Waiting for Romeo (27 page)

Bryn opens her mouth to talk but Logan speaks before she can get a word out. “Shit, Bryn. I followed her usual route and I didn’t see her. I know it hasn’t been very long, but I think we should call the police. I have a bad feeling about this.”

“She’s here.” Bryn says and points in my direction.

Logan shuts the door and pulls me into his arms. “Emilia. You have no idea how worried we were about you. You said you’d be home by eleven and it’s almost two.” He breathes in my hair.

I’m speechless. I don’t know what to say…and suddenly I’m exhausted. I think from the lack of sleep last night and then the stress of my encounter with Sebastian. I take a deep breath and exhale, slowly.

Logan leans back but still grips my arms. He glances down at me and his face abruptly drops when he sees I’m a mess.

“What happened?” His eyes are wide and filled with alarm. He looks at me and then at Bryn for an answer.

Bryn shrugs. I can see the worry in her eyes. “I don’t know. She just walked in a second before you got here.”

“Emilia, are you okay?” He asks, softly. His hands caress the sides of my face as he stares into my eyes.

I nod. “I’m just a little scraped.”

Bryn immediately is at my side with a wet towel and she kneels beside me as she softly dabs the dried blood and dirt off my leg.

“Bryn, I’m fine.” I take the towel from her. “I just need to take a shower and I’ll be as good as new.”

“You’re not taking a shower yet. You have no idea how worried we were…we are. You come in looking like you’ve been hit by a truck and you say you just need to take a shower and you’ll be good as new. Uh-uh. What the fuck happened to you?” She stares at me.

I glance at Logan, who still looks panic-stricken as he runs his hands through his hair. “Emilia, what’s going on?”

I blink at both of them. I have no choice…I have to tell the truth. Sebastian doesn’t want me saying anything to them, but I’m more reluctant to tell them because I’m worried about Logan’s reaction. I look at their concerned faces and it takes me a second to realize there’s no way I can keep this to myself.

“Can we sit down?” I swallow.

“Of course.” Logan takes my hand in his as we move into the living room. “Do you need anything? Water?”

I shake my head. “No. Thanks.” I wince in pain, slightly as I sit on the couch, leaning on my left side against Logan, since my right side slightly stings from the dirt burn.

“You’re not okay. Let me get you something…how about some ice?” Logan says and starts to make a move to get up from the couch.

I grab his arm. “No. I’m fine. It just stings a little.”

He reluctantly sits back down and wraps his arm over my shoulder. I lean in closer to him, comforted by his close contact.

“Please, Emilia. I can’t take it.” Bryn sits on the edge of a chair directly in front of us. “What happened?” She scoots the chair even closer to us.

“I ran into Sebastian.” I breathe.

“I’m going to kill that motherfucker. He did this to you?” He fumes. “We need to call the police.”

“No. No. Honestly, I’m okay. He didn’t hurt me. I was running and he knocked me over, but that’s it. That’s how I got all these scrapes.” I say, quickly.

“Emilia, Logan is right. We should call the police. He knocked you over? Did he touch you or…” She starts to say but I interrupt her.

“No. He touched my face, but that’s it. You can’t call the police. I promised I wouldn’t say anything. Please let me explain…I don’t want anyone to get hurt. Please. Just hear me out.” I plead.

“Okay.” Bryn says, quietly.

I look at Logan, who is still seething. He rubs his face with his hands and then looks at me. “I’m listening.” He murmurs and drapes his arm around my shoulders again, pulling me tight against him.

“After I finished with Coach Walker, I was on my usual run home. I was about ten minutes from here when Sebastian flew out of nowhere and knocked me over. I didn’t see him. He’s not well. He’s lost at least fifteen pounds and looks like death.”

“He’s not getting any fucking sympathy points from me.” Bryn snaps.

I raise a brow at her.

“Sorry. I’ll try my best to keep my commentary to myself. Go on.” She nods.

“The reason I was mentioning how scrawny he looks is because I’m surprised he had the strength to pin me to the ground.”

“Okay. I’ve heard enough. He pinned you to the fucking ground? If I knew where to find that sick douche I’d go after him this minute, but I don’t. We need to call the police. They can find him and then I’ll beat the shit out of him.”

