His words don’t register until the door closes behind him.
Wait, what?
I shake my head. It doesn’t matter. I have more pressing things to do, like checking out my phone and contacting both Ally and Luna.
I also need to find a safe spot to hide it. Matteo didn’t say I couldn’t have one, but I don’t want to chance it either. Otherwise, Luna could have just given it to me instead of smuggling it into my bag. Definitely not worth the risk.
Grabbing one of the sandwiches Matteo left, I take a big bite and open my contacts to dial Ally. Even though I didn’t expect her to answer, my heart still sinks a little when her voicemail pops on.
The beep sounds, and I clear my throat awkwardly. “Hey, Ally, it’s me, Gemma. I only just got access to a phone and listened to your voice message. I hope you’re still doing okay, but shit, what the hell is going on with you and Nikolai? It sounds like you’ve got a lot of explaining to do. I’m, mmh, I’m doing okay here. I don’t know if you heard, but I got shot at the bar. It was thankfully just a graze on my side, but it’s still a pain. Matteo got me out of there, and he and my dad decided I should . . . uh . . . I should stay with Matteo for now. He took me out of the city this morning, so I have to deal with his grumpy ass for the foreseeable future. Get back to me if you can, please. Love you.”
I end the call and blow out my cheeks. My mind is dizzy from all the questions swirling around in it. Should I have told Ally where Matteo took me? At first, I was planning on telling her, but what if someone else listens to the message? What if the Russians come after us to harm either or both of us because of it? As much as I’d like to not be held hostage here, I also don’t want anyone to get hurt. And considering what happened yesterday, it’s better to be safe than sorry. The last thing I need is to be under fire again. No, thank you.
Even the grumpy ass is a better option than that.
Especially since he’s actually not too bad.
Nope, not going there.
I pause to listen for any sounds coming from outside the door. I don’t need to hurt myself again. I’m not a masochist.
When everything seems quiet, I pull up Luna’s contact. She’s the only other contact beside Ally and Matteo, but I decide to text her rather than call. I’m not sure I’m comfortable enough to do that yet. Not only did she provide me with clothes and books, but also with a phone and therefore, a way to contact my cousin and her, so I’m incredibly grateful. And the fact that she got Ally’s voice message for me was extra sweet of her.
Me: Hey, Luna, it’s Gemma. Thank you so much for the phone. I cannot thank you enough.
There, that’s good enough for a first text.
I’m just about to put the phone away, as three little dots appear at the bottom of the screen. I continue eating while I wait.
Luna: Hey, girl. You’re so welcome. I’m glad you found it. How are you feeling?
Me: I’m okay. I’m going to feel a lot better once I finally take a shower.
Luna: Yeeeeees. I’d be miserable in your shoes. Do you like the books I got for you?
Me: Oh yes, sorry. Totally forgot to say thanks for those too, well, for everything really.
Luna: No worries. I paid for all of it with my brother’s credit card, but don’t tell him.
Me: You paid with your brother’s credit card without telling him?
Luna: You bet I did. It’s so much more fun this way.
I chuckle, despite myself.
Me: He won’t get mad?
Luna: Oh, he’ll totally blow his roof off, especially when he sees that I didn’t just buy stuff for you. But it’s okay, I’m keeping him on his toes this way. Really, he should thank me for exposing these security risks to him.
Oh my gosh, she really is crazy—in the best possible way.
A noise from somewhere startles me, and I type another quick message.
Me: I think I heard your brother, so I better go. Thanks again for everything.
Luna: My pleasure. Text again soon, and keep me updated on your reading. That series is sooooo hot! But hands off River, he’s my book boyfriend.
With a silly smile on my lips, I go the cliché route for now and hide the phone in my underwear drawer.