Page 85 of Hiding Forever

24

Riley

“The camera app is working,” I say into the phone. “Thanks again for the help.”

“No problem,” Cooper responds. “If you have any issues, just text me. I’ll get right on it. Is there anything else I can do for now?”

“Nope. I’m good.”

“All right, man. I have to get back to my day job, but like I said, text if you have any problems.”

“Will do. Talk to you later.”

I end the call and scan the camera feed now linked to my phone. Five cameras surround the exterior of the cabin and doors that lead outside. The windows are all connected to the alarm system, as well as the doors. If anyone were to approach the cabin, I’ll know. If anyone dares to enter, I’ll know and be ready.

A soft meow catches my attention. I stroll to the great room, where Itty-bitty was asleep on a blanket on the floor. I didn’t want her to jump down from the couch and hurt herself. She’d probably be fine. She’s a cat, but she’s tiny and I’m overprotective, I guess.

“Hey, Sleeping Beauty.” I pick her up and carry her into the kitchen. “Want some food?”

Neither of us are on a schedule like when we were at Gigi’s. I plan to fix that today.

After I fill her bowls with food and fresh water, I set her on the floor. She digs right in.

While she eats, I check my app to see whether the supplies I ordered last night are arriving today.

Kitten food and bowls, a playpen fence, a litter box, and litter are all on track to be delivered this afternoon.

Nova packed some litter in a bag for me, but it wasn’t nearly enough, and the casserole dish I put it in leaves a mess all over the wood floors.

I yawn and decide to have a second cup of coffee. I usually limit myself to one in the mornings, but I slept like shit last night. New place, lots on my mind, and a chill I couldn’t escape no matter how many blankets I piled on myself.

Agent Keller hasn’t given me an update on Marina’s whereabouts yet, and I don’t have a good feeling. When I was finally able to get some solid sleep last night, I woke in cold sweats, ripped from a nightmare about Nova being in danger.

She was at the beach instead of at Gigi’s and someone was chasing her.

I pull up the videos she posted on Instagram yesterday. My lips curve with a smile even as I rub the ache squeezing my heart. I didn’t double-tap to like them, even though I set up a fake account so I could spy on her. I’d just finished setting it up and followed her account when she posted a video, as if she somehow knew I needed to see her.

Red rimmed her eyes, alerting me that she’d been crying but she otherwise seemed happy. I must have watched those videos a dozen times. I only stopped because it seemed as if Itty-bitty could hear the meows and purrs from her fur-siblings and was sad.

We snuggled on the couch and watched a movie to get our minds off what we left in Santa Barbara. Not once had a place felt like home to me, not my home growing up and not Gigi’s place, until I left. Now, when I think about it, I long to return, like I belong there.

I keep telling myself it’ll pass. I tell myself these feelings for Nova will pass, too. They’re not real but rather a result of connecting with someone my age after so long.

I don’t know whether I believe a person can slip into a relationship as easily as slipping into bed at night. Nova is like the finest sheets I’ve ever experienced, though. Too easy means it can’t be real. Right?

The wordlieblasts from a place deep inside me.

It was real; we just couldn’t make it work. Yes. Falling for Nova was easy. Staying with Nova was the challenge, and there’s always a challenge.

That seems to be my new life motto ever since the incident in college that changed my life.

I check my email to see whether Agent Keller has responded yet.

My stomach tightens at a reply.

Marina landed in LAX and left for Malibu. We have eyes on her. I don’t think this is related to you given the pictures of you leaving the Santa Barbara Airport is getting attention online. Nothing is certain however, so stay low until you hear from me.

Now my stomach churns with anger and concern. I don’t like being away from Nova and Gigi when Marina is so close to them. Agent Keller wants me to stay put but now I’m second-guessing leaving them so suddenly. Yes, Gigi has a state-of-the-art security system and a staff of people at the ready, but none of them are trained against Mafia people. Sebastian aside, most of their kind are crazy and reckless. Marina is one of the craziest.

Every cell in my body burns with the need to return to Nova and Gigi. I can protect them better than a security system. I shouldn’t have left. I thought doing so would draw Marina away from them. I thought they’d be safer. Now, I want to go back.

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