from it, but there’s nowhere to go. “Glad we were able to have this conversation, Amelia.”
He puts the gun away and exits the car. His back is to me as he walks down a nearby subway staircase, disappearing. The light turns green, and I don’t move. Cars behind me honk, and I still can’t hit the gas. The honks continue to blare.
Shakily, I take my phone out of my bag. I need to call someone, but who? I’m being watched, I’m sure, surveilled in every way. So many eyes are on me, but I’ve never felt more alone in my entire life.
Chapter Nine
I’m surprised I don’t crash my car on the ride home. My hands clutch the steering wheel to keep steady, both the car and myself. I look around the lot for the white car Jesse was in last night. It’s not here. I have trouble getting into the front door of my building because I’m shaking so badly.
When I get to my apartment, I bolt the door and search the place, making sure there is no one inside.
I bite my nails as I stare out the window, wondering who is watching, listening … waiting.
“Amelia,” Jesse’s voice booms from the other side of the front door.
I jump and rush to the steel frame, pushing my eye against the peephole to confirm it’s Jesse. He’s looking down the hall one way and then the other. Unbolting the lock, I open the door and let him in.
“What happened to you?” he asks, his eyes wide with concern when he sees the state of me with my bloodshot eyes and frazzled, shaking body.
“Where the hell were you?” I pace the room. “You followed me all day yesterday. You camped out outside my parents’ house and then my place. You say you’re never going to leave me, and the moment I need you, you’re not around!”
He closes the distance between us, but I skirt away like a skittish cat.
“I had a meeting.”
“Enough of the lies, Jesse!”
“Why don’t you start by telling me why you’re unhinged?”
I form the shape of a gun with my hand and stare at it, vibrating in the air. “They found me. The Lugazzis or whoever it is that wants my father, they found me. This thug. This dark, sinister man. He … he was in my car when I got in it. He literally just appeared. There was a gun.” I push the spot on my head where the metal was pressed against it.
Jesse’s brow rises, and his face grows stern. “What did he say?”
“That’s your question? Not, What the hell was a man doing in your car? Or, Are you okay? Or, Did he hurt you?”
He runs his fingers through his hair and grips the base of his neck. “Fuck. You’re right. I’m sorry. Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”
I fold my arms across my body. “I’m fine. Just scared shitless.”
“Fuck!” he curses and bangs his fist against the door. “I knew I should have stayed with you. I followed you to your job but left when I got a call. I couldn’t get away.”
“Away from what, Jesse?”
He moves quickly toward me. “You have to trust—”
“Trust you? I don’t even know you!”
“Please, Amelia. I need you to talk to me. What did he say? The man in the car. What was his threat?”
I consider my options. I was frantic to see him here at my home, and now, I have this punch in my gut. One moment, I think he’s my great protector, and the next, he’s just as untrustworthy as everyone else. Twice, I fell for his heroism. Now, I’m back to feeling like there’s no one who can protect me.
“I can’t tell you.” I take three steps back as my mouth goes dry, and I try to swallow the shaking nerves that are taking over me.
“Why not?”
“This was wrong.” My arms are up like protective shields. I’m hot and sweaty. The walls feel like they’re closing in. “I shouldn’t have let you in. Go home. You’re making it worse.”
He closes the space between us. I gasp for breath as the panic sets in.
“I’m not leaving you.”
“You need to.”
“Why?” he pleads.
“Because he’ll kill them!” I shout before bursting into tears. My knees give out as I fall to the floor. Heaving sobs burst from my lungs as the anxiety and nervousness of the past few days hit me hard and come barreling out like the rapids of the Niagara Falls.
I gasp for breaths as I fight