Sleeping With the Enemy

Sequel: Chapter Fourteen

Gemma

"Fourteen People were killed, and another twenty-three injured in a terrorist attack in New York City last night. Witnesses say the gunmen entered a dance club with machine guns and began firing on the crowd of young adults. The men fled the scene and have yet to be located, and the FBI is launching a nationwide manhunt. Officials say if you see the men pictured to please contact 911 immediately. Do not approach them, as they are considered armed and dangerous."

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I stared at the TV, listening to the news anchor detail last night's attack. Anthony had been the perfect distraction last night, but now the initial shock was wearing off and the weight of what happened was hitting me like a punch to the gut.

Haunting images flashed across the screen. People running out of the club. Crowds of screaming and crying spectators. Bullet riddled walls and shattered windows. Blood. There was so much blood.

Fourteen people were dead because of me. Fourteen people who were just out with friends dancing and celebrating and having a great time. Who were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Fourteen families mourning. Fourteen futures destroyed. Fourteen lives lost because of me.

Anthony came up from behind me and set his hand on my shoulder. "You shouldn't watch this. Your dad's men had to get ahead of the story and spin it in our favor, so there's going to be a lot of misinformation."

"Were fourteen people killed?" That was all I could fixate on right now. I didn't care how it was spun, or what they wanted to label the attack as. I was only concerned with the suffering.

Anthony hesitated, reaching for the remote and shutting it off. "I don't know. I haven't heard specifics yet."

"Oh, my god." I sucked in a sharp breath, sinking into the couch and covering my face in my hands. It was one thing that these men were after me, but it was absolutely crushing to know that so many innocent lives were lost in the crossfire.

"Gemma, look at me." Anthony cupped my chin in his hand, angling my face toward him. "This isn't on you. This is on the shooters, and only the shooters. Men like that are designed to kill, and they don't care about the reasons. They do it for fun. You were their target, and they didn't have any reason to go after anyone else. They could have come straight in there and taken those people as hostages until they got to you, but they didn't. They killed them just because, and those lives are on them. Not you."

His words were supposed to make me feel better, but it did the opposite. I was their target, and this wasn't going to be the end of it. Not by a long shot. My dad would hunt down the men who came after me, but there would be more to replace them. This was just the beginning.

Tears fell from my eyes, and Anthony snaked his arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his chest. "Come here."

I buried my face in his chest, letting his strong body encapsulate me. I wanted to disappear in embrace, to lose myself in the safe, sweet ignorance I'd been in last night. Reality was too heavy right now, and all I wanted to do was break down. Anthony kissed the top of my head, gently comforting me as he stroked my hair. "Everything is going to be okay, Gemma. I promise."

I wasn't sure how long we stayed there like that, Anthony holding me as I cried and cried until I had no tears left. He supported me when I wasn't sure I could even hold myself up anymore.

When I finally pulled away, he gave me a sweet smile, wiping at my cheek. "You know, even when you're upset, you're still the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my life."

I let out a sharp laugh. With my puffy, red eyes and tear-stained cheeks? Who was he kidding? "Yeah right."

"I'm serious." Anthony grinned, brushing a piece of hair behind my ear. "I love seeing you smile, but I like that you feel safe enough to let your guard down in front of me. To let me see you at your most vulnerable."