Page 1 of Belonging to Them

ONE

Ella

Hands shaking, I read the note again.

You owe us.Don’t try to get out of it.

Tell someone, and your brother dies.

The cleaning supplies closet feels too small all of a sudden, like I can’t get enough air.This…this can’t be real, can it?Is Tommy really in trouble?

I think back to the last conversation we had.He was going away, but he wouldn’t say where.He hadn’t sounded like he was in distress; he’d only sounded angry.

Angry at me.

I thought I was enforcing boundaries, but maybe I was being a shitty sister.

Pulling my phone from my pocket, I try calling him.It goes straight to voicemail.

“Hey, it’s me,” I say.“I got this note…can you call me back, please?I’m freaking out.”

I end the call and text him next.Call me.It’s important.Then I stare at the screen for a long moment, waiting.Nothing happens, except the sound of footsteps behind me.

“Ms.Marchand?”Terrence says.“Is everything okay?”

Tell someone, and your brother dies.

I fold the note quickly and tuck it into my pocket.I don’t turn around to look at Terrence, afraid that he’ll see the terror on my face.Instead, I busy myself with straightening the supplies on my cart.“Yes, everything’s fine.”

Thankfully, he doesn’t question me further.

I clean the halls of Dorado Terrace in a daze.Several times, I have to go over certain areas a second time with the vacuum or dust rag because I missed entire sections.Squid, my other guard, gives me the occasional curious look.Terrence doesn’t seem bothered by my absentmindedness at all.He really does carry a sadness about him.

If I weren’t so worried about my brother, maybe I would be able to worry about my bodyguard.As it is, all I can do is worry about Tommy.Who would’ve sent this message?

The people who attacked me and Natasha in that alley, most likely.Tommy probably owes them money, because he is, in a word, sick.He has an addiction.

The framed abstract art in front of my face blurs as my eyes fill with tears.Tommy has a gambling addiction, and he’s gotten himself in more trouble than ever.I don’t know if I’m going to be able to save him from this.

And I can’t tell anyone about it?

I try calling Tommy again.It goes straight to voicemail.I don’t leave a message this time.I don’t even know what to say anymore.

I keep the note in my pocket and finish up the day’s work.Terrence and Squid drive me back to Sebastian’s place, where he and King and I are supposed to spend the night.When I get there, neither of the guys is home yet, so I play in the studio for a few hours, trying to lose myself in music.

Your hand

Cups my cheek

Softly, softly

My secrets

Scratch beneath the skin

Breaking the trust

Shredding the peace