Page 79 of Forbidden Hearts

“Well, she didn’t make it to your class today,” she says. “So I texted her about it later. I thought maybe she was sick, but she never got back to me. I’ve sent her several texts throughout theday, and she hasn’t responded. That’s why I’m here. I thought maybe you might know if she’s okay since…”

“Since?”

“Well,” she pauses. Her face flushes. “I…I know you two have been seeing each other lately.”

“Not lately,” I correct her. “Besides, she said she was going to drop my class, which explains why she wasn’t there this morning.”

Although it doesn’t explain why she hasn’t answered her texts. I should go check her apartment as soon as possible to make sure she’s okay.

“She’s probably fine,” I say, rising to my feet. “I’m sure she’ll answer your texts when she’s available.”

“I think we should call the police,” she says. That pulls me back to my chair.

“Call the police? Why would you say that?”

“This is going to sound strange,” Isabella says. “but I think maybe she’s in trouble.”

“What kind of trouble?” The way this girl speaks is triggering the fuck out of me. Why can’t she just tell me everything she knows?

“Well, a few weeks ago, two bikers surrounded Alex’s car when we went to the movies. They just stared us down and left. It was weird. Afterward, Alex said it was fine and not to worry about it. But I’ve noticed those same two bikers following us around town. Alex said I was being paranoid, but I swear they were the same guys. They were wearing the same patch with the skull and flowers.”

That sounds like the reaper’s logo. Why would the reapers be following Alex?

Fuck. Did Jacob discover Alex is the person he’s been looking for this whole time? Then that means...

I rise and head for the door.

“Professor, where are you going?” Isabella asks, rushing after me. “Do you know what’s going on? Should we call the police?”

I turn around and put my hands on her shoulders. “Donotcall the police. I’ll find Alex. Just go home and don’t tell anybody about this.”

“No, I’m coming with you,” she says.

“The hell you are,” I say, turning and running to the building exit. The staff parking lot isn’t far from the art building. I arrive at my car a short jog later.

“Wait, I’m coming with you!” Isabella yells as I open my car door. She drops her hands to her knees, panting.

“Go! Home!” I shout.

“No!” she shouts back and raises to her full height. “I’m coming with you!”

She steps in front of my car and puts her hands on the hood.

She’s just as stubborn as Alex. No wonder they get along so well.

“Fucking fine. Get in,” I say.

She runs and climbs into the passenger seat.

“Where are we going?” she asks as I zip out of the university parking lot. I swerve the car around college students, causing a few of them to jump out of the way and fall onto the grass and sidewalk.

Isabella stares out the window at them, mumblingsorryunder her breath.

“Don’t worry about that,” I say. “I just want you to promise me you’ll stay in the car when we get there. Do you understand? Alex will kill me if anything happens to you.”

She nods and grips the seat beneath her, her eyes wide with terror. I dial Santiago, and his voice echoes throughout the car.

“Hermano, where are you? Are you still in San Marquez?” I ask him.

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