“That’ll work. We can stay up and watch movies. I’ll let you have first dibs at the popcorn.”
“I know what you’re doing Noah, and I appreciate it. I really do. But I need to be alone right now. I’m just too raw. I’ve had too much to think about the past few days, and this is just overload. I just want to bury my head under the covers. Do you understand?” She looked at him with huge eyes.
“Yeah, I do, but I’m not happy about it. I wish you’d turn to me. How are we supposed to make this work if you turn from me when you need my help the most?” He rubbed his hands over his face.
“I did turn to you. You were the one I called. I didn’t even think. When I saw Pepper was sick, I called you.” She raised her hands and let them fall back down onto her lap. “I’ve thought about everything we’ve talked about. I’ve even had the ladies giving me their two cents. It’s running around in my head right now. Then you add that it’s not a guarantee that Pepper will make it? I just need my brain to shut down. And if you’re here, it’s not going to.” She looked down and fiddled with the strap of her purse.
Noah sighed and turned her head so she looked him in the eye. “You know I love you and I’m here for you. You know I’d walk through fire or take a bullet for you. You are my everything. I’m going to give you the space you want tonight. But come tomorrow, I won’t leave when you ask me to. Tomorrow, I’m not letting you go.”
They got out of the car and met at the hood. Noah grabbed her and held on tight. Lexi relaxed for a moment before pulling away. Laying her hand on his cheek, she said, “I love you ,Noah. Thank you for doing this even though you don’t want to. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
*
She unlocked the front door and went straight upstairs. She just wanted to crawl into bed and go to sleep. She got undressed in her closet and was pulling a t-shirt over her head when she heard something behind her. She quickly pulled the shirt on and spun around, gasping as she backed up.
It was like something had punched her in the chest. She couldn’t breathe. It was Anthony, come to finish what he had started. Bile rose in her throat. She knew what was coming and it was going to hurt like hell. She couldn’t focus.
“Hello, Alexia. Long time no see.” He smiled at her.
“I don’t understand.” She shook her head. “You’re in La Jolla. You’re being monitored. You can’t be here.”
“Oh, but I am. And do you want to know why?” He came closer to her to where he was standing inches away from her and slowly leaned down to whisper in her ear. “I’m not Anthony.” He caught her as she fainted.
CHAPTER TWE
NTY-ONE
Lexi came to, started to stretch and stopped. What was she doing sleeping in her living room chair? She slowly opened her eyes to see Anthony in a chair directly across from her, holding a gun. No, not Anthony. Someone else. Someone who looks just like Anthony.
“Oh, good. You’re awake. I worried I would have to slap you until you came to.” His eyes danced with excitement. “If you’ve noticed, I haven’t restrained you this time. I thought we could have a little polite conversation before we get to the fun.” She kept her eyes on the gun. “Yes, well, I really don’t want to use this on you. As you know, I prefer to get my hands dirty.” He chuckled softly.
Lexi’s brain whirled. He looked and sounded so much like Anthony. How was she going to get out of this? What about Noah? Oh, God, did he do something to Pepper? Should she provoke him so that he would get it over, sooner rather than later? Somehow she didn’t think he was going to leave before he knew she was dead and cold. She hoped Noah would give her the space she asked for and not come looking for her.
Please, God, keep him safe.
He slowly crossed one leg over the other and leaned back in the chair, his gun never wavering. “I figure we should get to know each other a little better. Do you know how many self-help books and TV shows there are out there? No? Well, there are thousands.” He waved his hand in the air. “In some shape or form, they tell you that you should talk to someone about your problems. Free yourself. Get it all off of your chest. It seems I got a little carried away the last time, and well, that didn’t end so well for her. I didn’t get to finish my story before she died. Well, my dear, maybe you are the lucky one. You’re the one who’s going to learn all of my secrets.” He uncrossed his legs and leaned forward. “Do you want to know my secrets, Alexia?”