Page 18 of The Maverick (WaterFyre Rising #7)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

VANESSA

Attikus pulled into the parking spot in front of my apartment. “You should pack some of your belongings. I’ll pick you up on Friday.”

I gawked at him. “That’s so soon.”

“Does your ex know where you live and work?”

“Yes.” I couldn’t afford to move and hide. It was hard to find an apartment with a studio space in the same building.

“You shouldn’t be here while he’s blackmailing you.” His nostrils flared. “Desperate people do desperate things. I’m not going to gamble with your safety.”

A fresh wave of emotions overcame me. I was trying my best not to show how unsettled I was after seeing Emmanuel’s threatening text. But Attikus’s concern subdued the nerves. No man had ever displayed genuine concern for me.

We weren’t married yet, so he didn’t need to take on the protective husband role. His quick reaction proved he wasn’t doing this because it was part of a contract. Not that this detail was on it, but it showed a different side of him.

Emmanuel had grown desperate. What if he came to my studio one day when no one was around? Though he’d need a key to enter, that didn’t mean he couldn’t sneak in with a group of people pretending he lived there.

I was used to taking care of myself and doing things on my own. I didn’t know how to react to Attikus handling this situation. He was shouldering some of the weight for me. For the first time, someone had my back.

Sighing, I said, “I’ll be ready on Friday.”

“Are you okay?” He studied me, probably wondering what had transpired in my head, from being angry at his demand to now surrendering to him.

“Yes.” I looked at him, wanting to explain more, but I couldn’t. Not right now.

“Okay. If you need anything, call or text me.”

He stayed in the car, watching me enter the building safely before taking off.

I wasn’t in the mood to finish my painting, so I took the stairs up to my apartment and packed. How many clothes should I bring? One piece of luggage should be fine for now. I could always come back here if I needed more things.

As I shoved toiletries into my makeup bag, my phone buzzed.

Attikus: I have a studio space you can work in. Bring your art supplies.

He didn’t mention this earlier.

Vanessa: Art can get messy. Don’t want to ruin your house.

Attikus: It’s not being used.

I chewed on my bottom lip. Having a studio space at my temporary residence would be helpful.

Vanessa: Are you sure?

Attikus: I wouldn’t offer if I weren’t.

Vanessa: Bring a truck because I have large canvases.

Attikus: Got it.

A small smile slid onto my lips as I stared at my phone. We already sounded like a couple. It baffled me how we had eased into this “relationship” so naturally.

I placed a few pairs of shoes into a duffle bag and realized I didn’t need to bring so many. I wasn’t going anywhere fancy, so one casual pair of shoes and sneakers would suffice. My phone buzzed again, and my heart leaped, thinking it was Attikus. But it was the girls.

Elena: What happened?

I knew they would eventually find out about Attikus and me. I might as well inform them now. But what could I tell them?

I walked over to the couch, dropped onto the cushion, and stared at the messages.

Vivian: What’s going on?

Audri: We just saw the post!

Michelle: Is it true?

Natalie: Why didn’t you tell us?

Kiera: Give us the deets!

Chatting with them would give my mind a rest.

Nessa: It’s complicated.

Kiera: Don’t give us that and expect us to stop. (eye roll emoji)

Vivian: Tell us! I’m dying to know.

Elena: Are you attracted to him?

I smiled at Elena’s message. She was trying to help me out.

Nessa : I am. But he doesn’t know that.

Audri: So how did he become your fiancé?

Natalie: Is there a hidden agenda here?

Michelle: Do you need our help with anything?

Elena: The more heads, the better we can think.

Audri: Girls! We need a girls’ evening out!

Kiera: Time for SSG!

Nessa: What’s that?

Kiera: It’s when we help you get your happily ever after.

Nessa: Really?

Vivian: Don’t doubt us, babe.

Audri: You’re in trouble now.

Elena: Come over on Sunday. The boys are meeting up. We can have our gathering.

Natalie: Be prepared to answer questions.

Michelle: I’ll bring appetizers.

Natalie: Got some sexy lingerie for you ladies.

Audri: Make Nessa a lingerie package because of her fiancée status.

Natalie: Glad to. (heart emoji)

Nessa: See you soon.

Audri : You make a great couple, just saying.

Kiera: See ya. Gotta go now!

Oh my gosh . This was getting so complicated. I didn’t want to lie to them. These were my friends. Was there a halfway point? Could I tell them part of the truth and leave the other part out? Would that be lying? I didn’t want to involve more people than I had to.

I could tell them about my attraction and how it was getting stronger every time I was with him. And that this fiancée thing was . . .What?

Shit. Why couldn’t my life be simple?

I turned to my rack of plants in simple pottery. Looking at them placed me at ease. Nature had a way of soothing you with its uncomplicated presence.

I prayed I’d come up with a brilliant idea before Sunday.

After I packed, I sat down to check out Emmanuel’s social media.

Did something happen to him recently to make himerratic and violent?

He wasn’t like this when I dated him. But then again, maybe this was his true character.

His roving eye was why I had to end things.

No woman would settle for that. Did Emmanuel take drugs?

I browsed his DailyThoughts feed and saw selfies of him with various girls at wild parties.

He looked drunk or on something. The women did too.

I scrolled past several pictures of him with a woman with massive red hair.

She was all over him. Maybe she was his new girlfriend.

I recognized his friend, Nico Messina,whom I met once.

I scrolled to the pictures of him before we met.

He posted photos of him hiking and swimming with a different group of friends.

I found an old image of him with his sister, Thea.

I’d never met her, but he’d mentioned her to me.

Why did he stop posting pictures of him and his sister? It was like he had two different lives.

What happened to him?

I didn’t know why, but I searched for Thea Valencia. Maybe she could stop him from blackmailing me. Then I wouldn’t need to go through with this marriage. This option hadn’t occurred to me until now. It would save Attikus and me time and energy.

My heart leaped when I saw Thea on the JobNetwork.

She was a manager for Elegant Cosmetics in downtown Providence.

I’d been there a few times for makeup products.

Excitement and confusion rushed through me.

If his sister was in town, why hadn’t he posted any current pictures of him with her? What happened to their relationship?

I knew I shouldn’t go out right now. Attikus’s words rang in my ear, but something nudged me to go. He was being overprotective, which I appreciated and loved. But right now, I had to trust my intuition.

Before more doubts could enter my brain, I grabbed my purse, put on a casual jacket, and slipped on my sneakers. I could pick up some new makeup while I was there. This was my self-care trip to the beauty store.