“Please. Could you both just let me finish without interrupting me?” I plead and blink from one to the other.

They nod.

“He was on top of me because he knew I’d run and he wanted to talk.” I pause while I gather my thoughts.

I glance at Logan and he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.

“Talk?” Logan fumes.

I stare at him. “Yes. Look, he has lost it. I don’t think he was going to hurt me. He wants money and I’m not supposed to say anything to you.”

“Money? That’s extortion. We should definitely call the police.” Bryn says.

“No. I said I wouldn’t say anything. He’s delusional and who knows what he’s capable of doing. Shit, he’s breaking into stores and houses. He’s stealing. Please. We can’t call the police. I don’t want anything to happen to either of you.” I can feel my eyes welling up with tears.

Logan runs his hand along my face and wipes a stray tear. “Emilia, don’t worry. We’ll figure this out. What else did he say?”

I breathe. “I said I’d give him money. He stole three hundred dollars from Spyder so when he said he wanted money I just assumed he’d want something like that, but he wants more…a lot more.”

“How much?” Bryn asks.

“One hundred thousand.”

“Shit. He is insane.” Bryn murmurs more to herself than anyone else.

“He says it’s enough to get him out of here and then he’ll figure out what to do next.” I shake my head.

“He told you to ask me for the money, right?” Logan asks.

I stare at him and nod. “Yes.” I breathe. “When he told me how much he wanted I told him I didn’t have that kind of money and he said he didn’t want my money. I tried to convince him he should ask you himself. I said you’re worried about him…you know…but he wasn’t going for it.” I sigh.

“So, he wants you to get the money from me without saying it’s for him?” He stares at me.

I nod. “Right. I told him I couldn’t ask for that ridiculous amount of money from you. But he said I better come up with some sort of reason why I needed it. He said I couldn’t tell you it was for him because you’d never give it to me….” I hesitate before I say more.

“Emilia, what is it?” He asks, softly.

“Sebastian wanted me to ask you for the money and come up with some lame excuse about why I needed it because he thinks that would make you see me who I really am…in his words, a fucking gold-digger. He said he always tried to tell you that, but you wouldn’t listen to him.”

“I’ve heard enough.” Bryn snaps. “We need to strategize and figure out how to track down the fucker. He can’t get away with this. Agreed?” She looks at Logan.

Closing his eyes for a second, he takes a breath. “It’s taking everything I’ve got to sit here and rationally think about what we should do next. Would I prefer to track him down right this minute and beat the fucking crap out of him? Yes, without a doubt. But, Emilia is right. He’s fucking out of his mind. He’s breaking into places, he split on rehab, and now he’s fucking accosted Emilia in broad daylight and is threatening extortion. Who knows what he’ll do next? And, I’m not willing to take a chance and have him hurt her. No way. We have to act like we’re going along with his plan…it’s the only option. When are you supposed to give him the money?”

“He didn’t give an exact day or time. He just said he’d be in touch.” I say.

“Okay. Good. We have some time to figure this out.” He runs his fingers along his jaw.

I shake my head. “But I don’t want to give him your money. Logan, that’s a ridiculous amount of money.”

“I know it sounds like a lot, but it’s not for me…Sebastian knows that and that’s why he asked for it. Besides, if it means keeping you safe I’d gladly give him ten times that amount. So, please don’t think about the money. That’s not an issue. The issue is giving him the money without him hurting you…I don’t trust him.”

“No. I think he just wants the money…” Then I remember is ludicrous invitation for me to join him. “Well, there’s actually one other thing.”

Logan and Bryn sit and listen, intently.

I look at Logan. “He wants me to join him…he thinks we’d have this great on-the-road adventure.” I shake my head. “He even said he’d give me some of your money…I’m sure he thinks that’s a big draw for me since that’s all I care about.” I roll my eyes and laugh at the ridiculous offer.

He sighs and doesn’t look like he sees the humor in it. He actually looks quite pissed. “See? That’s exactly why I don’t trust him.”

“Logan, you really think I’m going to join…” I trail off because I realize what he’s alluding to.

Logan lifts a brow and I shake my head.

