Page 15 of Gambit's Property

No text message.

Nothing.

Although, to be fair, I had to get another phone because the previous one was left at the frat house and got broken. I didn’t want to go back for it, but one of the girls I went with got it for me.

I haven’t seen Gavin in the month since the party, and the holidays are coming. I pack my bag to go home for the winter break and look down as my newest phone rings. I answer it as always, hoping it’s him.

“Hello, little Gheg, you ready for me? I’m coming to get you soon. Now that I know Angeline is still alive, I’m going to have fun killing her after she watches me rape and kill you.”

I hang up, tired of the threats. I wish I could leave the phone here and just forget about it. Maybe he can’t find me then.

I head down to my car and drive home. I see Ley’s men following me, but I also notice a truck in the distance andwonder if that’s my phone caller or Gambit. I have to stop thinking of him as Gavin. It hurts too much. I could have given him my virginity that night and he wouldn’t have cared.

He didn’t care.

He left me alone.

Another Christmas without my family, and this one hurts the worst because I don’t know if my mother’s wishes will be fulfilled. I could be dead before the next holiday if my caller has any say in it. I’ve decided I need to tell Ley to send me away so she’ll be safe and happy.

The holidays only had one good thing come from them. Ley and Leif are dating. I can tell they are in love, and that makes it worse because I want that. I doubt I’ll ever have it now. I know I’m young and it could happen, but my heart and body only want him.

I wait on the sidewalk for Ley to pick me up. I had to come back to campus early because I got the fellowship for next semester. Ley, Leif, and I are going to one of the local malls to pick up some things I’ll need.

When her SUV pulls up, I climb into the back. She and Leif start questioning me about sleep and how I’m feeling. I tell them I’m okay. My cell phone rings, but I ignore it. Leif asks if it’s the guy I said no to calling. I lied to him about my phone calls. I can’t tell him the truth. I’m still trying to figure out how to get away from my stalker and how to protect Ley. After their revelation at Christmas, I knew I couldn’t get her killed. I have to figure a way out of this myself. Maybe Gambit will help me escape. It’s not like he wants me anyway.

I haven’t been taking my sleeping pills lately, and last night I had a dream. The guy calling me is named Crank. He was there when my family was killed, and he and another guy begged to rape me first. I remember him because of his English accent. They were going to fight for me when Ley got us out of there. He was also the one who hit me to shut me up when I started screaming.

Ley makes a weird phone call, and I swear I hear Gambit’s voice, but I feel like I hear and see him everywhere. I know it’s my heart wanting him. I lean back in the seat and continue to joke with Leif about him and Ley. They tell me they are going on a trip together finally, and I’m excited for them. And again, I’m jealous.

After a few hours of shopping, I’m tired and ready to go back to the loft and snuggle one of the dogs. Leif pretty much lives at our place now and brought his dog Di Vinci, a large rottweiler that loves to cuddle, over. Murtaugh still wants to sit with me every time I’m home. He must sense that I’m struggling.

We walk to the mall entrance, all of us ready to get out of here.

“Wait here. I’ll pull the car up,” Ley says as she starts to walk through the door.

“Love, I can do that.” Leif takes the keys from her, and I watch as she watches him. I shake my head as I smile at Ley.

“He’s perfect for you.” I sigh.

I want that so much. I want a man to look at me like he looks at her. I want to check out my man’s ass as he walks away and know he’s just mine.

Her phone rings, and as she looks at the caller ID, a strange look crosses her face.

“Hello,” she answers, and I hear a quiver in her voice. I can’t hear what the person on the other end is saying, but everything changes when she responds in Russian. “Chto ty imeyesh' vvidu, Otets?”She asks the caller what he means and addresses him as Father.

We very rarely talk about her father. I only know that he lives in Latvia now. She doesn’t tell me why she really ran and hid from her family for so long or faked that they were dead.

My own phone rings, and I’m about to ignore it again. Ley takes it from my hand and answers it instead. She keeps her phone to her other ear.

I can’t hear what is said, but I’m sure it’s him. Her face changes into a mask I’ve seen when she’s working, locking up her emotions, until she looks out to the parking lot. Stark fear fills her face as she drops her phone and runs with mine, screaming Leif’s name.

I chase after her and watch as he stops and turns to look back at us. His arm lifts as he clicks the remote to unlock the doors. A blast comes from the car, and we all are thrown back. I scream for both of them and can’t see in the dark smoke that surrounds us.

I finally find them, and she’s begging for Leif’s life, praying that he’s okay. I can’t stop the tears that flow from my eyes.

I did this.

It’s all my fault. I should have left a long time ago. I kneel down next to them as she yells into my phone.

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