Page 57 of Texting My Valentine

I lower my head, leaving it purposefully unfinished. My breath comes fast, and tears stream down my cheeks. I’ve never had a performance filled with so much genuine emotion. I didn’t have to fake anything about that. It came easily.

Suddenly, the crowd erupts into applause. I look up to see Alex and Mom on their feet, competing to see who can clap the loudest. I brush tears from my cheeks and then take a short bow.

Patricia, the host, touches my arm as we pass each other on the stage. “Justexcellent, dear,” she says effusively. “Stunning and moving. You should be so proud.”

Back at the table, Alex stands, sweeping me into his arms. I’m caught up in the moment, spinning around, laughing in delight, feeling like I could take off. The high from the performance mixes with the high of simply being close to him.

“That was incredible,” Mom says. “Really, Tori…”

We sit, and then Alex takes his phone from his pocket. I’m sure I see the name ‘Catelina’ flash on the screen. My stomach drops, my good mood vanishes, and my thoughts spiral.

“I’m sorry. I have to take this.”

Mom must see the way I’m watching him as he walks across the bar. She touches my hand and says in a low voice, “Don’t let your thoughts get the better of you. You’ve got no idea what that call is about.”

When Alex returns, all positivity has drained from his face. He looks much like he did in the alleyway when he went fully ferocious, ready to tear somebody apart.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“Somebody threw a brick through the window of my beach house,” he growls. “No idea who, but it feels like too much of a damn coincidence.”

“You think it was Damien?”

“Like I said, I don’t like the coincidence. I need to go and check on Elliot. He must be terrified.”

I stand. “Let me come with you.”

Time seems to slow as I wait for him to say no, to invent some excuse, but then he nods. “I think you should come, too, Monica, since you’ve got a connection to the Kents. If this does have something to do with them, we don’t want to leave you unprotected.”

We leave the car and rush across the street. Alex pushes the door open and runs through the house. The beach house is beautiful, with incredible views of the ocean. The idyllic look of it and the events don’t seem to match.

Mom and I wait in the foyer. A woman approaches us, probably around fifty, with a kind smile and worry in her eyes. “Hello, hello,” she says anxiously. “I am Catelina, Elliot’s nanny. Sorry to disturb your evening.”

Elliot’s nanny…

Well, hell, Tori. See where paranoia gets you?

“Uh, nice to meet you,” I say, feeling like the world’s biggest idiot.

Mom gives me a ‘told you so’ look.

Alex returns, carrying a boy, arms wrapped tightly around him. Elliot looks around with an anxious expression. Alex puts him down. “Elliot, this is Tori and Monica, my… friends.”

“It’s great to meet you, Elliot,” I say, leaning down and smiling at him.

Elliot grins. “You’re pretty.”

“Elliot!” Catelina says in surprise.

“It’s okay, Cat,” Alex says. “I happen to agree. Why don’t you get them settled with something to drink? I’m going to call the cops.”

CHAPTER 20

ALEX

“Ithink you should both stay here tonight,” I say. “I’ve got two spare rooms, so you’ll be comfortable.”

Catelina has taken Elliot back to bed, and now Tori, her mother, and I are in the living room. I’ve boarded up the window and given my statement to the police, who have promised to look into it. But one of them mentioned something about ‘kids in the neighborhood,’ which doesn’t sound promising.

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