Chapter 19
Harmony
Vicki’s home is like being hugged by something familiar and comforting.
Squished between Serenity and Sully at Vicki’s kitchen table, I don’t miss the glares my sister sends Elias’s way.
He doesn’t react. Vicki fusses over everyone, making sure all the plates and cups are full.
Summer leans closer to the table and swipes her fingers through the green sauce on her enchiladas.
“Have you received any more texts?” Sully casually asks before scooping a bite of rice into his mouth.
I shake my head.
“Make sure you tell Elias right away if you do,” he says around a mouthful of food.
“I will.”
Although I’m praying there won’t be any more messages. If they were going to attack me, wouldn’t they have done it already?
Sully nods and stuffs another bite of enchiladas into his mouth.
“Have you found anything out?” Serenity asks Sully.
A little bit of the green sauce is caught in Sully’s mustache, and he dabs at it.
“Well, first we’re trying to see if we can find out where the messages were sent from. The members of my team aren’t experts on that as we are usually just security detail, but I have an acquaintance that might be able to help. If he can find out who is threatening Harmony, we can relax a little.”
“So, I might be stuck with a shadow for like, ever?” I ask, interrupting before Serenity can speak.
His light brown eyes darken a shade. “No. We’ll figure it out. I was just hoping to do it sooner rather than later.”
Vicki plops down on the other side of the table. “How about we have a little less depressing conversation, huh?” She turns to Elias. “How has business been, Mijo?”
Business? As in, Cutesy’s? Why is she asking him about it?
“Let’s talk about it later.”
“Later? Why?”
“We have company,” Elias says in a monotone voice. He eats a bite of rice and looks at me.
There’s something in his eyes that makes me want to reach across the table and grab his hand. My stomach swoops when he looks away. I pull out my phone.
Harmony
Is everything okay?
He glances at his watch before nodding once.
Harmony
Did my sister say something to you?
Again, he checks the message and nods.
Harmony
Do I need to kick her booty?
This time, he pulls out his phone and types a message.
Elias
No need to go to jail for me. It’ll be a lot harder to protect you in there.
My skin tingles under his intense stare after he places his phone in his lap.
Harmony
If it’s going to get us out of this dinner, then jail sounds nice. Just commit a crime and join me.
Elias:
Ah, yes, a typical Thursday night for me.
Harmony
Plus, I think you’d look great in an orange jumpsuit.
“Who are you two texting?” Serenity looks between us with a raised brow.
“No one,” Elias and I say at the same time. His cheeks turn red, and the image sears into my brain for probably eternity.
Serenity’s eyes widen.
I cut her off before she can speak, spewing out the first lie that comes to mind, “Just a girl I got to know on Everlasting Love.” A few of the other contestants did give me their numbers, but I’m not close enough to them to actually text them.
“How was your time on the show?” Sully asks, thankfully changing the subject. “Other than the threatening messages, I mean.”
I stifle a laugh. He’s as awkward as I remember. “It was okay. Victor was nice, and some of the other girls were amazing whenever I got nervous.”
“Victor was nice?” Vicki pipes up. “More like he’s the finest specimen I’ve ever seen.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that.” Serenity makes a face. “If you met him, you’d change your mind.”
“I can tune him out.” Vicki cackles. “He’s only two decades younger than I am. Think I have a chance?”
“Oh, absolutely.” Sully’s cheeks turn crimson. “But the city might be a bit too much for you. I’ve only been there for two years, and I already want to come home.” He turns to me. “What about you? Are you moving back?”
Everyone else is smiling, waiting for me to answer.
Then my eyes narrow in on the one person who isn’t.
Elias sits there quietly with a frown tipping his lips downward.
Maybe he’s still upset about his argument with Serenity.
Or is it talk about me moving away again? But, why would it matter to him?
“As soon as I can, I’m going.”
Everyone starts chattering, but I don’t make out any of their words.
It’s almost like I’m under water. I feel Elias’s dark gaze trained on me.
Trying to resist the pull, I keep my eyes glued to Sully.
He talks animatedly with Vicki. About what, I’m not sure.
It’s taking everything in me to not look over at the man who plagues my mind all day and night.
I give in and peek at Elias. His fork pauses midway as he meets my gaze.
I’m thrown back to four and a half years ago when Vicki invited my mom and Serenity over to dinner.
All of the happy chatter, the delicious food, our families together …
Something inside my chest pangs at the single thought of my mother.
I hope we figure this out soon because I need to get out of Granite Falls.
***
Serenity excused herself thirty minutes ago claiming it was Summer’s bedtime. I run my hands down my distressed jeans and exit Vicki’s bathroom. I’m so ready to head back to Elias’s house.
A man’s voice drifts down the short hallway, and I pause. “I can’t tell her yet.”
“What are you waiting for?” Vicki’s usual cheery voice is more serious than I’ve ever heard. “She needs to know.”
Sully sighs. “I’ll tell her when we’re both ready.”
“Her mother has been gone for three years now. It’s time.”
My heart jolts. Are they talking about my mother and me?
“I’m here and paying for her protection. Isn’t that enough for now?”
He’s … what? My breathing turns ragged, and I press my palm into my forehead. I should’ve questioned how I was assigned protection without a single payment. When he didn’t charge me, I thought I’d pay at the end. But why is he paying?
The sound of the front door opening makes Vicki and Sully go silent. Pasting the fakest of fake smiles onto my face, I head out to the living room and allow Elias to lead me to his car after saying our goodbyes.
“She needs to know.”
“I’ll tell her when we’re both ready.”
Neither of those statements makes any sense. What don’t I know? And what am I not ready for?