Sleeping With the Enemy

Sequel: Chapter Fifteen

Gemma

"Are you nervous?" Anthony asked, resting his hand on my thigh as we rode in the back of the Escalade, careful not to let the driver see him touching me. As an extra layer of security, my dad sent a car to pick us up and bring us back to the house instead of us driving there ourselves.

After four days in our secluded sanctuary, we were finally venturing home and facing the real world. We'd spent the last few days completely lost in each other, not paying any attention to what waited for us outside of these walls, and now that we were headed there, reality was sinking in like a sharp punch to the gut.

I didn't want to leave Anthony's. We'd created a dream world up there, and part of my wanted to stay forever. It was like we were untouchable up there, free from stress or worry and just completely consumed with each other--like some sort of cheesy romance movie It was better than the movies, actually. Anthony and I had so much sex the last few days that my body was exhausted and aching, but in the best way possible. His bed, the couch, the counter, outside on the balcony. There wasn't a surface in his apartment we didn't christen.

Anthony explored my body like he drew the map himself. Every touch was precise and intentional and set fire to my body like a match to gasoline. I needed him like I needed to breath, the connection between us ferocious, wild and all consuming. Just a few days ago, we were two separate people just coexisting, and now it was like we were melded together. Two pieces of the same soul. I had fallen hard and fast for Anthony, and now I wasn't sure how I'd ever lived without him.

Now that we were leaving, we'd have to pretend nothing happened. My dad couldn't find out, and going back to masking my feelings toward Anthony was going to be excruciating. Not to mention that leaving meant we also had to face the threats against me. My dad's team spent the last few days chasing down the men from the club, but they were small fish compared to Diego.

The men he sent that night were his errand boys, and even though my father caught them, the threat was no where near eliminated.

"I'm fine." I shrugged, keeping my eyes fixed on the passing scenery.

Anthony put his finger to my chin and tilting my face toward him. "You're lying to me."

I bit my lip, not waiting to admit how anxious I actually was. Now that I didn't have the distraction, the initial shock had worn off and I was feeling uneasy and scared all over again.

"It's okay to be nervous, Gemma. There's nothing wrong with that." Anthony gave my knee a squeeze. "I'll keep you safe, I promise."

"I know." I gave him a tight smile. He was trying to make me feel better, but his assurance did the opposite. If I was going to lead, I needed to keep myself safe. I didn't need to depend on a man for that. When I thought about the way I froze the other night, it was like a knife twisting in my chest. 

When the front gates opened, four armed guards waved us through. There was a heaviness in the air here, only magnified by the extra security my dad brought in. The attack had everyone on edge, and we were all trying to deny it. 

My mom and dad were both standing out in front of the house anxiously waiting for us. When we came to a stop, Anthony took his hand off of my knee and gave me one last peck on the cheek before we got out. It would be hours before I felt his warm, reassuring touch again, and I already missed it. 

"Oh, Gemma." My mom nearly burst into tears, throwing her arms around my neck before I barely stepped out of the car.

"I'm okay, mom." I laughed nervously, giving her a tight squeeze. The trauma of the attack and being away from my family for a few days had me feeling a little emotional myself, and I bit back my tears.