Page 38 of Revived
“Your lips and my lips have a meeting right now, and you’re messing that up.” She continues with her mad expression.
“And they’ll have that meeting, but baby girl, the only person who I want to– as you so eloquently put it– ‘fuck my brains out’was practicing her bar routine. I couldn’t tell you a single thing about those girls. I was too busy being mesmerized by you.”
Her entire face lights up as she smiles up at me. “You mean that, Monster?”
“I mean every word I say to you, Boo.” Before she can respond, I kiss her like her lungs hold the only oxygen left in this world.
Chapter seventeen
Elena Rossi
It’s been a week since the incident with my stalker. In that week I’ve learned absolutely nothing. Mac swears he’s on it, but the fact that even he’s stumped doesn’t exactly leave me with the warm and fuzzies. Today’s my first day leaving the house without a shadow. Everyone was busy today and I have to be at the gym. You’d think that meant everyone was settling back down after what happened that night. You’d be wrong, but youwouldthink that.
No, instead of one of the guys following me, there’s a shiny new guard who posts up outside of the gym. He doesn’t talk to anyone, and no one aside from me knows why he’s actually there. Sully said it’d ease his mind so he can focus while at work, and with the dangers of his job, I wasn’t trying to have his focus split between me and an emergency. Pulling into the parking lot of the gym, I park beside the guard’s SUV. He nods at me subtly before going back to surveying the area. Today’s going to be a long one.
I’ve worked so hard today that every muscle in my body screams for rest, but when my phone starts ringing off the hook at just past seven, I find the inner strength to run over and check it. I don’t recognize the number, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. I have coaches and gyms calling me from all over the country. I swipe to answer without much thought and bring the phone to my ear.
“Hello?” I answer, half expecting to hear some old man on the other line, but whenthatvoice rumbles through the line, I almost vomit on the spot.
“Little gymnast. I’ve missed you this week. Those pesky guys made it impossible for us to continue our game.”
My heart lurches into my throat, but even if I could respond he doesn’t give me a chance.
“YouknowI’ve always hated when you hung out with them. It makes you look like a desperate whore, Elena. You’re so much better than that. Not to mention it makes me look horrible.”
He couldn’t be serious right now. Finally I find a way to choke out, “How are you still alive?”
His laugh is loud and manic. It slides along my skin like one hundred little needles scratching on a chalkboard. “Oh, Elle. Surely you didn’t think I’d let myself get caught by one ofthem.”
“Well, last I checked I managed to get away from you as a seventeen year old girl. So yeah, I was fairly certain that one of the best hackers in the world was able to track you down no problem.” I snap. This mystery man has controlled me for far too long, and I’m over it.
He makes atskof disapproval at my outburst. “Silly woman, I thought you knew better than to provoke me. Tell that guard of yours that I said hi. See you soon. Elena.” The phone beeps three times, signaling that he’s hung up.
Fuck. What the Hell am I supposed to do now?
Maybe I should call one of the guys? No, they’ll just panic. Mac’s doing all he can, even if it doesn’t seem like anything is being done. I know he’s trying to figure this out. It was just a phone call, I can handle this by myself. Maybe I should call this whole thing off with Sully. I mean, hewasdormant for years until right when Sully and I stoppedfighting each other. Just as I think it, a hand lands on my shoulder, causing me to practically jump out of my skin.
“Woah. It’s just me. You were staring off into space. I was just checking on you.” Addy backs up cautiously.
“I’m sorry. I’ve just been jumpy since the person that showed up at my house. Do you want to walk out together? I’m done for the day.” I plaster on a fake smile that must look real enough because Addy just nods and begins rambling about this guy she’s been texting. I’m tuning her out, but like a good friend, I make sure to throw a “no way” in there every once in a while.
I’m really not trying to be a shitty friend or person. I’m just trying to figure out what I’m going to do between the stalker and sacrificing my happiness for safety. By the time we get to our cars and say our goodbyes, I know exactly what to do. I’m too far gone to leave Sully. I’m not sure either of us would survive it at this point. No, I’m completely devoted and committed to him. I do, however, know the one person on this Earth that I trust to help me handle it alongside the ones already working on it. I dial the number and wait as the call rings through my car.
“Principessa?” My Papa’s deep voice rattles through my car.
“Papa.” I choke out, unable to stop my voice from cracking or tears from streaming down my face.
“Elena? What’s wrong?” The alarm in his voice makes me cry harder than I just was. I know I can’t tell him what’s been going on, but I can give him what I’m feeling right now.
“I miss you so much.” I choke out between sobs.
It’s true, I do miss my dad. It’s been just us for so long that even though I lean on my friends when things happen. I also know that when push comes to shove, a girl needs her Papa, and the push has definitely shoved.
“Principessa, I miss you too. More than you could ever know.” He tries his best to soothe me from states away.
“I’m sorry. I know I’m an adult now, and what kind of grown woman calls her Papa to cry when things feel too heavy? I just didn’t know who to call.”
“You can always call me, bambina. Do you need me to make a trip to you?”
