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Gage glances toward the house. “Police are coming. We have to get out of here. We’ll meet at your apartment.”
He ends the call and drives off without his teammates.
“Don’t we need to wait for them?”
He shakes his head. “It’s better if we aren’t caught at the scene of the crime. Besides, they will only be a minute behind us.”
He cuts through several side streets before following close behind a moving truck. Several police cars race past us, heading toward the Rossi mansion.
When the police lights and sirens are no longer in view, Gage changes lanes and races to the apartment building.
He carries the bags upstairs and stops in front of Spencer’s apartment.
“I’d really just like to shower and eat.”
He looks unsure, but finally relents. “Alright, you can head there, and I’ll let Spencer know. I’ll send Savannah down there in a few minutes to check on you.”
I give him a hug, give him a chaste kiss on his cheek, and whisper, “Thanks for saving me.”
Grabbing the duffle bags from him, I spin around and head to my apartment. I close and lock my door behind me and head straight to the bathroom, dropping the bags off in my bedroom on the way. I throw my clothes in the trash can and turn the water as hot as it will go.
Stepping under the spray, I feel empty, almost as if my body is in shock. My stomach growls, propelling me to wash my hair and scrub my body quickly.
What am I going to eat when I am done with my shower?
I don’t feel up to cooking. I could order Chinese takeout or a large pizza with all the toppings. My stomach growls, making me laugh.
“Pizza it is.”
I quickly dry off and throw on some lounge pants and a large t-shirt.
As I am looking up the phone number for the nearest pizza place, a knock sounds on the door.
Looking through the peephole, I see Savannah holding a pizza box.
I open the door and say, “Oh my God, you read my mind. I’m starving.”
She laughs. “Can I come in?”
“Of course. You brought me food.”
I grab some plates and carry them over to the coffee table.
“The guys are de-briefing in my apartment and I couldn’t stand to hear the details of what happened. Plus, I figured you’d be hungry and could use some girl time. Francesca is on her way here with dessert.”
My eyes sting with tears. “You guys are amazing. Do you know that?”
“It’s the least we can do after everything you’ve been through. Now, let’s eat.”
I scarf down the first slice and reach for another when another knock sounds on the door.
“I’ll get it.” Savannah puts her pizza back on her plate and heads to the door. She looks through the peephole and says, “It’s Francesca.”
As soon as the door is opened, Francesca hands Savannah the bag full of dessert and pulls me into a hug.
“I’m so glad you are safe.”
I melt into her hug. It feels like a hug from a sister. One that I’ve never had. The warmth from her hug breaks my resolve. Tears stream down my face as all the worry and fear from the past couple of days come to the forefront of my mind.