“No. We’ve established he’s insane, but he’s not going to kidnap me if that’s what you’re thinking.”

Bryn leans forward and rests her hand on my knee. “Emilia, I’m with Logan on this one. I get it…under normal circumstances…I’d be laughing my head off. He
really
thinks you’d be tempted to run away with him? But we’re not dealing with normal circumstances anymore and Logan is right…who knows what he’ll do next.”

At that moment there’s a soft knock on the front door.

“That’s Josh.” Bryn looks at both of us.

“I don’t think you should say anything to him, Bryn. I think it’s better we keep this to ourselves.” I say, quietly.

“She’s right, Bryn. I’m sure Josh wouldn’t say anything, but the fewer people that know…the better…if word somehow gets to Sebastian that she said something to us, I’m not sure what he’d do.”

“Of course. I won’t say anything.” She walks towards the door. Josh walks in and the two head to the kitchen.

Logan stares at me. “Should we go up to your room?” I know he asks so we can have more privacy.

I nod. “Sure.”

He folds his fingers around mine and we head up to my bedroom in silence.

I turn to face him and I gaze up into his eyes. “I think I’ll take a…” I start to say shower, but he quickly pulls me into his arms. I close my eyes and drink in his comforting touch. My hands move from his hard biceps, up along his shoulders to his neck as I pull him tighter against me.

“I can’t even tell you how worried I was.” He breathes into my hair. “I don’t want to let you go.”

“I don’t want you to let me go.” I whisper.

He leans even closer and we stand like that for some time.

“You’re sure you’re okay?” He leans down and looks into my eyes.

I nod. “I am now.” I smile.

Keeping his eyes on mine, he takes my face in his hands and just brushes his lips against mine. His lips are warm and when I open my mouth, pushing my tongue into his, he kisses me harder. He groans quietly into my mouth as one of his hands caresses my back while the other pushes into my hair.

His lips move along my jaw to my ear. “I love you, Emilia.” He whispers.

He draws back and I open my eyes. “I love you, too.” I say, softly.

“I’m so sorry.” He breathes.

“Sorry?”

He blinks at me with a pained expression. “Emilia, this is my fault. He was my friend…I hate myself for putting you in danger. If I had any idea this would happen…I would never have…”

I interrupt him. “It’s not your fault. Sebastian is sick. There’s nothing you could do and I know you’re worried, but I really don’t think I’m in danger. I think he just wants the money and he’ll be gone.”

His arms tighten around me. “I wish it was that simple. But when he runs out of the money…and trust me, he will…then what? He’ll be back. I think you’re going to get very used to seeing me.”

“I am used to seeing you.” I smile.

“Well, I’m not going to let you out of my sight. Look, he can only get in touch with you by doing what he did today or at the bar that night. Right?”

I nod.

“If I’m with you all the time then he won’t approach you. It’s just a matter of time before he gets caught doing something illegal then he’ll be out of our hair…at least that’s my plan. What do you think?”

“I like the part where you won’t let me out of your sight, but I don’t know if that’s really feasible. We have one class together besides don’t you think you’ll get very bored following me around?” I smile.

“Bored? I don’t think so…several other words come to my mind when I think of spending all my time with you, but
bored
is definitely not one of them.” He kisses me on the top of my head. “Besides, I don’t necessarily mean you have to be with me all the time…as long as you’re with Bryn, Chloe…or you’re in class…your safe. He only approaches you when you’re alone. And, now that he’s trying to get you to hand over a hundred grand he’ll be extra careful. I’m just hoping it’ll take him so long that he’ll get caught doing something stupid and then our problem will be solved.” He sighs.

“But you have a point about him always coming to you for money…aren’t you worried about that being an issue?”

“It won’t be if he’s in jail.” He says in a matter of fact tone.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

A WEEK HAS GONE BY SINCE SEBASTIAN pummeled me to the ground. It’s like he has disappeared into thin air, but at any moment, I know he could pop out of nowhere.

I’m rarely alone. In fact, the only time I’m alone is when I’m in the bathroom or my bedroom, but even then there are exceptions. Bryn hovers around me when I’m in the house. She floats in and out of my bedroom and even the bathroom, just to check on me. I love her concern, even if it’s a bit extreme. I don’t know if she thinks it’s possible for Sebastian to get past our burglar alarm, then past her and up the stairs to get to me, but the thought amuses me.

