Chapter 36 Suspects
Serena's POV
"Are you tired already?"
That was the message staring right back at me from the lit up screen of my phone in hand. And that wasn't even the worst part.
I blinked once, then again, then again, still staring at my screen like the words might change if I looked down at them hard enough.
My heart skipped a beat when it didn't.
Who was this? Was the first question I could ask myself and quickly followed by a how? Then I tapped the message icon quickly, opening up the full chat.
It was an unknown number. No name, no picture. Just a set of numbers and those words that sounded mocking to my ears.
Before I could type back, another message appeared below the first.
"I know you want out, but are you sure you can afford it?"
I shook my head fiercely. How did he... or she know?
"It can't be," I muttered aloud this time around. Then my fingers hovered over the keys, staying up there without typing before I shakily brought them down to form words with the key.
"Who is this?" I typed for longer than I would normally do as I fumbled with the letters. But sent it not long afterwards.
I held my breath as I waited. I had already begun to map out a few suggestions.
A reply came almost immediately: "A friend."
"A friend?" I typed back just as urgently.
"Yeah, just someone looking out for you."
My mind raced with so many questions at once. Who? Its name?
But I ultimately typed, "What's your name?" Then sent.
And the reply followed afterwards just as rapidly as before.
"That doesn't matter, all you need to know is that I'm always watching you and I can help you escape. But at a price."
Chills ran down my spin.
It's watching me? It knows I want to escape?
I lowered my head and typed immediately. "What price?"
Then waited for a reply. It took longer than the previous reply and after a few minutes, I was sweating on a response.
I stared at the screen, looking forward to any form of movement, but nothing. More minutes ticked by, then more, and dropped the phone on the bed with a frustrated throw.
I ran my hands through my hair roughly. Who the hell was that? And went through a few names.
Valentina? Nah, she's down in the hospital, she wouldn't be able to. And besides, she's bandaged up. But she could still... no.
Nico? I paused on his name, remembering his creepy stares and threats in the car the other day. It could easily be him.
Or Luca? It could be him, or he got someone from his crew to mess with me.
Maybe one of the Romanos?
"Ohh gawd," I gasped loudly and flopped back on the bed, sticking my hands back in my hair again.
Tears of frustration pricked at the back of my eyes as I couldn't pin anyone without proof. I was on edge of going completely paranoid. I felt a pair of eyes on me I couldn't see.
Before things could get any weirder, noises from outside snapped me out of self inflicted turmoil.
Noises of cars pulling up at the front yard and urgent but low voices talking among themselves. I got up quickly and peeked out through the curtains.
Dante was back and he came with Nico and a few other men scattered around. I spotted a new car gleaming under the lights, very identical to one he had crashed in last night.
I watched Dante talk to Nico, a short but very intense conversation that ended with a firm handshake. Then Dante headed inside while Nico lingered a bit, before looking up straight at my window.
I ducked fast, scared to death and hoping he didn't see me. I peeped out slowly, he was still staring, like he knew I was watching. Then turned and left with the other men.
Shit. I felt more convinced now that it had to be Nico. He was watching me, like he had said.
I wondered if I could tell Dante. But would he believe me? Or brush it off saying I'm just being paranoid or blame the blow from earlier.
I decided not to, at least not yet. I would only do that if it escalated. There's already too much heat.
I checked the phone again, but no reply. The time stared back at me, 7:09 p.m.
Damn, the day had been wasted.
The door shifted suddenly, the creak making me jump and hide my phone, turning to the door. Dante stood there, scanning the room like with a tint of excitement behind his eyes. Then he locked them on me.
I shifted my phone behind me quickly and tried to look natural, casually leaning on the bed.
"Everything alright?" He asked.
I stuttered a bit. "Y-yeah, fine. No need to worry."
He stepped in slowly, then sat beside me, close enough for his cologne to invade my space. I stared into his face which up close looked so tired and worn out.
"How was your day?" I asked with a smile, forcing myself steady.
He rubbed the back of his neck. "Long and mainly uneventful asides the whole tracker stuff," he replied.
"A tracker?" I asked. "Like, someone keeping tabs on you?"
"Yup," he replied casually. "The boys found one in the wrecked car. It's probably what led to the crash."
My mind immediately went to the mystery guy, he's probably tracking me.
"Serena?" I heard him call from beside me, snapping me back.
"Oh yeah. Any name around it yet?"
He raised a brow at me but shrugged. "Nah. We are working on it."
His hand then ran over my arm lightly. "Your turn. How you holding up?"
"Fine. My head's better," I replied and tried to force a smile. His fingers lingered on my arm, tracing lines up my arm slowly.
"Good," he droned out, leaning in closer. His breath felt warm against my neck as he spoke. "I missed you."
I resisted though, my mind was too bugged up with the messages and the unknown creep.
"Dante—not now. I'm still sore."
He didn't stop though, his hand slid down to my waist, pulling me closer. "Let me make it better."
I pushed back against his chest gently. "Really, I'm not strong yet."
"Yeah, yeah," He breathed against my skin as his lips brushed my ear. "Eough, come here."
I resisted again, putting a hand on his chest to stop him. "Wait. Tell me more about your day."
He groaned playfully, but kept trying to steal a kiss. Then trailed kisses down my neck, my hand and beneath my shirt.
"That'll be later, Piccola. I need you now."
"Dante, stop." I said, firmer this time.
He pulled back slightly, searching my eyes with his. "What's wrong?"
I pushed away. "Dante, I'm serious. I'm not strong."
He sighed, but went to my collarbone again, planting kisses there. "You'll feel better."
"Dante, no," I said a bit sharper, raising my voice more than I intended.
He stopped and pulled back, narrowing his eyes at me. "What's with you?!"
"Nothing. Just not tonight."
His face hardened all of a sudden and he shot to his feet angrily. "It's either you do what you're here to do, or I'll ensure your mother gets what's left of you tomorrow!”