Page 110 of Unraveled

“And nothing’s wrong?”

“No, I needed to hear that. From you.”

It was one of the strangest interactions of Cara’s life, certainly the oddest she’d ever had with Gian, but who was she to question the things that roamed around in his mind? Sometimes, he was so quiet, she wondered what his mind must be like.

“I have some shit to do, so give me a shout when the food is ready, okay?”

Cara nodded. “Sure.”

Something was definitely wrong, she decided as Gian walked away.

She still didn’t call him on it.

“Gian?” Cara rapped her knuckles on the opened office door and peered in to find Gian still had his head bent down as he looked over something on his laptop. “Supper is ready.”

“Can it wait for a minute?”

“It’s set out on the table, but it’ll be warm for a bit.”

“Good. Come here for a second.”

Cara stepped into the office, taking a seat on the couch closest to the window. “What’s up?”

“I bought you a ticket. It’s for tomorrow afternoon. To Chicago’s O’Hare.”

She wasn’t sure she heard him right.

“I beg your pardon?”

Gian looked over at her, his expression blank as he redelivered the news. “You’re going to have to leave for a while. I need you to go, for your own safety, as things are not good here on my end of things. Chicago is the best place to send you, considering everything.”

“No.”

“Cara—”

She stood fast from the couch. “Absolutely not, Gian.”

“It doesn’t matter how much you argue with me about this, and I know you’re going to try, mon ange, but it’s already been done. The ticket is bought. You’ll be in a first-class seat tomorrow afternoon, on your way to Chicago.”

“Like hell.”

“I already talked to your brother as well. He knows when to expect you. He’ll be there to pick you up.”

Cara didn’t care, and she was no longer listening. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Gian sighed. “Is that how you want to do this then?”

“I want to stay with you, Gian!”

“If I didn’t have to send you away, if I could choose any other option but this one, I would do that, Cara. I can’t. This is the only option that completely takes you out of the equation. That way, I can focus on the things I need to for a short while. The faster I get you into a safe zone, the quicker I can get you back with me. Don’t you understand that?”

“I said—”

Gian held up a single hand, quieting Cara instantly. “It is for your best interests.”

“Fuck you.”

He barely reacted to her stinging insult. Even she was surprised at the venom that her tone held.