- RAYA -
I can’t do it.
I’m sitting in Dex’s truck after Cricket dropped back off at the building, and it’s seriously huge. The hood extends so far and then just drops off so that I can’t see what’s directly in front of . There could be a child there, and I would have no idea. Not that there currently is—it’s nightti in the city—but... seriously, why do they make vehicles this big?
After turning the truck on and sitting poised behind the wheel with anxiety wracking my body, I decide not to take any chances. It’s not worth it.
Thankfully Rory answers on the second ring when I call her.
"What’s up?"
"Do you think you could give a ride ho? I know it’s short notice..."
"Why? What happened? Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I’m okay. I just... Dex had to go out of town at the last minute, and he left his truck. But seriously, this thing is giant and I haven’t driven at all in ages."
"And you were just in a traumatic accident. God Raya, have you been sitting there trying to get up the nerve this whole ti? It’s after 8!"
"No!"
"Oh my god, yes. I’m coming. I’m on my way."
Rory hangs up before I have a chance to thank her or explain that I went to dinner first and haven’t just been sitting here like a crazy person.
Dex calls almost imdiately afterward. I stare at my phone wondering how I’m going to explain this to him without sounding like an idiot. Maybe I can just pretend I’m at his house and avoid the topic all together, but he should probably know that his truck is going to be parked on a city street all night.
"This is so stupid," I whisper to myself, worrying my bottom lip with my teeth before finally answering.
"Hi," I say much too enthusiastically. It sounds fake even to . I clear my throat. "How are you? How’s your dad?"
"He’s doing fine. It was good to finally see him. Lawson and I are back at the hotel." Hearing Dex’s rich, deep voice imdiately calms my nerves. It’s amazing how he has that affect on . "But how are you?"
"Um," I look around at the street that’s illuminated in a soft blue glow from the city lights. I rember reading that it was a manufacturer error that caused the white lights to appear blue after years of the coating wearing away. I wish they would change all city lights to blue. It’s a much more pleasant color.
"What’s up, angel? You can tell ," Dex says, cutting into the distracting thought. God, I miss him already. Has it really only been twelve hours?
"I can’t drive your truck," I say quickly and then laugh at how ridiculous it sounds. "It’s just way too big. I don’t want to get into an accident."
He chuckles on the other end, and I can imagine him raking a hand over his face like he often does.
"I didn’t think of how that might make you uncomfortable, Raya. I’m sorry."
"No, it’s okay. I called Rory. She’s going to co get . Will your truck be okay here overnight?"
"Yes of course, don’t worry about that. How far does Rory live? How long will it take her to get to you?"
"Maybe a half hour? I’m fine though. Don’t worry about ."
He sighs and curses softly under his breath.
"What if I have soone else take you ho? Luciano is nearby."
"Luciano? Your cousin?" I frown. "No, that’s okay. I’ll just wait for Rory."
A sharp series of taps makes gasp, and I look over at the passenger window to see dark, glittering eyes and a deep scowl peering back at .
"What happened?" Dex asks, and it takes several seconds of gaping at the window to realize that the person on the other side is Dex’s cousin.
"Luciano is here. How..."
"I asked him to look after you while I’m gone," Dex says. "You can trust him."
"You what? Why?"
Luciano is staring down the street, and I can tell from here that he is visibly annoyed.
"I was worried about leaving you after the Kenneth Rider thing. Just do a favor and don’t tell him the guy has already been arrested."
"You didn’t have to have soone watch ," I scoff, unable to hide my irritation. So has Luciano been following since I got out of work? That’s disturbing.
"I don’t want anything to happen to you," Dex says.
"This isn’t... normal." My finger skims the unlock button on the truck, wondering if I should let Luciano in or get out.
"Nothing has been normal since we t," Dex chuckles dryly. "Why don’t you let him take you ho? It will be faster."
"I better call Rory," I sigh. "I’ll talk to you later."
"Let know when you’re ho."
"Okay."
"Okay."
There’s a silence that lingers when neither of us hang up and instead wait for the other person to do it first.
