Page 14 of Savage Vows

“He’s not the kind of guy you just call,” I add. “Not anymore.”

“He used to be.”

“Yeah, well,” I say, rubbing the edge of my thumb with my nail, “I left that world behind a long time ago. And even though he’s my friend, he’s still a part of it, still a problem.”

Bella sighs. “I know. But you trusted him once.”

That part’s true.

Maksim wasn’t just some family friend. He was at every birthday party, every barbecue. He knew where the spare key was to our house. My dad taught him how to fix a tire, same way he taught me.

He and Julianne were always tight, louder, funnier, more confident. I was the third. The one reading in the corner or holding someone’s backpack.

I never told anyone I liked him. I didn’t have to. It was obvious to everyone but him.

For a while, I don’t call. But I can’t drop the idea either.

I wait until the sky starts to dim, until the apartment feels small and I can’t sit still anymore. My phone’s been on the coffee table all afternoon, Maksim’s name staring up at me like a challenge.

Eventually, I tap call.

It rings twice, then nothing. Straight to voicemail.

I don’t leave a message.

I toss the phone onto the couch and walk to the kitchen, make tea just to have something to do. I tell myself I shouldn’t be surprised. He probably saw my name and decided not to get involved. Or maybe he just doesn’t care.

I sit on the edge of the bed, phone in hand, thumb hovering over Julianne’s name. My stomach is tight, fingers cold. I call.

The line rings twice before someone picks up. But it’s not her.

“Adriana,” my father says.

I sit up straighter. “Dad?”

His voice is low, steady. But not normal. There’s something held too tightly beneath it.

“Where is Julianne?” I ask.

There’s a pause. I can hear him breathing, but he doesn’t speak.

“Where is she?”

“She’s gone,” he says.

I freeze. “What do you mean she’s gone?”

Silence.

“Dad!” I yell despite myself. “What do you mean?”

But the line clicks. Dead.

I stare at the phone, disbelief spreading through me like ice. I try calling back, but the phone is switched off.

I call again, this time with shaking fingers, and when it goes straight to voicemail, I try the next number. Maksim.

No answer.