“Not a chance.”
42
Amelia
I tryto regulate my breathing as I stand shakily while wiggling my wrists. Julian has tied them behind my back with zip ties, and they are already digging into my skin.
I quickly try to take in my surroundings, but there’s no use since Julian hasn’t turned on any lights. I know we’re in a basement, because we used the sidewalk cellar doors to get in here, and all of New York City sounds muffled above me.
Julian flips on a light switch, causing three bare light bulbs hanging from the ceiling to flicker on. Still not much light, but at least I can make out a large desk in the center of the room, two walls lined with tools and other business supplies, and a small table with two chairs next to me. Julian opens a drawer from the large desk and takes out a small knife.
“Amelia, Amelia, Amelia. Alone at last,” Julian says as he slowly makes his way towards me. “Do you even know where I’ve brought you, mi amor?” he asks with hopeful eyes.
“The Four Seasons?” I croak.
Julian’s chest swells, followed by a deep laugh. “Ah, I’ve missed that sense of humor of yours. One of the many reasons why I knew I had to do everything in my power to get you back in my life,” he says as he skims my arm with the knife with featherlike strokes. I stiffen at the feel of the cold metal. “Don’t worry, I’m not gonna hurt you. Unless you give me a reason to. Plus, this is just my grandfather’s lucky dagger. I’m not much of a gun guy. It’s so impersonal if you ask me. And unnecessarily loud.” He grimaces.
“Where are we, Julian?” I ask, hoping to refocus him.
“Oh, right. Well, you probably can’t tell since we’re in the basement, but we’re back where it all started, the laundromat where we had our first kiss.” He grins. “You see, for years I’ve bought and owned laundromats. It’s a good cash business for my type of entrepreneurship. And once I saw thatourlaundromat was put on the market, I just knew I had to have it. I bought it for you, cariño.” He places the knife under my chin and lifts until my eyes meet his. “You see, I’ve been doing a lot of things for us lately, for our future. Because I believe that fate has brought us together. Actually, I think our mothers had a hand in our rekindling.”
The mention of my mother almost makes me head butt him, but I essentially have a knife to my throat, so that wouldn’t be ideal.
“What do you mean by that?” I ask instead.
He smiles. “This summer, before my mother passed away, she told me she heard some neighborhood gossip about your fiancé cheating on you, therefore breaking up your engagement. I hadn’t seen my mother light up while telling mechismelike that in years, since the cancer had made her so weak. She was always fond of you and your family, and once she found out that you were single, she told me in a not so subtle way, that I should settle down with a woman like you. Even better if I managed to actually woo you myself. Then I let her in on our little secret. The fact that I was the one to give you your first kiss. I told her how I found you sitting by yourself at this very laundromat as all of the older kids played out on the street without you. You seemed so sad, so I made it my mission to make you smile and forget about those losers you and your brother always hang out with. And how when you mentioned that you’d never been kissed, I didn’t even hesitate before I laid one right on ya.” He smiles fondly at the memory that now feels like a poison in my mind. “So when I found out that your mother had also passed away from cancer, I thought I would reconnect with you. But being a romantic at heart, I knew I needed to know more about you before I walked back into your life. I got locked up a few months ago on a silly technicality, and you’re all I could think about when I was in prison. My lawyer eventually got the charges thrown out and my plan was back in action. Before I could start romancing you, I had to get to know you better. So naturally, I had you followed.” He grabs me by my shoulder and slowly turns me to face the wall behind me, and I almost fall back into him when I realize what I’m looking at.
Hundreds of pictures of me. Grabbing coffee, walking to brunch with Nikki, leaving work late at night. It’s all there. My every move in pictures for the last six months.
“Amelia, I now know your coffee order, how often you visit your dad, how late you work at the office. All the things you can’t learn from a silly first date.”
“So you’ve been following me sincebeforethe cabin?” I ask dumbfounded.
I hear him sigh behind me, then he points to a picture on the wall. It’s a photo of Evan and I on the night when he showed up to the club to take me home. We are fighting in the picture; this was probably moments before I threw up on the sidewalk. “You can imagine my surprise when this weasel showed up on my surveillance. I thought that I had nothing to worry about, since you clearly had no issue telling him off, but then you went to the cabin with him. Alone.” He tsks three times. “That’s where fate steps in. A storm named Anna released her wrath. I took it as a sign that your mother was unhappy with you being holed up alone with Evan all weekend. So I made it my mission to speed up my timeline, and re-enter your life. I had already sent you flowers to your father’s house the day after I saw you with Evan. And I had planned on revealing myself sooner to you, but Evan insisted on taking up all of your time. I had a weak moment on your birthday. I needed to see you in person. More importantly I needed you to see me. The way you looked at me told me everything I needed to know. There was a chance for us, and I just needed to stay the course. I gave Evan the ultimatum to leave you alone, or risk your safety. So imagine my surprise when I pick up the newspaper this morning.”
He turns me around, then walks back to the desk. He picks up the newspaper and holds out the front page so I can see the picture and read the headline.
New York’s most eligible bachelor is now a taken man. Evan Cooper locks lips with mystery beauty at his company’s holiday party, sending all single ladies in New York into a weeping tailspin.
The headline is accompanied by a full page photo of Evan and I kissing, wrapped in each other’s arms like a scene out of a movie.
Julian then throws the newspaper on the ground. “It’s not fair Amelia. After all I’ve done, he got to kiss you. But he’s not your first, I am.” His voice becomes harsh and demanding. He places the knife on my chest and starts to draw small circles with it. “Tell me Amelia. Was he a better kisser than me?” He leans in closer, inches from my lips.
I freeze. My body is more repulsed by the idea of kissing him, than the cold knife pressed to my chest. I need to stay alive, but I don’t know how much longer I can keep my hot head in line. Before I answer, I hear someone whistle. Julian and I whip our heads in the direction of the doorway and that’s when I see him.
LC.
Luke is here.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt. But the laundromat’s front door was open, and I let myself in. I have quite a bit of laundry to do, but the coin machine is locked. Any chance I could get change?” Luke smiles at Julian.
If Luke is here, that means help is on the way. This nightmare is almost over!
Julian hides the knife behind his back and forces a smile towards Luke. “Sure thing. Just a second.” While Julian walks towards the large desk, Luke sends a quick wink my way. Relief starts to wash over me. And just as I start to visualize my rescue, all hope is diminished with a loud bang.
I fell to the floor, startled by the noise. When I look up, I see Julian holding a gun, and Luke laying on the floor on his side.
Nooooo!
