Page 48 of Captivated

“I don’t know, Miss. I was told to bring it to you. That’s all.”

“I don’t want any gifts from him, so you can bring it right back. Tell him he can’t buy forgiveness.” I start to close the door, but the man clears his throat.

“I don’t believe it’s a gift like that, Miss.”

I eye him suspiciously. “I thought you didn’t know what it is.”

“I don’t. But it feels like an envelope of papers. That’s all.”

“Papers?” What the hell? “Fine, give it to me.” He hands me the thick envelope through the opening and I mumble a thank you as I close the door.

My name is written in cursive across the front, and I run my fingertips over the ink.

I don’t have time to open it right now, but I can’t leave it laying around for Sean to see. Plus, my rideshare is waiting for me out front, so I shove the package in my bag and run out the door.

I hate taking taxis everywhere I go. I really wish I didn’t have to sell my car. The first one, not the massively inappropriate gift Nico bought me.

I’m surprised he didn’t ask me why he didn’t see it in the driveway yesterday. But then again, he probably already knew I sold it when he came to pick me up since he knows everything about me.

Arriving on campus, I make the trek to the building I need and take a seat in the back corner of the classroom. I usually like the front of the room so I can stay focused and engaged, but today I just want to blend into the back.

The manilla envelope taunts me when I pull my notebook and pen from my bag. I want to know what’s inside. Why would he send me an envelope of papers?

My curiosity almost wins, and I’m about to take a peek, but the professor chooses that moment to walk in, and I shove the envelope deeper into my bag instead.

* * * *

I can’t take it anymore. The curiosity is eating me alive and I can’t focus on anything the professor is saying with how loud the damn envelope is calling my name.

No one took the seat beside me, so I have the whole table to myself for privacy. I pull the envelope from my bag and stare at my name again for a beat before flipping it over and unravelling the string tie holding it together.

I pull out the first piece of paper just to get an idea of what all this is, and it’s a handwritten note from Nico.

Cassandra,

I know there’s nothing I can say that will make what I did right, but I thought turnabout is fair play. I had my cousin Stefano put together everything he could find on me, plus a few things I thought you should know.

Read everything.

Nico

I pride myself on being a strong woman. One who can sort through the bullshit a man spews at me just to get laid.

But Nico…

I can’t tell with him.

I want to believe he’s genuine. He seems genuine.

It’smewho probably seems disingenuous to him. He’s given me all the indication that he wants something more with me and told me he’s not going anywhere.

It was meant to take the pressure off me, but I feel the opposite. He’s waiting for me to realize something I’m not sure I ever will.

I place the note back in the envelope and try my best to focus for the rest of class.

~ Chapter 17 ~

Cassie

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