Page 7 of Broken Princess

"She's probably in class," Anthony says, hanging up once it goes to voicemail. "Guess you'll just have to talk to her later."

Stefan and I exchange a glance, and for once, I can tell we're actually on the same page. I'm really not sure how I feel about that, but Anthony is being sketchy as hell, and that means something is definitely up.

As Anthony walks off, Stefan waits until he's gone to turn to me. "What the hell was that about?" he asks.

"I don't know," I mutter. "But I intend to find out."

"Wait," Stefan calls after me.

I stop halfway to the door, my fists clenched at my side. "What?" I snap.

He walks over to me. "I know you hate me, and trust me, it's mutual," he says. "We don't have to like each other, or even trust each other, but I know you care about Amelia in your own shithead way, and so do I."

I raise an eyebrow. "Is that supposed to be your attempt at making peace?"

"Hardly," he sneers. "I'm just proposing a temporary truce. Until we find out what's going on, and we know she's safe. Deal?"

I look down as he extends his hand, and the mere thought of shaking it makes my stomach churn. He's right, though. It's not like either of us has a whole lot of options at the moment.

"Deal." I reluctantly return the handshake, but grip his hand tight enough that he grimaces as I pull him in close. "But if I think you have anything to do with this, or that you're in any way, shape, or form, a threat to Amelia, I will kill you. And trust me, you're not the only one who can get away with murder."

He swallows audibly. "Good to know."

I release his hand. "Just so we're clear."

He just frowns, rubbing his hand against his jeans like I contaminated him. "Where do you think she is, then?"

"I don't know," I admit. "But knowing her, she's probably as far away as she can be."

"You really think she ran away?" he asks, raising an eyebrow. "Shouldn't we contact her father, if that's the case?"

"Hell no," I snap. "Her dad's a fucking moron, he can only make things worse. Luckily, he has his head so far up his ass he probably hasn't even noticed."

Stefan nods, so I guess he's spent enough time around the douchebag that even he's seen it. "Yeah, he does seem kind of out of touch." He pauses, watching me thoughtfully. "I guess that explains it."

"Explains what?" I ask.

"The mystery of what she finds appealing about you," he answers without missing a beat. "Smart girls and daddy issues aren't mutually exclusive, it seems."

"Oh, fuck off," I mutter, shoving past him.

CHAPTER 4

AMELIA

When Anthony texts me that he's going to call me, and I shouldn't answer, I'm torn between confusion and concern. I've only been gone a little over a day and a half, and I did take him up on the offer to stay at his dad's safe house while I get my bearings and figure out what to do next, now that I'm over the state line.

It doesn't feel like far enough, but anywhere inside the continental United States probably isn't going to. Dad has eyes and ears all over the place, and connections everywhere. Save for maybe Topeka, there aren't many places you can go that are completely outside the Mafia’s reach.

If I have one thing on my side, it's anonymity, and the fact that I really don't look out of the ordinary, for the most part.

I could always dye my hair, I guess, if I really want to be safe, but that feels like it borders on paranoia. Paranoia doesn't seem like such a bad thing, though, all things considered.

I'm tempted to text Anthony back when my phone rings, and this time, I answer. "Anthony?"

"I told you not to answer," he says in a half-hearted scolding tone.

I sigh, leaning against the kitchen counter in the small but quaint cabin. It's outfitted with more than everything I need to be comfortable while I figure out my next move. "I wasn't sure if that was just about the first phone call."

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