Page 3 of The Bonventi Secret

"A right?" Gabriel's laugh is harsh, humorless. "Livia, you have no idea what's at stake here. What could be coming."

I wrap my free arm around myself. "What the hell does that mean?"

"It means you need to be on the last flight out of LAX for Chicago. Tonight." The firmness is back in his voice. "I'm sorry, Livia. But this isn't up for debate. Someone will be there in an hour. Be ready."

The line goes dead before I can respond.

I stare at my phone, my mind reeling. What the hell is going on? Gabriel has always been protective, but this is something else entirely.

I look back at Dodd Hall, the muffled sounds of the party drifting through the night air. Through the window, I can see Jake, him looking around the room for me.

My chest aches with frustration and disappointment. This was supposed to be my night. My celebration. My chance to finally act on the attraction that has been simmering between Jake and me for months.

But I know my brother. I know the world he lives in, even if I try to keep myself separate from it. If he says it’s important, it’s important, and if I blow him off, he'd have someone find me and drag me to the damn airport.

With a heavy sigh, I push myself away from the tree and make my way back inside. The warmth and noise hit me like a wave, but instead of bringing happiness, it wraps me in sadness.

As I approach Jake, I see the relief come over his face.

"Hey," he says, reaching out to touch my arm. "Everything okay?"

I force another smile, hating the lie even as it leaves my lips. "Family emergency. I'm so sorry, but I have to go."

Jake's face shows the sadness I’m feeling, but he nods. "Of course. Is there anything I can do?"

If he'd asked me 10 minutes ago, I could have given him a list of things he could do to me, but now, now that feeling is gone, and I know it’s over.

"No," I say, my voice steadier than I feel. "But thank you. Rain check on that celebration?"

Jake smiles, but this time I can tell he is the one forcing it. "Absolutely. Take care of yourself, Livia."

I nod, then turn away before I can change my mind.

As I make my way through the crowd, I catch sight of Megan.

"Livia!" she calls out, waving me over. "What’s going on, girl? You going to finally?—"

"No, unfortunately," I interrupt, my chest tight. "I have to go. Family emergency."

Megan's face sobers immediately. "Oh no! Is everything alright?"

I nod, not trusting myself to speak.

"Call me when you can, okay?" Megan says.

With a final wave, I push through the doors and out into the night.

As I walk back to my apartment, my mind races. What could be so urgent that Gabriel would pull me away like this? And why do I have the sinking feeling that my carefully constructed academic life is about to come crashing down around me?

I look at the clock on my phone and quicken my pace. Whatever is coming, I have less than an hour to prepare for it.

LIVIA - 2

Iburst through my apartment door, heart pounding. My fingers fumble with the light switch, and I squint when the ceiling lights turn on. My suitcase hits the floor with a thud as I yank it from the closet, nearly tripping over a stack of Victorian literature texts full of post-it notes and highlights.

"Shit, shit, shit," I mutter, my hands trembling as I fling open drawers.

As I grab fistfuls of underwear and socks, the scent of lavender fabric softener fills my nose, and I roll my eyes because it's doing anything but "bringing a calming feeling to my day."