Page 128 of Dubious Match
“What do you want?” I ask. “I’m tired, I’m fighting to get back to my client before this blizzard, and I don’t have time for your bullshit.”
My nerves are shot. I’m not ready to see Caleb and Lars again. I don’t think I ever will be.
“Why are you working yourself to the ground, Nova?” Caleb asks. “You know we have to talk. This affects Hollis.”
I’m somehow unsurprised that they know my name. I wonder if Hollis and they have talked or if they figured this out on their own. I have clients in the mafia world, and they definitely remind me of the men who walk within it. My head hurts as I spiral. All I wanted to do was get a fucking shower.
Pixie has been with me at Katee’s house, happily sitting in her cat tree and watching the snow as it falls. There’s no way that I’d be able to stay with Katee and Addy for this long otherwise. I’m glad I don’t have to worry about her while I’m stuck dealing with this inconvenience.
“Why?” I ask him. “I’m literally no one.”
And it should stay that way honestly. People on the run can’t have friends. I don’t want my parents to use anyone to get to me.
“That’s not true,” Lars purrs, taking a step toward me.
Panicking, I shove Bertha into reverse and turn the wheel to turn around.
“Fuck the change of clothes and shower,” I growl under my breath.
There I go, talking to myself again.
“Woah, no. Nova, come on,” Lars says, running into the middle of the blessed road and holding out his arms.
“You shouldn’t know my name or where I live,” I wheeze. Trauma is making me extra paranoid, and I shake my head.
There’s no way they’re working with my parents. They don’t seem the type. The darkness is trying to descend, telling me I have to run.
“I don’t want to do this, but I’ll just disappear,” I say. “I have people who need me, clients and babies I’m taking care of!”
“You don’t have to go anywhere,” Caleb soothes as tears cloud my vision.
“I can’t, I can’t,” I gasp, clawing at my throat.
“Fuck, it would figure you have panic attacks like your sister,” Caleb grumbles.
“My what?” I ask. My vision is quickly turning black in the corners and my body is starting to list to the side. I’ve been pushing myself too hard.
I really don’t want to pass out.
Caleb’s long legs bring him to my door where he wrenches it open. My foot slips off the brake and the car continues to move forward. Lars curses, moving out of the way as Bertha proves she has a mind of her own and attempts to run him over.
Caleb climbs into the van and stomps on the brake, leaning over me. His pupils blow as he inhales sharply, but I’m unsure why as I struggle for oxygen.
“Breathe,” he growls, shoving the gear shift into park. “I don’t know who you’re running away from, but I sure as fuck plan to find out.”
And then, the darkness pulls me down, a heavy blanket of tears and fear that suffocates me and refuses to let me go. There goes my happy bubble.
Fuck.
CALEB
“Fuck!” I gasp, looking at the woman who is mine. My chest is heaving, and Lars comes around to stand behind me.
“Hand her to me so we can bring the van inside,” he says.
My eyes continue to gaze at her because she’s now become not only the most precious thing to my best friend, but also to me.
“I need you not to freak out,” I rasp. “Lars? Goddamnit.”
