Chapter 10
“It’s not like whoever sent that text said he would kill me,” I interrupt.
Lisa looks like she does not believe me right now. “Someone that makes threats like that
can and has killed people. He’s a dangerous person. He has your number. And he knows
you. Knows your former workplace. Knew where you were when he sent you that text.
And…he sort of likes you? I don’t know…” She runs her hand through her curly brown
hair.
“Oh shit.”
“Bitch, you’re screwed.”
It’s my turn to chug alcohol down my throat like it’s water.
“But why do you attract creeps?” Lisa asks me and I send her a glare. “First, your boss and
now this?”
“Do you think he’s the one that broke in?”
“I don’t know,” Lisa says. “You’re the one who witnessed the break in.”
“I didn’t see anyone. I just think I heard the front door open…and footsteps. More than
one person.” My hand grips my glass now.
“So, your problems are more than one now.”
Not helping, I want to tell Lisa. But my gaze cuts to the front of Carlo’s Pot. The front of
the restaurant is a transparent stretch of glass wall that gives a clear view of the street.
Right now, there are several people outside the restaurant, milling about the street, but I notice a shadow far from the rest, far from the light. He’s tall, looks muscular under all that black. His face is concealed in the darkness. Behind him is a sleek, high–end car.
The black of the car is so deep, so dark, like pure poison and something tells me the owner, the man who stands in front of it now, is very dangerous.
The city is full of dangerous people everywhere, whether they look it or not, so that should not worry me…too much. The concerning part is that it seems- looks like- this man’s gaze is on me.
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Chapter 10
In fact, the realization has the baby hairs on the back of my neck rising and my heart beat racing… From fear- Lisa just let me know that there’s something absolutely wrong and I might be in danger- but also from intrigue.
I’ve never wanted to know more about some stranger than I do now.
“Nicole!”
I whip my head quickly to face Lisa, my eyes wide with fear. “What?”
She stares back at me weirdly. “You were gone for like a minute.”
I blink. Oh. “There was a guy at the parking lot.”
“How can you be checking guys out at a time like this?”
“I wasn’t even able to see his face.” I slap a hand across my face. “I mean, I wasn’t checking him out. This one… there was something weird about him. Turn right now and you’ll see him.”
Lisa turns back and then she faces me. “Which of the weirdos at the parking lot do you mean?”
While that is uncharitable, Lisa has always had a sharp tongue like me, but she takes it further by having a savage personality. I don’t even have the balls to smile, because I was somewhat shaken a few seconds ago.
I turn to face the glass and point out the mysterious man, but he’s gone. There are just two men on one side of the porch of Carlo’s Pot, discussing as they smoke. There is a woman coming inside the restaurant with her toddler. Some group of three friends laugh drunkenly as they walk past the street.
The car is gone too.
“Nicole.” There is concern in Lisa’s eyes.
No. Not that look. She’s looking at me like I would probably look at myself now. Like I’m
crazy.
“He was there. Some guy dressed in all–black,” I say defensively.
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Chapter 10
“That’s it, we need to call your brother. I don’t want you going off the deep–end on my watch.” Lisa takes her glass up and finishes her drink.
“But rather on his watch?” I shake my head dramatically at her. “I’m not sure he’ll like it, seeing as you’re trying to court him and all.” I cackle slightly. “I would have put in a good
word for you.”
“Fine,” Lisa says, blowing a huff of air. “We need to get to the bottom of this. I’m going to stay with you tonight. Any monsters or apparitions that try to mess with you tonight will
have to go through me.”
I hug her from across the table. “Love you.”
“I’m sure you do. Send your brother a text now. Tell him it’s a near–death situation and he should call right now.”
