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Today, Elio has a meeting with his men. He should be in Indiana, should be leading them from there, but he’s not. He’s here with me, waiting until I feel safe enough to return to Indianapolis. I’m scared. What if we return, and things go back to how they were before all of this happened? I’m not sure I could cope with that.
Jade has to meet with her dad, something about plans for the nightclubs they're looking to purchase in and around Chicago. She also didn’t want to leave. If Elio’s not here, she’s like my shadow. I’m still not entirely sure I believe that she had no idea. She does look sincere whenever she tries to talk about it, but I’m not ready just yet.
Portia has a job interview in Jefferson City. She was excited to apply. I have a feeling that Kelvin set it up for her. The night of the Gala, they were talking afterward, and since then they’ve kept in contact. I’m happy for her. I really hope she gets the job. I’ll be sad if she does, as it will mean she’ll be leaving. I’m trying not to think about it, but I’m not going to be selfish. She deserves all the happiness she can get, and being able to get a job is a huge step for her.
The microwave dings, letting me know the popcorn is ready. Since Nell died, I’ve tried to watch a romantic comedy once a week, just because I know how much she loved them. I miss her and her bright smile every day. The pain of losing her is still with me, and I think it will always be. It’s not as debilitating as it had been.
I settle onto the couch, pulling the blanket around me, and select one of Nell’s favorite movies. I always feel much closer to her when I watch them. I know that if she were here, she’d be snuggled up beside me and snacking on the popcorn and junk food.
It’s not long before I feel my eyes drooping. I’m tired. I’m always tired these days. I don’t sleep much. The nightmares that take a hold of me rock me to my core, and I find it hard to fall back to sleep. So I nap a lot during the day. It’s working for me. I’m able to function better if I nap. I just wish I was able to sleep through the night.
* * *
I awake with a start.Blinking, I realize I fell asleep while the movie was on. It’s now finished. Sitting up, I stretch, trying to figure out what woke me. I strain to listen but it’s complete silence. Shaking my head, I reach for the remote control and switch off the TV. I’m still tired. I feel as though I could do with another nap.
I fix the couch, placing the blanket neatly on the back of it, and reach for the full bowl of popcorn. It’s cold and stale. Sighing, I empty it into the trash, regretting having made it. I tidy up the kitchen and reach for my cell that was left on the counter. If Elio came home and saw it on the counter and I was somewhere else, he’d pitch a fit. He’s made it clear numerous times that my cell has to be within touching distance at all times.
Checking it, I’m relieved there are no calls or texts. I thought for sure that Elio and Jade would have been bombarding me to check-in. They haven’t, which makes me smile. Maybe, just maybe, they’re able to trust me to be alone.
I strip down out of my clothes and pull on Elio’s shirt that he discarded last night. His fresh scent hits me, and I bring the collar to my nose and inhale deeply. God, I’m getting even more attached to him than I had been. It’s a scary feeling. He has the ability to break me harder than ever before.
I decide to send Elio a message. I know he’ll be worried about me, that much I do know about Elio. He cares, and it’s a weird feeling, but it’s not a bad one.
Teagan: I’m okay. I’m going to have a small nap.
It doesn’t take him long to reply.
Elio: Good girl.
My stomach flips and butterflies swarm. God, I can imagine that deep, delicious voice of his saying those words to me. I know I’m not ready for anything remotely intimate to happen between us. There’s so much pain that I feel whenever I think about us having sex. I just can’t go there yet. I know I need to heal before I even consider going to the next stage with him.
I can’t keep the smile off my face as I move around the bedroom, putting my clothes onto the chair, getting ready to climb into the bed.
My entire body tenses and my blood runs cold when I hear the sound of a door opening.
Elio, Portia, and Jade would have told me if they were returning to the house. My heart is racing, beating a mile a minute.
“If you want a job done,” I hear sneered, “you do it yourself.”
I suck in a sharp breath. God, I know that voice. I know it. It’s the man who was at the diner. The man who wanted to kill his boss.
Panic starts to rise inside. What am I going to do?
Footsteps sound, and my stomach drops. I can hear them getting closer. They’re not quiet. Not at all. I hear them working their way through the house. The closet door in the hall catches my eye. I know that if they look through the kitchen, office, and living room, they’ll head for the bedroom next. I move quickly, barely able to hold my breath as I push hard to get to the closet before I’m seen.
I make it just as I hear a man growl. “There’s no sign of her. Are you sure she’s here?”
“Yes,” I hear replied. “I’m positive. The boss is having a meeting. This is our only chance.”
There’s a dark laugh. “Good, then that fucking Mitchell bitch is going to die. Finally.”
I pull the door closed. The slats through the doors are giving me enough room to see through. The darkness of the room haunts me, pulling my memories from me. I can’t let them take a hold of me. I need to have a clear head. These men aren’t here for shits and giggles. They want to kill me, and if I don’t have my wits together, they’re going to do exactly that.
My hands are shaking. My entire body is trembling. I fear that my breathing is too heavy and is going to give away where I am. There are only slithers of light coming into the closet from the slats in the door. It’s not enough. I can’t breathe. It’s too much.
My cell buzzes in my hand, and I jump, covering my mouth to stop the squeal from coming out. Crap, the buzzing was loud. I hold my breath as I listen. The men are still at the front of the house. I’m okay for now. I raise my other hand and look at my cell. The buzzing was from a notification of one of the games I have on it. I swallow harshly, realizing that I need to call for help, but if I call someone, the men are going to know where I am. I quickly turn the sound off, not wanting any more notifications to sound and for the noise to give away my hiding spot.
Teagan: Someone’s here. There are at least two men. Elio, they’re going to kill me.