"I love you, Raya," Dex says softly.
I bite my lip, a smile spreading despite how weirded out I am by this Luciano thing.
"I love you too, Dex."
When we finally end the call, I stare at the phone and then at Luciano who now has an expectant expression, brows raised at while he works sothing between his teeth—a sharp toothpick that’s jutting out of his mouth.
I sigh again and grab my bag and laptop, sliding them over to and pushing out of the driver’s side door while I dial Rory again.
"Nevermind Roar, I have a ride after all," I say when she picks up.
"What?! What are you talking about?!" She sounds alard.
"Dex’s cousin is here."
"But I’m already on my way!" Irritation is now edging its way into the alarm.
"Do you want to et at the house instead? Maybe I’ll just stay with you tonight. I’ll need a ride in the morning anyway."
"Fine. Can you really trust this guy?"
"Yeah. I’ll see you in a few."
I hang up and round the back of the truck, stopping to stand in the street right in front of Luciano. He looks different out here than he did when I t him at the house. The darkness of the night seems to cling to him, deepening the shadows of his face.
"Hey beautiful," he says, his annoyance vanishing. "Need a lift?"
"Dex really has you watching ?"
"Yeah, well stalkers are no joke." His eyes flash as he casts them down the street both ways before settling back on . "Co on, I’ll take you ho."
Luciano’s black SUV is parked further down the road. He opens the passenger door, and I slide in to the sll of smoke and leather. He was parked so close watching , and I didn’t even realize it. That knowledge is unsettling. He could have been anybody.
"Thanks," I tell him when he gets in.
"No problem." He flashes a quick smile.
"I think I’ll stay with my sister tonight. There’s no reason for you to have to hang out. I think Dex may be worried for nothing."
Luciano glances at before looking back at the road. "He’s not worried for nothing."
"Still..." I say. "You don’t need to watch . That’s a little overboard."
"I’m happy to do it. Our grandma was murdered by her stalker. I just told Dex about it earlier. He didn’t know."
"Oh." My eyes flare in surprise. I’m not sure what to say in response to that. That’s... terrifying. "I’m sorry. That’s awful."
"It was," he agrees.
We don’t say anything else on the drive out of the city, and finally Dex’s house cos into view. Rory is waiting in the driveway, leaning on her car. I can already tell I’m going to get so kind of lecture by the way her arms are crossed and she pushes herself off of the driver’s door to glare at Luciano’s approaching vehicle. He chuckles next to .
"What?’
"She’s angry. This is your sister?"
"Yeah."
"Are you sure you want to go with her? She looks pissed," he says, chuckling so more.
She didn’t sound that mad on the phone, but he’s right. She looks upset.
"What’s wrong?" I ask Rory when I climb out of Luciano’s SUV.
"Why didn’t you call earlier? I could have been there hours ago. And who is this guy?"
She points accusingly at Luciano who apparently decided to get out. We didn’t really talk about whether he was going to continue watching while Dex is gone or not. I kind of hope he forgets about it, but sothing tells that’s not going to happen—especially if their grandmother was killed by her stalker.
"This is Dex’s cousin Luciano. Luciano, my sister Lorelei."
Rory remains staring at him suspiciously with her arms crossed.
"It’s a pleasure to et you," Luciano says, holding his hand out with a wide grin. The charming side of him has activated, but it doesn’t seem to be having any effect on my sister who doesn’t bother shaking his hand.
"You just happened to be in the business district at this ti of night? That’s convenient."
"Oh my god, Rory!"
"What?" She snaps, glaring at . "How well do you know him?"
"He brought ho, didn’t he? And he’s Dex’s cousin."
"So he says," Rory scoffs, keeping her suspicious glare glued to Luciano.
"I t him Sunday! Do you honestly think I would just get in soone’s car who claims to be related to Dex?"
I groan and walk past them to go into the house without waiting for my sister’s answer. Rory may be super concerned for my wellbeing after the accident, but I don’t need to be spoken to like a five year old.
"I’m going to grab so things," I call back. "You’re both welco to co in."
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