Page 84 of Muted

Jogging to the front, I silently throw up a thanks when another resident is exiting the building. I’m able to go right inside, then race up the stairs. I’ve barely stopped before I’m pounding my fist on her door.

Almost immediately, I hear movement from inside the apartment, so I step back and grin when the shadows under the door tell me that Susu is checking the peephole before opening. She’s a good girl, staying safe and I’ll make sure to let her know that I’m—

“Who the fuck are you?”

My smile falls into a deep frown.Not Susu.

“I’m a friend of Susu.” I call, crossing my arms and glaring when I don’t hear the woman hidden from my eyesight unlock the door for me. “Are you going to open up?”

Her hysterical laugh comes through muffled. “Por el amor de Dios! I assume you’re referring to my roommate, Susanna, since you are using the same ridiculous nickname as that other dude. She’s in her bedroom, and I’m not bothering her.”

Taking a step closer to the door, I glare into the peephole she’s still looking through to give the illusion I’m staring her down.

“Please let me talk to her. It’s important,” I say through clenched teeth. “I tried texting her, but she’s not answering.”

Susu’s roommate moves back from the door, and I know I’m about to be dismissed. “Well then, there’s your answer. If she doesn’t want to see you, I’m definitely not opening the door to a dude five times bigger than me, covered in tattoos. That would just make me an idiot.”

I blink at her, then take stock of myself. I’m dressed in black jeans and a tight black T-shirt, arms covered in tattoos which peek out above my collar. I’m bearded, and really fucking angry.

Sighing, I deflate. “You’re right. You shouldn’t open the door for me. Just so you know, I’mnota bad guy. She’s my… friend,” I choke on the word before continuing. “Something happened today, and I want to make sure she’s alright. Will you tell her I stopped by?”

The roommate is silent, but I see her shadow move closer to the door to look at me again. Softer this time, she says, “I’ll tell her. I called in sick tonight, so I’ll be home all evening, in case you were worried she’d be alone.”

I relax further, knowing I can’t do anything for Susu right now. “Thank you, Susu’s roommate.”

“Miriam,” she calls through the locked door.

Nodding my head, my lip quirks up. I like the girl. Most don’t stand up to me. It’s probably easier to do it from behind closed doors, but I appreciate her holding her ground.

“Miriam,” I repeat. “Before I go, would you slip me a piece of paper and pen? I want to leave my number, just in case.”

“I’ve had my phone dialed in to 911 since you showed up, just in case. Just tell me and I’ll save it.”Reallysmart girl.

Giving her my number, I thank her again before walking back out to my truck, slower this time. I don’t leave until I send my girl one more text.

Me: I stopped by. I like Miriam. If you need me, I’ll be here. I’ll always come to you.

Chapter 23

Voiceless

Susu

I decided what I’m going to do, and frankly, it’s the best option I have at the moment, even though I know it’s a bad decision.

I’m going to be a fucking idiot.

Easy to do. I think. I’ll just make it really freaking obvious what Cliff is having me do. I give Chester one,maybetwo, reviews of the books to see the ‘mistakes’ I’m making. Hopefully, he’ll take it to the police right away because I’m also going to do it in a way that coincides with alterations that Cliff is having me do.

Thehopeis that he will get caught all by himself. Nothing to do with me. It’s the only way I can think of to lower the chances of Cliff contactinghim.

I made one other decision as well, one that makes me nervous and excited and terrified and giddy as hell. The guys. Yeah, I’m going to dive right into that sea of choices and delicious muscles.

Telling them everything can’t happen yet, but I think if I start off small, share little things, let us move at a pace we’re all comfortable with, it’ll give me enough time to wait out Cliff being caught before I need to dive into the heavier stuff.

It’s not that I don’t trust them, but I’ve learned the hard way that if no one knows, it goes a little easier for me.

I also need to talk with them, let them know that I’m not going to choose only one person to get to know. It’s called dating for a reason, right? Both TheoandVance have expressed an interest in seeing where things can go. I want to know as well.

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