When Bryn isn’t looking after me, I have Logan checking every move I make. If he’s not actually by my side, which is a large chunk of the time, he’s either calling or texting me. When we’re at school, he checks on me before and after class, making sure I’m safe and walking with someone.

He’s even taken up running with me as much as I pleaded with him to let me run alone; he won’t relent. I think I’ll eventually get used to this part, but right now I’m having a hard time with it. If I’m not running with my team and I’m on my typical early morning run, I like to be by myself. It’s my alone time. But Logan won’t budge on his decision to let me run by myself.

My mind is preoccupied with too much homework not to mention the extra work I’m doing for Professor Milton. I don’t have much time to think about Sebastian and worry about what he might do next. The only time my mind wanders with these thoughts is when I’m in the shower. I don’t know why that is.

It’s Saturday night and I’m in the shower. My mind wanders as I think about what Sebastian said to me. I told Logan and Bryn everything. The only thing I didn’t mention was what Sebastian said about Seraphina. And, for some irritating reason it weighs heavily on my heart. Shit. It’s in my head again.
Logan will tire of you soon…he’ll be back with someone like Seraphina…it’s just a matter of time.

Why does everything always seem to come back to her? Sebastian attacked me in a bar and in broad daylight. He’s demanding money from Logan with the deranged hope that Logan will see I’m only after his money and yet, I’m not worried about Sebastian. I used to be scared of him, but I’m not even scared of him anymore. I think he’s sick and pathetic, but not threatening. It’s Seraphina that worries me. It’s always been her and as much as I would love to shake the thought out of my head, I can’t. I don’t know why I didn’t say anything to Logan or Bryn about what Sebastian said about Seraphina. Maybe it’s because I know they’ll just laugh at my petty jealousy? Logan loves me and I him, but I still worry about her manipulating him.

I could use a drink. I climb out of the shower. Actually, we probably could all use a drink. Bryn convinces me that a night of drinking and dancing with friends is just what we need so we plan on going to
Tonic
at ten o’clock.

In the kitchen, Bryn is shaking a cocktail mixer in her hands. She’s just pouring it into a couple martini glasses when I walk in the room.

“Cosmopolitans…just what the doctor ordered.” She turns and hands me a glass. “To the end of a really shitty week.” She toasts and clinks her glass against mine.

We both take a sip. “I’m sorry all of this business with Sebastian is stressing you out. It probably would have been better if I had kept it to myself and then I wouldn’t have you and Logan so worried.”

She shakes her head while she sips her drink. “No. Way. I’d be pissed at you if you didn’t tell me. Besides, I’m really not stressed about it. Of course, I worry about you and I just want him to stay the hell away from you. I hope Logan is right and he gets busted for doing something soon so we don’t have to give him another thought. You know?”

“I know.” I say and take another sip. “Honestly though with you two bodyguards, there’s no way he’ll approach me. I don’t see how he’ll get to me and get that money.” I shake my head. “I still can’t believe he wants that much.”

“I can…what a douchebag! But let’s forget about all that tonight. Deal?” She asks and refills our glasses. “You look hot, girlfriend. You’ll have Logan eating out of your hand…oh, but never mind…you already do.” She winks at me.

“Psshh…doubt that. Besides, you’re the one looking hot. I do believe it’ll be Josh who will be eating out of your hand.” I laugh.

“I hope he’s eating out of…” Bryn starts to say and I quickly interrupt her.

“Agh! You have one dirty mind!” I roll my eyes and laugh.

She laughs along with me and then knocks back her drink. “Ready? Let’s go show off the goods so they can’t even see straight and want to do all sorts of fucking nasty stuff to us.”

I squint at her and finish my drink. “I don’t think…” I start to say, but she interrupts me.

“Exactly. Don’t think.” She grins as she takes my hand and pulls me out the door.

TONIC IS CROWDED and the music is ear-splittingly loud. As a result, everyone is in everyone else’s personal space, especially when you are trying to have a conversation.

