Page 25 of Fated Love with You

“Nothing.” I shake my head. “Come on, follow me.”

“You didn’t agree to work for this man, did you?”

“No, Kylie.”

“Are you sleeping with him?”

I say nothing.

“I see.” She shakes her head. “He’s probably stalking and following your every move already then…”

“Can you please just?—”

“Stop warning about a dangerous ass crime boss who will probably kill you once you’ve served your purpose?”

“He’s not following me, Kylie.”

Or is he?

A chill rolls down my spine, though the night air is still. I glance toward the corner of the lot, suddenly hyper-aware of the shadows swallowing its edges.

A faint click echoes from behind a nearby pillar—too sharp for rain, too intentional for wind.

“Okay.” She picks up the gun again. “So, if I shouted, ‘I’m about to kill you, Autumn!’ nothing would happen?”

I raise an eyebrow, tempted to call 9-1-1 and get her head checked for damages.

The only sound between us is wind and faint raindrops tapping on our cars.

“Anyway…” I reach for the gun, but she doesn’t give it to me. Instead, she steps back and shouts her weird phrase again.

She shouts again—louder this time.

Silence.

Then, the unmistakable crunch of gravel underfoot.

Before I can tell her she’s lost it, a figure detaches from the shadows—tall, expressionless, his grey suit clinging like second skin. His eyes flick to Kylie, then to me, calculating.

Another man moves behind her in perfect sync, like they’ve been stationed here all along.

“Is there a problem here, Miss Jane?” he asks. “Do you need any assistance?”

Kylie drops the gun to the ground.

Ryder’s associate immediately picks it up, and he remains close by, watching and waiting.

My pulse thunders. How long have they been here? Watching? Waiting for a signal?

“If you do manage to remain alive…” Kylie’s voice cracks as she unlocks her car door. “Feel free to write to me from your prison cell.”

“Kylie, wait.”

“Word of advice from a former friend… Don’t ask for help when you don’t really want it.” She slides behind the wheel without another word, and then speeds away.

End of Episode 8

Don’t Get Comfortable