Page 55 of Durango

I stare at my phone. I want to talk to him, but I can’t. That’s something I’ll have to get used to.

My mind goes back to Tyler. If we can find a woman to come forward, will that really take Tyler down? He comes from so much money. What if he finds a way to buy himself out of trouble?

My phone vibrates, and I grab it, hoping Durango found a way to message me. It’s a text from an unknown number, and I race to check it.

The moment I see the message, my stomach drops.

Unknown Number:After you left, I installed security cameras. I wondered why you came back. Willow, you shouldn’t have fucked with me.

I drop my phone on the couch and run to Samantha’s room, opening the door without thinking. Fortunately, she’s watching some comedian on her laptop.

“He texted me,” I say.

“Who?”

“Tyler. This phone, it’s a new number. How?”

She jumps up. “Where’s your phone?”

I point to the couch, and she grabs it. It’s still unlocked, and the message is open.

“He’s typing more.” She points to the bubbles on the bottom of the screen.

Unknown Number:Living in Queens now? Interesting choice. Think I’ll stop in and say hi.

Someone knocks on the door, and we both jump.

“No way it’s him,” she whispers as she glances at the door. “Is it?”

The person knocks again, and Samantha goes to the door and peaks through the peephole. She doesn’t move, so I walk up beside her. She steps back and reaches for the doorknob.

“No!” I whisper yell.

“It’s not him. It’s our neighbor. He’s leaving.”

“Not another misdelivered package,” I say.

Samantha opens the door and grabs something. She brings it inside as she reads the note out loud. “It happened again.”

She sighs. “Yep.” She walks to the kitchen and sets the box on the table.

As she starts to open it, I move to the other side of the room. “What are you doing? It could be a bomb!” I yell.

She points to the label. “It’s some makeup I ordered.”

I step closer and see that it is from her usual store.

“You think Tyler will send a bomb?”

I rub my arms as a chill runs through me. “You saw his texts. He threatened me. Who the hell knows what he’ll do?”

“It’s a secure building. He won’t be able to get up here even if he does show up,” Samantha says.

I point at the package. “The delivery guys can get up here. You don’t think he can’t talk his way up?”

She stares at the box. “You’re right. And this guy seems unhinged enough that we should probably go somewhere else for a little bit. I’ll get us a hotel room.”

“No.” I really don’t want her to keep paying for things. It’s great she can afford to, but I don’t want to keep taking her up on it. “Let me check something. I might have a place we can stay.”

---