Page 78 of Mine to Keep

We stepped outside, me with the bag over my shoulder, Noel with the box close to his chest. Of course just as we turned to leave, the door across the way opened and out came James.

“Oh.” He jumped. “I heard the door and thought it was Matt.”

“No, sorry. He’s not feeling well, so he’s staying with me for a few days, so I can take care of him.” I lifted the duffel a bit. “I was just coming to get some of his things.”

“I see.” He eyed me, then Noel. “You’re twins.”

“That we are.” I laughed. The reaction people gave us was always comical. We had the same face, hair color, and eyes, but our fashion sense was completely different.

James waved me off. “Of course you knew that.”

“Well, we gotta go.” Noel started walking to the elevator.

“Right, yeah. Tell Matt Nicole and I hope he feels better.”

“Will do.”

James didn’t move from his spot as we got into the elevator and the door shut. Was he the stalker? Why couldn’t I get a feel for him? And for some reason, Four’s belief that the note was written by a woman was niggling at the back of my head.

I began to fidget, my leg shaking.

“What’s wrong?” Noel glanced at me.

“Something…I don’t know.”

Inside the car, I eyed the box. “What?” Noel frowned.

“I have a funny feeling.”

“About?”

I shook my head and reached for the box. “I think this is in response to the note I left on his bike the other day.”

“Then why would they leave it for Matt?”

That I wasn’t sure about. “Just get home. We need to see.”

“Open it.”Angel slammed a folding knife on the table.

I reached for it, but Four stopped me. “If you think it’s in response to your note on the bike, what’s to say it’s not dangerous?”

“It may be in response to the note, but why would they hurt Matt?” Mason pressed his ear to it. “It’s not ticking.”

“Okay, how about we all step away?” Shep inched forward. “One of us open it and move fast—everyone else go to the other side of the counter.”

“And who do you think will be opening this box?” JJ quirked a brow.

“I will.” I grabbed the knife.

“Nick.” Matt tried to take the knife, but I switched hands.

“I’m fast. I’ll open and run.”

His eyes were full of worry, and he clearly wanted to tell me that I was absolutely not to do it, but we had to know. He sighed but went to where everyone else was standing.

“Ready?” I asked. They all nodded. “One, two, three.” I sliced the sides and across the top, and rushed away.

Absolutely nothing happened.

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