AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“There's always room for negotiation when it comes to your health.”
“I'm okay, Ferny. I'm sure it'll be better after my tea.”
“Let's not waste any time getting it to you then.” He pulls down a mug from the cabinet and fills it with warm water from the silver kettle on the stove. Grabbing a tea bag laying on the counter, he dips it inside and hands me the mug, kissing my cheek before walking toward the front of the house.
“I'll start the car. Take all the time you need. If we're late then your father will have to get over it.” He opens the door, glancing behind him and waiting for my response before he walks outside.
“Okay,” I say, smiling behind my drink.
The door closes softly behind him and I sip the hot tea, allowing each swallow to slowly make it down to my stomach before drinking it faster. Normally it takes a few sips before I can tell if it'll only make matters worse. Luckily the minty warmth is soothing, offering a little relief.
The front door swings open and Fernando stands in the opening wearing a worried expression. “We need to leave now.”
My cup clinks against the counter and I look at him in confusion. “Did something happen?”
His Adam’s apple bobs in his throat and his face hardens. “Yes, and it's better for you to come see for yourself, rather than me telling you.”
Rushing his way, I grab my phone and keys from the table and we both exit the house at the same time. As I'm walking down the porch steps, he grabs my hand as if wanting to prevent me from reaching the car first. After only a few more steps I'm able to see what had him rushing inside unsettled. Through the smashed window is the same bloody hatchet I tossed in the large dumpster at my apartment complex before coming here.
My mouth goes dry and waves of nausea leave me nearly dizzy. Fernando grabs on to me, pulling me to his side. “Does this mean anything to you?”
I nod slowly, unable to form words. The tightness in my throat prevents my thoughts from surfacing and the one feeling I've fought so hard against all this time crawls up the back of my neck. Fear.
Dying doesn't scare me. I've come too close for it to phase me anymore and over time I’ve grown numb to the very idea. This was different though. Whoever was here knows all my darkest secrets and is taunting me with them.
“Enrico?” He squeezes my shoulder, pulling me out of my paralysis.
“It's the same hatchet I found in front of my door yesterday.”
His eyes widen and his anger only increases. “You found this in front of your door and didn't say anything about it? We might be hiding secrets from everyone else, but we don't keep them from each other.”
“I thought I handled it by not letting them see me affected by the little games they're playing.”
“Someone's following you and they know you're here.” A twisting sensation fills my chest. Would they hurt Fernando? If they know what he means to me, they may hang it over my head until they get what they want.
“I know but I don't understand how when I was careful. I never saw anyone behind me. Unless— Fuck.”
“What is it?”
Tugging at my hair, I stomp my feet into the ground. “Ricardo slept inside my apartment yesterday instead of staying in the car. They could have—”
“He did what?” Jealousy spirals in his eyes. “Why would he need to sleep inside your apartment? You hate having people in your space.”
“My dad ordered it. I wasn't given much of a choice. Relax, Ferny. The only one allowed in my bed is you.” My shoulder nudges his, and he shoots me an annoyed expression.
“Whatever. This is why you don't drug and tie up your guards. They more than likely attached a tracker on your car, and it's Ricardo's job to check for these things.” He leans on the hood of the car. “Now they know we're together and they want us to be aware of their discovery.”
“You think they'll use it against us somehow?”
“They definitely won't sit back and do nothing. I don't understand, why send a bloody, rusting hatchet—” His mouth stops moving when everything clicks into place. “I'm going to get rid of it this time and if it comes back, I'll be using it to cut their tongues out of their mouths.”
“What are you going to do with it?”
“Bury it somewhere after the service. We'll have to ensure they aren't following us first.”
“We are still going?”
“Yes. We can't have them be the reason to disrupt our day. It's what they want. We'll take my car after I'm sure it's safe.”
