Collateral (Collateral Damage 1)

She smiles uncertainly. “I’m sure Stefan will tell you as soon as he’s here.” She checks her watch. “Have you packed?”’

“Packed what exactly?”

“An overnight bag. You don’t need to worry about anything for tonight but take a dress for tomorrow. I’m not sure if you’ll come straight back or spend the day in Rome. He does like Rome.”

“When are we leaving?”

“Stefan should be here within the hour. Now go on, have your lunch first, then pack. He doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

No, I know he doesn’t.

I pull my iPod out of my pocket, go out to the patio and sit down at the table. I pop my earbuds in and switch on some music as I eat a sandwich and I’m about to put it down when a text message pops onto the screen.

I open it, smiling when I find it’s Alex.

“Gabi, I just got your messages and you have nothing to apologize for. What happened wasn’t your fault. I’m more worried about you. Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”

I tuck the iPod into my pocket and shove the last chunk of my sandwich into my mouth. “I’m going to pack, Miss Millie,” I tell her when I pass her on my way to the stairs. “I don’t want to keep Stefan waiting.”

At that she smiles. “That’s a good idea. Did you eat enough?”

“Yep.” I try not to charge up the stairs.

As soon as I’m in my room, I sit on my bed, lean against the headboard and type my reply.

“I’m okay. My punishment was watching what they did to you. Are you still at the hospital?” I ask.

“Long story, but I’m in Rome at my aunt’s house. And I’m not supposed to talk to you.”

“Rome? What? Why?”

“I guess your dad wanted to be sure I wasn’t a threat. I’m sorry, Gabi.”

“He sent you to Rome?”

“Yeah. And if he finds out we’re talking…”

“He won’t. I won’t let him hurt you again, I promise.”

“I have to go. I just wanted to tell you I’m okay before I disappear.”

“You’re not disappearing. Nothing’s going to happen to you. Things have changed, Alex. But I’ll be in Rome too. Tonight.”

I hear footsteps as I begin to type the rest of my message and when the door opens, I quickly drop the iPod, bolting upright. I’m sure I look guilty as hell when I meet Stefan’s eyes.

I try to relax, clear my throat, pull the earbuds out of my ears. “Ever hear of knocking?”

He eyes me curiously.

I get up, wrap the earbuds around the iPod and shove it into my duffel, my heart thudding against my chest.

“It’s my house. I don’t need to knock.” He looks me over. “Are you ready to go?”

I nod, zip up the duffel. “Yeah.”

He seems surprised by this but nods, and gestures for me to walk out into the hallway. When I get to the door, though, he extends his arm to block my way.

“What?” I ask, my mind working a million miles a minute, not sure what I plan to do, but if I’ll be in Rome and Alex is there, I need to see him.

Stefan’s eyes narrow and I have to steel my spine to hold his gaze. I tell myself to remember it’s not like he can read my mind.

He closes his hand on the strap of my duffel.

I pull back, but I know I need to relax.

“I’ll carry it,” he says.

It takes me a full minute to relinquish the bag to him.

“Any weapons I should know about?” he asks.

I remember the knife under my pillow. Can he read my mind?

“More guns?” he adds.

I exhale. I guess this is Stefan joking.

I’m not in a joking mood, though. Nor will I ever be with him. “You confiscated my weapon, remember?”

He studies me silently, his gaze too knowing, like he’s some sort of lie detector and for some reason, it’s hard to hide from him.

I step away, break eye contact with a shake of my head. “I forgot my toothbrush.” Without waiting for him to reply, I head to the bathroom, taking a moment there to breathe and calm down.

He’s just carrying my bag. He doesn’t know anything.

There isn’t anything to know.

I pick up my toothbrush and walk back out to find him still standing in the same spot.

“Ready,” I say.

He nods and gestures for me to go ahead. I head down the stairs, feeling him behind me with every step.

The front doors are open and Rafa is standing there. He smiles at me and I smile back.

“Catch your breath?” he asks.

“Catch yours?” I retort, slipping past him and to the waiting SUV.

A soldier opens the back door and I step in, turning back to find Stefan’s glance shift from me to Rafa. I get the feeling he didn’t know about our run this morning. Get the feeling he doesn’t like the idea.