Page 27 of Glitched Fates & Stolen Mates

My paranoid brain immediately went into overdrive. What if someone was following me and they were calling to taunt me? What if it was some kind of trap? What if—

Stop it, I told myself. It’s probably a spam call.

But when it rang a third time, my hands shook as I fumbled for the accept button.

“Hello?” I said tentatively, as if expecting some spooky voice to jump-scare me.

“Felix? Is that you? It’s Emma.”

“Oh… um… hi?” What the hell was Priya’s girlfriend calling me for? I really didn’t have the energy for this tonight. “Can I help you?”

“I’m sorry to just ring you out of the blue like this.” She sighed deeply. “I’m just… I’m going out of my mind, Felix, and you’re the only one I trust.”

Cold dread settled in my stomach. “How so?”

“I’m going out of my mind worrying about Priya. About whether she’s safe or not.”

“What do you mean?”

“Look, could you… could you please just tell me what the hell goes on in that building all day?”

My voice pitched higher. “Oh, at Killigrew Street Hotel?”

“Yes, Felix. Killigrew Street Hotel. Where you all go. Every single day.”

“We’re… we’re renovating the building!” My voice came out squeaky and unconvincing. “You know that! Priya’s told you all about it, and… and… her project!”

“Felix! Cut the crap. I’ve never seen even a lick of paint on any of you, and there’s no way you’re a fucking electrician! And I’m becoming less and less convinced Priya is even enrolled in an interior design course!”

For a long moment, the only sound was my rapid breathing as I fought against hyperventilation. I considered hanging up, my thumb hovering over the red button.

“I just don’t know why she’s spun me this ridiculous lie! Well, I do know,” she added bitterly. “You’re all up to something dodgy. Something illegal. I knew Sebastián was trouble from that night he attacked Flynn in an alley.”

“Right… the alley…” I repeated, heart rate in overdrive. I was heading for a full system crash.

“The only thing I can think of is that you’re all in a gang together. But I’m not going to lie—if you’re a gang, then you’re the weirdest gang I’ve ever seen.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Is it money laundering, Felix? Are you money laundering? Please tell me it’s money laundering and nothing worse!”

“I… have to go.” I couldn’t take another second of the conversation.

“Wait!” she shouted, desperation seeping into her tone. “Is Sebastián threatening you all? Because if he is, I can help. The police can help.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I just need to know that she’s safe!”

“You need to talk to Priya about this!” I basically screeched at her, then hung up, my heart thumping so fast I clutched my chest. I forced two large, unsteady gulps of air into my lungs.

Jesus Christ.

My hands were still shaking as I stared at the phone screen. Had I said too much? Not enough? Emma clearly wasn’t buying it.

What if she actually went to the police?

I rubbed my face, trying to think through the panic. This was exactly the sort of situation I was rubbish at handling. I bet she targeted me to ring because she knew I’d crumble. The weekly IT support stories I relayed to my parents were rehearsed for hours the night before, and I’d spent days building my pretend company a flawlessly convincing website. I’d gone as far as building in the ability to order barcode scanners, and they’d actually arrive at your address.

But fending off Emma’s barrage of questions? That was on another level.

I’d have to tell Priya tomorrow about the call. But how do you even begin that conversation? “Oh, by the way, your girlfriend thinks we’re all liars and criminals and specifically suspects your boss of being a violent gang leader.”