Page 43 of Texting Mr. Stranger

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

MATTEO

In the gym, I hit the bag bare-knuckle, enjoying how the fabric bites my skin and makes my knuckles hurt and bleed. My heart pulses through my body like it’s trying to signal me to slow down, but I can’t. I won’t. Slowing down means thinking, and my thoughts keep returning to her. To the kiss. To how hot and ready she felt.

Finally, though, I can’t take it anymore. I stumble away from the bag, almost collapsing, my chest heaving as I use my teeth to strip off one of my gloves. Tearing off the second one, I sit down, picking up my phone as I try to think of something to text Bella.

I need to tell her that last night was a mistake. Even if that’s a lie—even if a mistake is the last thing it feels like—I need to end this. If the shit with the Gallos goes wrong, it could mean another war. I can’t have attachments in that case. I can’t risk her life.

A text from her is waiting for me when I take a break.

Something bad just happened. I was walking to work, and a man dragged me into the alleyway. He pushed me against the wall and said some terrifying things. He wanted me to tell you that they know where I live. He wanted me to tell you that if you even think about doing anything, they will hurt me.

I call her immediately, but she rejects it.

I’m in the hospital. My mom says I shouldn’t speak to you.

Who was this man?I type, my hands trembling, my skull feeling like it’s splitting down the middle.

I don’t know. He didn’t give me his name.

What did he look like? Did he have an accent? Any tattoos?

I don’t remember,she replies.It all happened so fast, but he insisted that you back off. He said if you don’t, that next time … I can’t even type it. He basically said he and his friends would “make use” of me, if you get my meaning.

My blood turns to ice as I remember what Elio said about the Gallos’ big plans for their brothels earlier. I try to call Bella again, but she rejects it.

Please stop calling.

You need to tell me what hospital you’re at,I reply.

I can’t do that. My mom will freak.

What do YOU want to do?

There’s a long delay, which makes my mind work overtime as I try to figure out the best course of action. My instincts tell me to burn, burn, burn the fuckers—to wipe every Gallo off the face of the goddamn planet. To kill and keep killing until there’s nobody left to make Bella feel small.

I think we shouldn’t see each other for a little while. Tell Sofia I’m sorry, but she should find another teacher.

I move my thumb to thecallbutton again, but do I have the right to harass her now? This isn’t a question of violin lessons, kissing, closeness, or any of that. This is life or death. I press the button, which gets a quicker rejection this time.

I’ve made myself clear.

Part of me hopes this is her mom and her friend talking through her. It’s a cruel, low, frankly pathetic thought to have—this eagerness for it not to beherwho hates me. Yet it’s there all the same.

Grinding my teeth, I decide I’ll have to do something crazy: tell her via text, not all of it, but she needs to know at least some.

You’re in serious danger, Bella. That man could return. Other men could return. This is bigger than you and me. You need to let me move you someplace else.

Move me where?

Somewhere safe.

Three dots appear in the chat conversation, telling me she’s typing a message. Without even meaning to, I’ve started pacing up and down the gym, grinding my teeth as I attempt to figure out how to fix this. I shouldn’twantto fix it. However, I can’t make sense of the Gallos’ plan here.

Threaten Bella? To what end? To keep her away from me and keep her safe? It doesn’t make any sense. Maybe they’re planning a future attack and want to ensure I’m not around. In that case, why didn’t they just get her today?

Matt, I don’t even understand why I’m not safe here.

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