Bryn stands in the middle of Chloe and I with her arms linked through ours. Chloe is talking, her usual animated-self, but I only hear bits and pieces of what she’s saying. I think from what I can put together, she went surfing with Tyler this morning and she nearly drowned…at least according to her. I’m still getting to know Chloe, but one thing I know for certain is she likes to embellish her stories.

We continue downing our drinks and moving to the music, but I know something is wrong, by the way Bryn and Chloe’s expressions change as they glance over my shoulder towards the entrance of the bar. I turn to slowly look over my shoulder and see Seraphina with another girl move towards the VIP area.

“I can’t stand that ho.” Chloe says, loudly. It’s the one sentence I’ve heard perfectly clear all night. “God, I almost forgot to tell you! She heard about your diamond ring from Logan and she was flipping out all week.”

Bryn and I scoot even closer to Chloe so we can hear what she’s saying.

“What do you mean she was flipping out?” I ask.

“I overheard her in class.” Chloe looks at both of us.

“And?” Bryn asks.

“Well, she found out about it from someone. Not me. I swear to God I’d never say anything to her. You know that, right? I love you and Logan. She’s bad news and I’d never want to cause any trouble.”

“Chloe, I believe you…Bryn is right when she said the school is small…everyone loves gossip.” I say.

“Oh, good. I was worried you’d think I told her. Anyway, I heard her talking to her friend. I guess someone told her you and Logan are engaged.” Chloe starts to laugh.

Bryn laughs with her.

“What’s so funny?” I look at the two of them.

“Holy cow, Emilia! Don’t you think that’s funny?” Bryn snorts she’s laughing so hard. “Seraphina thinks Logan
belongs
to her and then she finds out you two are getting married.” She’s now laughing so hard she can barely breathe.

I smile at the two of them as they are now in hysterics.

“Okay. Okay. I’m glad you find it so amusing, but did she say anything else?” I look at Chloe. “Did she find out it’s not an engagement ring?”

“That’s the beauty of it…she still thinks you two are engaged. You know how gossip is…people see a diamond ring on your finger and they know it’s from Logan so everyone assumes that’s the deal. Has anyone asked you about it?” Chloe looks at me.

I shake my head. “No…well, Rosemary.”

“Rosemary?” Chloe asks.

“She owns the store where I work…well, she and her husband. They’re like family to me.” I explain.

“How about you, Bryn? Anyone ask you about whether or not Emilia is engaged?” Chloe looks at Bryn.

“No. I see what you’re saying. She’s right, Em. People see the ring and most probably don’t think about what finger you have it on…they just know you have this diamond band, so of course you two are getting married. God, what I would have given to be a fly on the wall when Seraphina heard that news!” She takes a sip of her drink and starts laughing again.

“What else did she say?” I ask. Sebastian’s words about her still haunt me.

“Oh, Emilia. Who cares? She’s old news. Look.” She nods her head in the direction where Logan stands with Josh and Tyler. “He only has eyes for you. You know how I’m keeping an eye on him, right? I watched Seraphina come in and he didn’t even glance in her direction. Stop sweating that bitch.”

“I don’t think…” I start to say.

“Don’t think…have another drink.” She turns and orders another round.

“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?” Logan breathes as he slides his hands around my waist, pulling me towards him. My back is to his front. He pulls me tighter against him. “Ready to go?”

“You’ve been busy.” I turn to face him.

“Busy?” He asks with his hands still wrapped around me.

“Hm. I’m used to having you right next to me…making sure I’m safe.” I smile.

“Just trying to give you some space…so you can spend some time with your girlfriends.” He’s so close…that familiar sense of desire sweeps through me.

I lift my hand to caress his cheek and I run my fingertips along his stubble. “I like when you’re in my space.”

He smiles down at me. “We should go so I can bury myself in your space.” He leans over and kisses me softly on the lips.

“I’m ready for that.” I smile.

He laughs. “Have I told you how much I love you?”

“No…actually.” I laugh. “Let me just go to the bathroom really quick and then we can go…you can tell me how much you love me at your place.” I turn to head to the bathroom but he holds onto my waist, firmly.

I face him and laugh. “You’re not very patient. I promise, I’ll be right back.”

