Concern rose in my chest. “Are you still feeling down?” I asked.
“A little, but I think I’m just tired. I’ll be fine in the morning.”
“Do you want me to come over for an hour?” I asked.
“Oh, don’t worry, honestly. I’ll grab a glass of water and turn off the lights.”
I was disappointed at her answer, obviously, but accepted that she needed to get a good night’s sleep and if we were together, that might not happen.
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”
We said goodnight and I disconnected the call as the taxi pulled up outside my apartment block. I waved to security as I crossed the foyer and took the lift to my floor.
As I undressed, I thought back on Gabriella’s couple of days with me. It had felt so right to have her in my apartment although I didn’t feel she was anapartmenttype of person. Perhaps I should look for a house. I chuckled at the thought. We hadn’t hadthatchat yet; in all honesty, I had no idea what kind of a relationship we had and I was thinking about moving so she could live with me.
I slept through night, despite worrying when she didn’t respond to a goodnight text. I dreamt of us living together, and then her leaving me because she wanted to go home.
* * *
Mackenzie, Gabriella, and I were sitting in his office. She had just arrived with take-out coffees even though Mary berated her for not asking her to go.
“What did the police actually say?” I asked.
While she removed the lid of her coffee and gently blew, she repeated what she’d told me about them having nothing to identify the attacker. Mackenzie looked at me and I frowned. The guy had his hood up but really? Absolutely nothing at all? I was leery of that.
“They asked what my relationship was to you,” she said, looking at Mackenzie. “I told them we were friends and that we worked together. They then asked me about my relationship with Lord Duchoveny,” she looked at me.
“What did you tell them?” I asked, and in my mind, I’d gone from what the police wanted to know, to whatIwanted to know.
“I told them we’re partners.” She seemed surprised that I would ask. I smiled at her and gently nodded. She scowled. “I'm assuming that we are or should I have said we’re just fuck buddies?” she said, abruptly.
I spat out the coffee that was in my mouth, just as Mary walked into the room. She tutted and walked back out, I looked around for something to dab at my shirt.
“Of course we are, partners I mean,” I replied, stuttering.
Mary walked back in with a damp cloth, she first wiped the desk of the spilled coffee and then slammed the cloth into my chest for me to clean my shirt.
“Don’t you be mean to her. She’s had an ordeal,” Mary said then left. I sat open- mouthed while Gabriella smirked at me.
“Can we keep the domestic for later? What else was said?” Mackenzie asked, chuckling.
Gabriella stuck her nose in the air and turned to Mackenzie. “Obviously, I asked them why that was relevant. They didn’t answer. I get the impression they don’t think it was just a bag snatch.”
“Why would they think that?” Mackenzie asked.
“Well, my attacker said something else… he threatened to rape me—”
Mackenzie slammed his palms on the desk. “He did what?” He growled out the words.
“It was just a threat to make me let go of the bag. I guess he didn’t realise it was caught on my coat buttons,” she replied.
“And they haven’t got a clue who this is?” I asked, she gently shook her head. I sighed deeply. “You’re staying with me for a while,” I added.
“I’m fine, Alex. Honestly, my house is perfectly secure.”
I looked to Mackenzie for help.
“I think you should stay with Alex. Just until we know more,” Mackenzie said. I thanked him with a small smile.
