’m glad you didn’t.” Knowing Derrick has a weapon on him makes me uneasy. I wouldn’t want him to be alone with Gwen.
We step into the house and immediately look around. The place is still. No sign of disruption. Walking to the kitchen, I slip out one of the biggest kitchen knives we have. I swallow deeply looking at it in my palm, feeling the weight of it in my hand.
“You prepared to use that?” Gwen hesitantly asks, stepping into the doorway.
I clench my teeth. “If I have to.”
She nods softly, stepping out of the way as I walk past her.
Honestly, no. I’m not sure if I could use it. But, if it comes down to it…I may just have to if it’s the only option I have.
“You should stay down here.” I whisper to her.
“Oh, my ass. There’s no way.” She shakes her head.
Alright. I nod, knowing there’s no winning this argument.
Creeping upstairs slowly, I listen carefully to hear of any movements apart from our own.
Each step is heavier than the last as we make our way. Only the soft blue hue from the coming dawn streaming in from the hallway windows are our only lightsource.
That is, until we reach the second floor and the soft yellow light from Jude’s room spills out from under the closed door.
I never go in here. No, something’s up.
I glance back at Gwen who gives me a wary nod and comforting smile. I tighten my hand around the handle of the knife as I step forward.
My heart in my throat, I push down my fear. If he’s here…it means he’s looking for something. Maybe for me. Maybe for Elijah. Whatever it is—it’s not in good faith.
I have to be sure.
“Stay back.” I hold my hand out to Gwen, and thankfully, this time she listens to me.
My pulse is so loud it feels like whoever’s inside could probably hear it.
With a shaky fist, I twist the door handle and step through.
My heart hammers in my chest the moment I swing the door open. It bangs against the doorstop, making my whole body jump.
Gwen lets out a quiet shriek, quickly covering her hands over her mouth.
I give her a reassuring smile, before turning back to the room.
Looking around, it looks like nothings out of place. I walk into Jude’s bathroom, thankfully seeing nothing moved around in here too.
Drawers are full. Blankets are untouched. If someone was here, they didn’t take anything.
I check the walk in closet, behind the door, and even under the bed.
Everythings coming up empty.
“Coast is clear.” I call out.
I sit on the edge of the bed, dropping the knife down beside me and stuffing my head in my hands.
How long has that light been on that I didn’t notice it?
Maybe I had unknowingly turned it on? Did I sleepwalk?
Am I going crazy?
I’ve been so tired.
Gwen sits down beside me, rubbing big circles into my back. “You okay?”
I breathe out heavily. “I don’t even know anymore.”
“Maybe we should call the cops.”
Maybe I should. Tell them Derrick has been in touch. Tell them about the money. The clothes. How he’s possibly been to the house coincidentally the same night they called themselves off.
But what good would that do? What if he sees their cruisers come back and he realizes I called them? What if he holds onto his promise by dragging Elijah into this?
He’ll make good on his threat. His promises. Everything.
I shove the thought off. No. I can handle this.
I have to.
“No. Everything’s okay.” I shake my head.
Her eyebrows pinch as she looks at the knife beside me on the bed. “We’ve got to tell Elijah.”
My eyes widen. “What? No. Gwen, that’s not—”
“Tobias, you shouldn’t be dealing with all of this on your own. It’s not right and it’s not what Elijah would want..” She shakes her head.
Panic courses through me as I think about how he’d react to all of this.
“Please…” I breathe out. “Don’t tell Elijah about this. Any of this.” I plead.
“Why? He’s your partner. He loves you. He would understand all of this—”
“I’m supposed to be keeping him safe,” I rush out. “I promised Jude.” I feel a harsh pressure sit on my chest. Tears threaten to spill over.
She breathes out deeply, looking over my face.
“Fine. I’ll keep it to myself. Even though I don’t agree.
” She reaches for the knife, picking it up in her hand and staring down at the blade.
“But I will continue to check-in on you.” I open my mouth to refuse but before I can, she continues.
“Because I promised Jude the same thing.” Her eyes glisten as she sets the knife down, exchanging it for my hand.
We both give each other a squeeze before she brings me into a tight hug. “Please let me keep my promise,” she repeats quietly. It’s only then that I realize she’s crying onto my shoulder.
I suck in a shaky breath as I squeeze her even tighter. “Okay.” I nod, rubbing her back. “Okay.”