He shakes his head. “I think you’re forgetting something. You need someone to go with you, babe.”

“Oh, sure…but somehow I doubt Sebastian is hiding out in the ladies’ room.” I grab Bryn’s hand and pull her with me.

“Potty break?” She asks as we head to the back of the club.

“Do you mind? Logan wants me to have an escort just in case Sebastian ambushes…” I start to say when we enter the bathroom and walk right into…

I immediately stick my hands in the pockets of my skinny jeans. Bryn links her arm through mine.

“Back off bitch.” Bryn snaps.

“Ah. I was just going to say the same thing.” Seraphina says, coolly. She blinks as her eyes move down my arms to my hands.

Bryn pulls me with her so we can move around her, but the bathroom is so small and tight it’s impossible unless Seraphina either moves out of our way or we push her over. The latter option is quite tempting.

Seraphina’s expression changes from agitated and cold to something more impassive. I can’t tell what she’s thinking, but she looks a bit unbalanced.

“He’s not yours.” She says in a soft, eerie voice. “You’ll see and I think you’ll be quite surprised by his decision.”

“Al-righty then, psycho-bitch.” Bryn rolls her eyes and then shoves her with her shoulder to get past her while pulling me with her.

“You’ll see.” Seraphina says in a sweet high-pitched voice as she heads out of the bathroom.

“What the fuck? Are all of Logan’s former friends completely insane?” She says shaking her head. We both squish into the same stall.

“What do you think she means? What decision? And, what does she mean you’ll see? Can’t she just leave him alone?” I ask.

“Seriously, Emilia. Don’t give her or her idle threats another thought. She’s full of shit. She and Sebastian both should be locked up in the loony bin. Fuck! What’s wrong with these people?” We head back out of the stall and quickly wash our hands.

I can’t help but laugh.

“What’s so funny?”

“You are…I think you could use another drink.” I laugh.

“Hell. Yeah.” She smiles as we head out of the bathroom.

A second later we run into Josh and Tyler just as they are headed out of the men’s room.

Josh grabs Bryn around the waist and I can hear her briefly explaining our encounter in the bathroom. I overhear Josh tell Bryn, “You should have taken that bitch down.” Then Bryn is in a fit of giggles.

“Hey, Tyler.” I say as we walk together towards the front of the club. “You know, I just want to tell you I’m happy you and Chloe are together. She’s awesome.”

He smiles. “Well, I told you before when you broke my heart…”

“Aw, don’t say it like that.” I interrupt him.

He chuckles. I can tell he’s had too much to drink by the way his eyes are half-shut and his words are slightly slurred. “I told you that the bottom line is I wanted you to be happy and you are.”

I smile at him. “Thanks, Tyler. I’m glad you’re happy to…” I say and then my mouth drops open.

Shit. Seraphina is talking to Logan. She looks desperate, pleading with him about something and he looks annoyed. He turns away from her and she grabs his shoulder to get his attention. When he turns he catches my stare and immediately walks towards me. Seraphina glances at me, scowls and then abruptly turns to leave.

I think I might get sick. I’m frozen. Logan looks anxious as he approaches me at the same time Tyler moves away from us and takes a couple steps towards Chloe, Bryn and Josh.

“Let’s go.” Logan says.

“That’s all you can say? What were you two talking about?” I hiss.

I don’t know why I’m so angry. He wasn’t doing anything wrong…she was trying to talk to him and he looked like he wanted nothing to do with her, yet I’m pissed. Maybe it’s because of everything? I’m sure it’s just Sebastian’s assertion that Logan will be back with her and then running into her in the bathroom that’s gotten me all fired up. Besides seeing her leaning towards him and talking to him just brought all those awful memories back into my head, making me more angry.

Bryn quickly rushes to my side. “Emilia, nothing happened. I saw her go up to him…he refused to talk her. He didn’t do anything wrong.” I look at her and then back at Logan.

I can see Bryn out of the corner of my eye look from me to Logan and back again. “Don’t let that bitch get to you.” She murmurs before she turns and walks back towards Josh.

Logan’s eyes don’t leave mine as he steps forward, putting his hands on the small of my waist.