“Yes. Of course.” I end the call feeling a lot lighter. My phone rings, and it’s my security team. Suddenly the world just crumbles around me.
Chapter Twelve
Amelia
This morning has been total shit. All I want to do is go see Roman, but first I messed up and read on my phone until I passed out. I remembered to plug it in at two in the morning when I woke up to pee, but my sleepy self didn’t check to see that it was actually charging. No, instead I wake up to a dead battery and a cord that’s not even plugged into the wall.
Making a mad dash out of the dorm, I head out to get my textbooks, forgetting that I left my phone on the charger. By the time I realize it, I'm about five blocks away and I'm not turning back. I only have this one stop and then I can go back and shower to see Roman. God, I miss him like a silly teenage girl. I wonder if he's already called today. I suppose I'll have to make it up to him later.
I enter the bookstore and it's slightly busy. Since I don't have my phone, I have to use their system to get a list of my textbooks. Twenty minutes later, with the help of the guy who works there, I have all my books. The shit is heavy. My back is going to be killing me by the end of the semester for sure. I groan as I plop them on the counter to pay. I'm almost out of the place when I see a familiar face—one I have no interest in seeing again.
"Amelia, I forgot you'd be here. I thought you'd be locked up in your stepbrother's ivory tower."
"Jake, I'm sorry that he offends you, but I know there's nothing between you and me. There never was. I'm sorry. I wish you the best." I go to leave, and he grips my wrist. "Jake. Let go."
"Just remember that when he tosses you to the curb for the next flavor of the month, I won't be there."
"Okay. Now let go of my arm before I bite you."
"Feisty," he growls, letting go at the same time. I take my purchases and head out of the store. I get this sleazy feeling. Damn it, what is with Jake? He seemed like a pretty good guy when we first met, and then Roman showed up and Jake gives me a dangerous vibe like I should walk on the other side of the street armed to the gills.
I trudge my things in my bags and I wonder where my shadow is. That guy usually follows me everywhere. He needs to get better at his job because I’ve known he’s been with me since before Roman left Madison. It’s funny because I thought he was there to guard Roman, but he’s been there for me. Roman told me it’s for my safety, given the current climate surrounding his life, but there’s a tiny bit of curiosity that maybe he’s there because Roman doesn’t trust me.
I should find that shit and make him carry my heavy books, but I don’t. Now, I’m really regretting Roman’s offer to give me a personal driver. The books are in these reusable college bookstore logo bags with wide enough straps to fit my arms through, so I keep one on each side and march on toward my campus housing.
I’m almost to the last stretch before the entrance when a woman approaches, stopping directly in my path. I freeze because her face is familiar to me. Her smile is similar to Roman’s, but there’s something scary about it. How did she find me? Why is she looking for me? I think back immediately to the fire at Roman’s office. This all can’t be a coincidence.
"What do you want?"
"So you know who I am?"
"Yes, I was shown your picture as a precaution. Like I said—what do you want?"
"I wanted to let you know that my son believes you and I have met before."
"No, he doesn't. I refuse to believe that."
"I showed him this photo. Are you trying to say he doesn't believe his own eyes?" She presses the picture against my chest. I flip it over and gasp. There I am, smiling and laughing with my mother and this woman. I don't remember speaking to her ever. She made this up. I was talking to the local mayor running that event.
"I can't believe it."
"He was extremely upset with you."
"No. I don't believe you showed him.”
“Oh, I did." She presses play and she has a brief clip of them talking. I've heard all I need to hear. I slap the picture back in her chest and brush right past her, but I don't get far. I feel strong arms wrapped around me, and I look up to see the man that's been guarding me.