My pulse was already racing, but now it's galloping in my throat. Friendly embers glow in the dying fire and the bookshelves loom over me as if they’re gawking at the device too.
A silvery haze spills in through the windows, casting moonlight across the rug, confirming it’s still nightfall.
“Gio?” I call into the silence, hopeful for a response. “Are you here?”
Nothing.
I’m still alone. It’s just me and a military grade phone that wasn’t here when I’d fallen asleep. Tentatively, I reach out for it and stare at the screen.
One unread message sent a few seconds ago.
I hold my breath and glance over my shoulder. Goosebumps scatter my skin. Opening the notification, my heart bursts when the words jump out at me.
Unknown number:Hey, baby… miss me?
Giovanni.
Tears sting my eyes and instead of replying with a text message, impatience gets the better of me. I tap the phone icon, jump to my bare feet and pace.
When it rings off, I growl into Blackwater's hush and glare at the device, inwardly pleading for an incoming call to light it up.
My heart is pounding so goddamn hard, I almost faint from the force of it. Frustrated, I try again, holding the phone to my ear with a shaky hand.
“Please… please… pick up,” I plead, my other hand pressed to my belly as I walk around the room.
When he doesn’t answer, I throw the phone onto the couch and cover my tear-stained face with my hands, sinking down beside it. “Why won’t you answer me!?” I call out, taking in a ragged gulp of air.
Somehow, I’d held it together for days. Focused on Leo’s contentment, never once letting him sense my heartache and loneliness. Until now.
Now, my head is swimming, and my emotions are all over the place. I’m desperate to seek comfort in Giovanni's voice. To let his Spanish accent wash over me and his words soothe my fear.
I wipe my nose with the back of my hand and grab the phone again, ready to send a message.
Suddenly, the black screen illuminates and it rings. An incoming call from an unknown number.
“Hello…” I say breathlessly, my mouth dry.
“Texting is safer,” Giovanni replies, his voice low and husky. My heart rate accelerates “And no names. Got it?”
“Uh-huh.” I swallow a silly sob. “You’re alive.”
“Yeah.Te extraño tanto,baby.” His thick accent rumbles down the phone line as he tells me he misses me.
“I miss you too,” I whisper.
“I’m sorry for not getting in touch sooner. Things are complicated. I need you to listen to me very carefully, okay?”
“Yes…” I swallow the lump in my throat and shuffle back onto the couch. My little heart, so happy to finally hear from him.
“There’s a business thing I need to sort out before I can come home. Okay? You need to stay where you are for a while.”
I nod my response and wipe the corner of my eye. “Can I see you?”
“Not yet. It's too risky at the moment. And don’t tell anyone about the phone. It’s our secret…” His sigh tingles over my scalp. “I need you to understand you’re not alone. And neither is he. I’ll reach out to everyone when I have things figured out.”
“How long will it take for us to see you?” I fix the blanket over my legs and let my head fall back, closing my eyes to visualize his handsome face.
“I don’t know yet,” he says thoughtfully. “A few weeks, maybe.”
