Page 27 of Stalked

“What are you confused about? I haven’t been able to find anything on your little friend there. Kyler has filled me in a little bit. When are you going to tell your father?”

I shouldn’t be surprised he opened his big mouth and blabbed off, telling her my business when he had absolutely no right or reason to. I don’t want to share Gabriel. I want to lock him away and keep him away from anyone that will try and hurt him.

“Kyler shouldn’t be opening his big mouth about my business,” I mutter.

“Oh, you’re just mad because I’m clued in on your little secret. Which for your information, I think is totally awesome. I didn’t know you were gay.”

“I’m not gay.”

“Tobias.” Emilia sighs, and because life always wants to fuck me, Kyler comes around the corner frowning.

“Emilia, I don't have time for this. Just look a little harder and get back to me.” I hang up, pocketing my phone.

Kyler walks closer, hands shoved in his pocket, uncomfortable. Which is odd because he’s never uncomfortable. He’s usually the one making others feel that way.

“Just spit it out,” I snap, itching for another cigarette.

“You might not like what I’m about to say. You’re not going to agree with it either. But as your best friend since we were little I’m going to just come out and say it. You’re too distracted and you need to let him go.”

He’s right. I don’t like what he has to say. I hate the words he’s speaking and even more I hate that he is right. I know I shouldn’t have brought Gabriel into this. I know I should let him go. The stalking, the obsession, the kidnapping. I need to let him go.

“Tobias–”

“You’re right,” I mutter.

Kyler jerks back in shock, his eyes glancing around. “Am I being punked?” Of course, the fucker would think I’m playing a joke on him. Iusually don’t ever admit when he’s right, but this is the one time I can’t hold it in. He’s right. Gabriel and I don’t make sense. Who knows if he’ll even be able to handle me being head of the Russian Mafia in America?

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m not sure.”

“You know it’ll be better for both him and you.” Holding a cigarette out towards me, shaking my head I still can’t get the image of those burn scars on Gabriel’s thigh.

“Says who?” I snap, not bothering to let him answer. I turn on my heel and head back inside. Heading straight to my office, I slam the door.

I don’t care to hear what Kyler thinks I should do. He’s never liked a girl long enough to want anything from them but to fuck and dip. I’ve seen how he treats them. He thinks girls are just common whores and once he's done using them, he leaves. Never giving them a chance to even mutter the word bye.

Kyler doesn’t get to tell me I need to make Gabriel leave. Who knows? He might be strong enough to handle my lifestyle. Maybe the only problem will be my father.

Which gives me an instant headache. I never once feared my father. I know he would never physically lay a hand on me. Even if he ever tried, Aunt Salem and Aunt Aziza would make him disappear.

I just need to figure out who is stealing these shipments, end them, and then I can go tell my father I’m gay but only for Gabriel. I don’t understand what it is about him, but being around him calms something inside me. He brings a certain side of myself that I didn’t realize I had and it's nice; it’s different but exciting.

The sound of my phone going off breaks into daydreaming of Gabriel. Glancing down, Aziza's name appears on the screen for twoseconds before disappearing. I sigh a moment of relief, only it dies just as quick when it reappears.

“Da,” I answer.

“Why do you want to know about Gabriel Hollow?”

That shocks me, not only because it means that Emilia or Kyler must have run their mouths off, most likely Emilia when she couldn’t find something again, but also because if Aziza knows, then Uncle Killian knows which means my father knows. It’s only going to be a matter of time before I get a phone call from him.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t play stupid with me. Not only did my daughter ask me for help, my god damn daughter, Tobias. She doesn’t work for you or your damn father. It’s Killian, remember him? He is the one involved in your shit. Not me, and certainly not my daughter!”

“You’re right, I’m sorry.” Swirling around in my office chair, I lay my head back against the headrest. I shouldn’t have involved Emilia in my business. I just didn’t want anyone finding out about him before I was ready.

“I don’t care if you’re sorry or not. Do not involve her again in your shady business, even if she begs you to. Understand me, Tobias?”

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