Page 45 of Texting Mr. Stranger

“Hmm,” I grunt, but it matches my suspicions.

Leaving the wannabe assassin in the piss and the filth, I take out my cell phone and call my brother. Things just got far more urgent. I won’t be able to give Bella a choice now. She might hate me for it, and I wouldn’t blame her.

Like it or not, she’ll have to do what I say.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

BELLA

Mom has her hand on one of mine. Emily’s is on the other, and both hold me with warmth and support. There’s a small voice whispering in me to text Matt, to tell him I want to see him, but I have to be strong for Mom. After I told her what happened, she freaked big time. Maybe I should be freaking, too. Perhaps I am, deep down, but it hasn’t hit me yet.

“Are you sure there’s nothing I can get you?” Mom says.

“I’m fine,” I murmur. “Honestly. I don’t think you need to take time off or anything.”

“You don’t think I need totake time off?” Mom says in disbelief. “You were mugged …”

“I wasn’t mugged.”

“Attacked, threatened … Iknewthat man was bad news.”

Mom still doesn’t know what I told the police. Neither does Emily. As far as they’re concerned, the police know everything I do. They know that the wannabe tough guy mentioned Matt. They don’t realize I covered for him.

Mom flinches when there’s a loud knock on the door. “What is thisnow?” she groans.

“I’ll get it,” I say on instinct, making to stand up.

“You willnot.”

Mom rushes to the door, her loud footsteps telling me that whoever this is might regret interrupting us. “Uh, hello …”

I turn, my breath catching, when I see Matt standing there looking like a demon straight out of hell. His shirt is crumpled, and his whole body is heaving in time with his breath. I’ve never seen somebody look so wild before—so ready for blood.

“I’m sorry, Mrs Rossi,” he says, “but I have to come in.”

“You’re Matt, yes?” When he nods, she snaps, “Then you have no business?—”

“Mom!” I walk over to them, trying to keep my voice steady and not let all the emotion from last night wash over me.Be strong. Folding my arms, I look at Matt. “I told you?—”

“The situation has changed,” he cuts in. “They know where you live.”

“Who’sthey?” Mom hisses.

“I’m sorry, ma’am. I really am. I wish I could treat you with the respect you deserve, but you have to come with me now. All of you. We’ll have time for answers after.”

Mom turns to me with her mouth hanging open. After a pause, she hisses, “Can we believe anything this man says? We have to call the police.”

Matt takes a small step into the room, his hands hanging at his sides like he’s ready to use them. There’s something different about him. It’s not just that his hands are scraped up from apparent violence. It’s not just the fire in his eyes. His whole aura has changed like he’s an instrument out of tune.

“Please don’t do that,” he says darkly.

“Or what? You’ll stop us by force? Is that it?”

“All I want is to keep you all safe,” he says in the most emotional voice I’ve ever heard from him yet—husky and genuine. It draws me closer.

“Safe from what?” I ask curiously.

Mom begins to move in front of me as if she’s going to block me.

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