Lib Novel Page 131
I look at Alex, alarmed, and he whispers, “They must have arrived—”
“No, these guys were here when I left. My place was being watched.”
Alex’s expression turns even darker, if that is possible.
We can’t use either the front or the back entrance, so we have to go in the same way I left. If I thought the window in the neighboring building was a tight squeeze for me, it’s going to be an even tighter one for Alex’s broad shoulders. But for some reason, he’s intent on coming with me.
“You should just go!” I hiss at him.
“Fat fucking chance,” he growls. “If they plan to attack you in your home, I’m not letting that happen.”
“And what if you end up revealing your presence?” I demand, frustrated by his stubbornness. “You need to get out of here!”
However, Alex refuses to listen to me and forces his body through the tiny window. We don’t have time to argue, so I have no choice but to let him come with me. On the way up the steps of my building, I sniff my clothes. I can still smell traces of Rita’s blood. If the pack security team decides to stop by right now, and they smell it, I’ll be in a lot of trouble. After rushing up the steps, I quickly lock the door behind me and Alex, then run to the bathroom, stripping off my clothes on the way.
Alex doesn’t question my behavior. I step into the shower and wash off all traces of my presence in the cottage. I didn’t remember to bring a change of clothes into the bathroom with me, but when I finish drying off a few minutes later, I notice a set of pajamas waiting for me by the sink. I glance at the door. Alex must’ve looked for something for me to wear.
Feeling oddly touched, I put on the clothes, and when I open the door, I can hear the sounds of a game show playing on the television. I can also smell roasted chicken.
“What are you doing?” I walk into the living room, wrapping my hair in a towel.
Alex is standing next to the window, peering outside.
“You have three people stationed in front of your building. Do you have any idea why?”
“Your guess is as good as mine.” I sit down heavily on the couch. The chicken smells amazing, but I have no appetite. “I can’t seem to understand a lot of the things that have been happening recently.”
“When Rita called you, did you leave immediately?”
Alex’s question elicits a curious look from me. “Yeah. I had to put the chicken back in the fridge, but then I left.”
“And these people outside, were they there?”
I nod, wondering what he’s getting at.
“They may not be here because of the attack, then,” Alex murmurs, deep in thought. “There could be another reason you’re being watched. But—” His voice cuts off, and he jerks away from the window. “They’re moving.” Grabbing the television remote, he cranks up the volume. He takes the roasted chicken, breaks off chunks of it, and puts some of it on an empty plate, which he picks up from the coffee table and shoves at me. “Get your hands all messy with this. Now.”
“What?” I give him a bewildered look.
“Just trust me,” he says urgently.
I am about to do what he said, already understanding where he’s coming from, but then I stop, a thought striking me.
“Wait.” I run to the bedroom and look through my dressing table for the face masks that I bought once and never bothered to use. I quickly put one on, then hurry back to the couch.
Alex gives me a wide-eyed look. “What is that? Why do you have paper on your face?”
I give him a sly smile. “It’s your turn to trust me. Hand over the chicken.”
Using my right hand, I handle the chicken roughly until my fingers looks stained, as if I’ve been eating with them.
“You hide in the bedroom,” I instruct Alex. “I’ve got this. It’s not my first time trying to avoid getting in trouble.”
He shoots me a wary glance, but he heads toward the bedroom. Moments later, there’s a loud rapping on my door.
I pause for a moment; then, I take a deep breath before calling out, “I’m coming!”
I don’t bring my plate with me, but with my hair in a towel, a face mask on, and one hand stained with the juices of roasted chicken, one could easily assume I’ve been home for quite a while.