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“Everything okay?” Faith asks.
I continue to edge my way from behind the table, clutching at my shoulder bag as I explain, “That was my neighbor… my house alarm is going off. I have to go home and turn it off before the police show up.” I make a face, showing my annoyance but secretly relieved to have been rescued from this evening.
“Won’t it stop after a little while? Mine does,” Faith inquires.
“Not in my neighborhood.” No one knows I’m house-sitting for my parents, and they live on one of the most affluent streets in the area. The security systems on their street would rival The White House. I’m more concerned about why the alarm is going off. “Look, I’m sorry, guys, but I have to go turn it off.” Faith stands, but I signal for her to remain seated.
In the moment of confusion, Gianni took advantage of the distraction and left. The guy really is like a whirlwind. I say my goodbyes, wondering how the evening will pan out with only Faith and Casey left at the restaurant. I make it out onto the street, the chilly night air attacks me, and I shiver. I pull my phone out of my bag and am ready to call a taxi when a voice from behind startles me.
My immediate thought is of Carl. The last time I saw him, I’d been standing outside the bar, shivering in the evening chill. I’d followed him into the shadow of a small alleyway. I’d kept my distance as he’d talked, his words penetrating me no matter how hard I tried to repel them.Long time no see. You haven’t changed. Let me fuck with your head a little before you go.
It was just like before.
I try to walk away, but we are face to face, my back pressed against the wall, his arm grazing the side of my head, blocking my exit as he leans in closer. His face is inches from mine. I smell cigarettes and beer and see the dark flecks in his eyes as they narrow.
“Cora must never find out, do you hear?” His voice is thick and dark as licorice. I nod, my breath trapped in my lungs as he moves closer. “Never,” he warns. He drops his arm, and I push off the wall, propelling myself forward. I am about to turn the corner when he says my name.
“And, Chloe…” he calls, “… I haven’t forgotten what you did to me.” Even without the help of the shadows, there is a darkness to his face, mingled with an anger I can almost taste.
“I’ll take you home.” I turn, the shadows of Carl disappearing as I come face to face with Gianni, his own brand of darkness shrouding him.
“There’s no need. I can call a taxi.” I’m pleased I’ve found my voice but unnerved by this seemingly helpful gesture.
“You’ll be waiting all night for a taxi at this time.”
“But don’t you have somewhere to be?” He considers this, jingling his keys in his trouser pockets as his gaze hovers.
“Nothing that can’t wait.” I stand a second too long as the screech of a drunken woman sails across the street. She stumbles along the pavement, shoes in one hand, her friend holding her up with the other. He is right. At this time of night, getting a taxi could take up to an hour. What harm could it do to let him drop me at home?
“All right.” My reply is guarded, and I wonder if Gianni notices.
“Follow me.” He turns and walks up the street. I follow, my heels clicking on the concrete as I try to keep up with him. I need to remain calm and convince myself he is simply being helpful, but it doesn’t sit right. Why do I feel like I’m being lured into something that will only end with my demise?
It isn’t long before we reach a large black car, a shiny executive thing that is far too big for merely driving to work. The lights flash as the doors click open. Gianni pulls open the passenger door for me. I slide in, instinctively looking around to see if anyone has seen us. I tell myself to stop being paranoid. I’m not doing anything wrong, but this feeling is all too familiar.
I settle into the cold leather seat. The interior of the car smells like a car showroom, but that is quickly overpowered by Gianni’s cologne as he joins me. Bemusement clouds his face as he fires up the engine.
“Seat belt.”
He’s staring out the front window, so I don’t understand what he is talking about until I notice I haven’t put my seat belt on, something I normally do automatically. I’m in danger of being consumed by him. I shouldn’t be here. I lean over to my left and pull the seat belt over my body, fumbling with the thick, heavy strap as I try to click it into its slot. As I struggle, I feel his eyes upon me as the simple mechanism of the seat belt becomes an impossible conundrum. His patience wears thin, and he grabs the clip. His body is suddenly in my personal space, his hair inches from my face as he leans over and slots the metal clasp into place. I blink, trying to swallow without making a sound as he returns to his driving position, seemingly unscathed by our near-contact as opposed to me. I am now a quivering wreck.
“Where to?” he asks.
“Riverton Close.” I scan him, but his eyes remain glued to the road. “Do you know it?”
“Is it further down from the station?”
“Yes.”
“Then I do.”
The traffic thins as we drive out of the center of town. An uneasy silence descends. I’m too aware of how much flesh I have on show as my skirt has ridden up my legs. With every gear change, Gianni’s hand moves closer to my bare skin, sending a charge through my body. The idea of his hands upon me creeps further into my brain with every second I’m confined in this car. I try to shake it off—no good will come of these thoughts. I need something to distract me, to pull me from the dangerous ideas swirling through my brain.
“Why did you buy my paintings?” I blurt out. There is relief in my voice that I’ve thought of something to say that isn’t just small talk. Gianni chews this over, his tongue exploring his teeth as his eyes flicker against the oncoming traffic.
“I needed something to fill the wall space.”
“You could’ve bought anything for the shop.”
