Page 157 of Railing the Billionaire

I ordered the cheapest thing on the menu that I didn’t think would get me kicked out—a side salad.

When the salad arrived, I forced down bites between glances at the entrance. Where the frack was Gabriel? Had he changed his mind about coming tonight? He wouldn’t just no-show on me. He wasn’t petty, and he wasn’t a coward.

No matter how many reassurances I gave myself, I still had to choke back the worry and bitter hurt rising in my throat.

I would stay here stabbing at my salad until the staff physically dragged me out the door. It was a good plan. It was my only plan.

I pulled out my phone and stared at our conversation from earlier in the day. There was no way I’d interpreted him wrong, no way I’d gone to the wrong place or shown up at the wrong time.

Afraid but determined, I sent him a text.

Me: I’m here. I’ll be waiting as long as it takes

This whole waitingthing was killing me. I deserved it, sure, but something had to be going on. Maybe Gabriel was having his own emergency. This was the day of his big meeting. I couldn’t believe I’d forgotten that. Maybe he got held up. That had to be it. Peter Daniels was probably holding him hostage, had stolen his phone, and was making him smile for pictures over their successful deal.

I blew out an exasperated breath and sank down into my seat.

“Excuse me, Ms. Hartley. A message for you.”

The waiter was back. He had an envelope in his hand.

Heart sinking, I took the envelope. Would Gabriel write a regretful cancellation note rather than face me in person? He wouldn’t…he couldn’t….

I steeled myself as I pulled out the paper and unfolded it.

Dear Layana,

Our engine of friendship has derailed. You failed to fulfill your half of the bargain, so I've been forced to take matters into my own caboose.

I didn't want it to come to this, but you've left me no choice. I'm railing mad about what needs to be done. Gabriel's fate is at a junction, and you're to blame for sending him down the wrong track.

Meet me at the park before this runaway situation veers completely off the rails. It's your last chance to pull the brakes and get things back on track between us. Don't be late, or you may not like where this train is headed.

All aboard,

Dani

I staredat the cryptic note, dread pooling in my gut. Dani? Her words made no sense.

Except for the part about Gabriel being in trouble. That came through loud and clear.

I racked my brain trying to remember any and every weird conversation we’d shared. She was weird in the bathroom. She was weird…at work and on the subway. No meaningful exchanges were ever made. I’d certainly never made any bargains or deals with her.

I’d told her I didn’t want to read her train blog, which was…was this about her blog?

So why was Dani showing up now, claiming I'd failed to uphold some imaginary agreement? The only explanation was that she must have lost touch with reality. She’d become obsessed with me in some delusional way, enough to threaten Gabriel, enough to lure me to the park with this bizarre note.

My blood ran cold. Gabriel was in danger because of me, because of my association with an unhinged tea and trainenthusiast. I had to get to him fast, before Dani made good on her threats.

I threw cash on the table and rushed from the restaurant, blind to the concerned stares that followed my abrupt exit. Outside I scanned for a cab, cursing the lack of rideshares in this part of town. No time to wait. I took off sprinting toward the park, wishing I’d opted for flats instead of heels.

The night air seared my lungs as I ran.Gabriel, I'm coming, I promised silently.Hold on.

I didn't know what awaited me at the park. Dani would be wielding Godzilla-only-knew what kind of weapon. Gabriel could be incapacitated or injured.

I couldn't let fear stop me. Gabriel needed me. And this time, I would be there for him. This time, I couldn’t screw up.

FORTY-THREE

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