Page 95 of Love is Angry

Cameron chuckles. “These two won’t let you breathe until you and Rhue are married. I’m pretty sure Lindsey is already putting together a list of possible baby names.”

“You’re damn right I am!” Lindsey shoots back.

I almost choke on my wine. Laughter bursts from our table, loud and bright enough to get other patrons turning in their seats. Oh, this is so much fun. Stupid, awkward, delicious fun.

My phone rings and Rita blows raspberries at me. “Hey, no cellphones!” she scowls.

We did agree on a no-cellphone rule, but the Rochester area code is exactly what I’ve been waiting for. If Noelle’s contact can really help me get rid of the monstrous shadows and the feeling of being watched no matter where I go, I really need to talk to them. I can’t function like this for much longer. But what if it isn’t them? What if it’s Julian, calling to threaten me again? What if he found out about my lunch with Noelle, and what I told her?

The last time I ignored Julian, he kicked my father out of his store. If this is Julian, maybe I should just answer and see what he wants. Even the thought feels like a terrible idea, but words are just words, aren’t they? I’ve got my armor on and my walls up. No matter what Julian says, it won’t hurt. Not as bad as all the things he’s physically done to me. Plus, I need to know where’s he’s at in this game he’s playing. And if I record the conversation, maybe Rhue can use some of his father’s words against him in whatever he’s plotting.

“I’m sorry, I have to take this.” Excusing myself, I leave the table while fumbling with the fast menu to start the recorder on my phone. Finally, it’s on, and I swipe to answer the incoming call, then put it straight to speaker. I step outside the restaurant. “Hello?”

A cold blast hits me without mercy. The temperatures are rapidly dropping in the evening, and that’s no surprise, but still, I should’ve grabbed my scarf, at least. This cocktail dress is barely a layer of shimmering champagne satin.

“Hello?” I ask again when no voice comes through.

“I had to call, otherwise you would’ve never come out,” a man’s voice startles me. I spin on my heels to see him standing mere feet away.

He’s young, in his early twenties. Well dressed. A black suit, grey shirt, cream tie. An odd combination, but it suits his dark blond crewcut. Cold blue eyes stare me down and an air of hostility settles between us. Even though I don’t know him, he clearly knows me, and that makes me uneasy.

Glancing over my shoulder, I see my friends at our table, eating and talking and laughing. Rita glances at me occasionally, and I find an odd sense of comfort in knowing that they’re in there. I look at the man. “I don’t think we’ve met.”

“We’re meeting now,” he says and reaches out for a handshake. “I’m Jake.”

I don’t engage, choosing to take a step back, instead. “How’d you get my number?” I ask.

“I’m resourceful,” he replies. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t be worth my fees.” He laughs lightly, like it’s a great joke, but I can still sense the tension. This man came here with a mission, and I worry it won’t end well. “Madison, I do apologize for tearing you away from your dinner. The Coq au Vin here is superb. I hope you ordered the Feuillette Chardonnay to go with it.” He pauses to glance through the restaurant window. Rita sees him, and he waves at her with a friendly smile. “Ah, yes, you got the Feuillette, excellent choice.” Rita gives him a reserved smile, and he turns his focus back on me. “As I was saying, sorry for interrupting your dinner. I promise I’ll be brief.”

“Who are you?”

“Jake. I just told you.” He looks at me like I’m an idiot. Very passive aggressive, but even I can sense the dangerous vibe exuding from him. Beneath this finely groomed exterior dwells a beast. “Madison, I’m only here to deliver a message, and I hopeyou’ll take it under advisement. Otherwise, I’ll be forced to come back, and I don’t like that.”

Before I even realize what’s happening, he snatches my phone and quickly deletes the recording—which was still running after he hung up. I want to stop him, but a strange and muted dread holds me back, as if my instincts know better.

“Here. Much better. We can’t have you recording people without their consent,” Jake says and gives me my phone back. Briefly checking it, I notice he uninstalled the recording app, too.

“I’ll call the police,” I manage, but even I don’t believe myself.

He chuckles softly. “That’s cute. And tell them what? Don’t be ridiculous, Madison. I’m here because I’m looking out for you. Believe me.”

“What the fuck do you want?” I’m starting to shake. Nothing about this feels right.

“Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?” He pauses, eyes widened. “Oh, wait, your mother walked out on you and your father a long time ago. Anyway, back to the message. I need you to listen to me, Madison. I need your full attention. Do I have that?”

No isn’t an option.

Everything about this guy demands my full attention, much like a wolf requires a deer’s full attention. This man, despite being young –– and apparently well behaved –– is a predator, and he has set his sights on me. I hate this feeling. It reminds me of Julian. The simmering anxiety, the stench of danger, the possibility that I might lose something of myself again. I can’t go through that once more.

No.

I will kick and I will fight and I will scream this time.

No matter what happens, they will hear me. They will all hear me!

“I’m listening,” I finally say.

“Stay away from Rhue, Madison. You may both be majoring in the same discipline, but that doesn’t mean you need to interact beyond the academic necessities,” Jake says, remarkably calm. “No more coffee dates, no more lunch dates, no more weekends away or back home. No more cuddling in your bedroom, either. If you think your dad’s safe under Rhue’s wing, you should think again.”

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