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“I did that to keep you safe.”

I furrow my brow. “Safe? Safe from what?”

“From me, Gabriella, and trust me, the less you know, the better.”

“Oh, so I’m supposed to tell you things, but you can keep secrets? Is that how this works, Marco?”

He sneers at the use of his real name and I regret it the moment it leaves my mouth. ‘I’m sorry, I—”

“I think you need to leave. Shut the door on your way out.”

The cab ride back felt long and lonely. I replayed my conversation over and over with Brad and decide I need to sort my life out. I’ll call Patrick later and ask him to meet for dinner, find an agreement that works for us both and pray I can appeal to his kind side that has to be buried deep inside him. I reach our floor and the faint sounds of an argument can be heard in the hallway.

Convinced it’s one of our neighbors, I turn my key in the lock, but the yelling gets louder as I step inside. I make my way to Ali’s room, where I can hear the voices.

“Al, you in here—” I enter her room and stop, my eyes widen as I look between Ali and a half-dressed Harry.

“What’s going on, are you two…”

Ali closes her eyes, and Harry hangs his head and stares at the floor, looking utterly defeated. Something is wrong. I can feel it in my bones.

“Can someone explain, please?” I plead.

Harry hands me a folded piece of paper. “Don’t leave her on her own,” he says firmly before he grabs his clothes and heads for the door. Before he disappears from view, he says, “I mean it. I’m not giving up on you.”

His footsteps fade away, and the door slams.

A sickening silence falls between me and Ali as my shaky hands unfold the paper and I read the opening lines.

Dear Miss Hart…

My blood runs cold, and my hand flies up to cover my mouth. Ali chokes on a sob.

“Ali, I…” I gasp, looking up from the paper and watch my beautiful, strong friend, who has been through so much in her twenty-nine years, crumble in front of me. Guilt and disgust at myself hits me like a slap to the face. How did I not see? How could I be so blind to her pain? I knew something was wrong, and I ignored it. I should have been here. Instead, I was selfish and went to Brad, instead of being where I should have been.

“They want to let him out Gabs, they are going to let him out,” She sobs, her legs giving way and I reach her just before she hits the ground, the letter falling from my fingers as I hold my broken friend up.

“I’ve got you, it’s okay, I’ve got you,” I repeat, holding her and pulling her in towards my chest as we sit in the middle of her room.

I reach for Ali’s phone that lies on the floor and dial, bringing the phone to my ear, relief flooding me when she answers.

“Hey, Ri, it’s me. Ali needs us.”

Chapter Forty-Two

Brad

I sit at my desk in my office, sipping on my coffee, and going through our accounts. The past month was our biggest loss. Someone is stealing money, and I need to find out who. I’ve been in a shitty mood since Gabriella left. I don’t know where we go from here. I was kind of an ass to her. But last night, it was everything. Sex has never felt like that with anyone but her. But it’s not just about the sex. I just want to be around her.

My phone buzzes on the table and Harry’s name flashes on the screen.

Harry

Where are you?

I text back.

Brad