35. Dante
DANTE
I’ve been driving like a madman back from the city, likely breaking several traffic laws in the process to make it back to my house in time for dinner with Rose, but when I check the tracker for her phone, it’s not at the house.
I quickly check the tracker on her car, which is at the house.
Where the hell is she? Did someone take her?
Did someone find her and steal her from me while I was away?
Fuck, this can’t be happening! Before I completely lose my shit, I zoom in on her blinking phone tracker dot to get a better idea of her location.
My temper and panic are momentarily calmed when I see she’s at the diner.
But only for a moment because how did she get there if her car is at my house?
Pulling up her contact info, I hit the Call button and wait for her to pick up, but after only a few rings, it goes straight to voicemail.
Did she ignore my call? Or is she actually in trouble?
Is she even the one with her phone, or is this an attempt to distract me?
I knew I should’ve placed a tracker directly on her, but I thought that would be a step too far.
Well, not anymore, not after this. I will be rectifying that tonight while she’s asleep, but first I need to get to the diner immediately.
I redial her number again in the event that she didn’t ignore my call and something else caused her not to answer.
Voicemail. Again. Luckily, I wasn’t far from the diner, and I’m pulling into the parking lot, barely giving myself enough time to put my car in Park before swinging my door open and walking toward the front door, phone in hand, dialing Rose one last time.
The bell over the door announces my arrival, and I turn to find Rose sitting in her booth, bringing her phone to her ear, but I don’t say a word because, at that same moment, she looks up and we make eye contact just as the call connects. And I see that she isn’t alone. Luca. I should’ve known.