As we race away in the car, a storm of anger and fear swells inside me. How could she be so reckless? How could she risk everything like that?
When the empty road stretches before us, I slam on the brakes, my heart pounding in my chest. I throw the...
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I hung up the phone with a frustrated click, my fingers gripping the device a little too tightly. Gabriel’s words echoed in my mind, fueling the fire burning in my chest. **"It’s not safe. You can’t leave the apartment."**
Who does he think he is, keeping me locked up like this? I paced the length of my living room, fuming at the idea of being stuck inside while some stranger stood guard outside my door. **A bodyguard.** Gabriel had actually stationed a bodyguard outside my apartment, as if I was some helpless damsel incapable of handling herself.
I get it. There was an attack. A bullet could’ve hit either one of us, and Gabriel got injured. But that didn’t mean I was going to sit here like a prisoner while he and his men figured things out.
I glanced at the window, the outside world teasing me with its freedom. The city lights twinkled, reminding me of what I was missing. My life didn’t stop because someone decided to take a shot at Gabriel. But apparently, that’s exactly what he thought. I sighed, running a hand through my hair, trying to control the anger boiling inside me.
I grabbed my phone again, tempted to text Gabriel and tell him exactly what I thought about his overprotective nonsense. But I hesitated, knowing that it would only lead to another argument. He’d tell me it was for my safety, that it was temporary, that they didn’t know who was behind the attack yet. But did that mean I was supposed to sit here indefinitely, waiting for the world to be safe again?
With an irritated groan, I threw myself onto the couch. I hated this feeling—this sense of being controlled, of having my choices taken away. Gabriel didn’t get to decide when I could or couldn’t leave my apartment. He wasn’t in charge of me. And yet, here I was, trapped, thanks to his ridiculous overprotectiveness.
It wasn’t just the fact that I was stuck here. It was the principle of it. I had spent my life being independent, making my own decisions. I wasn’t about to let Gabriel, or anyone for that matter, dictate my movements. The thought of him, sitting somewhere with his smug confidence, thinking he’d done the right thing by ‘protecting’ me, only made me angrier.
"Gabriel," I muttered under my breath, "you better hope you have a good reason for this, because I’m not staying cooped up here forever."
I slammed the door shut behind me, pacing in circles before grabbing my phone and dialing Fiona. I needed to let out my frustration before I exploded.
“Chiara? What’s up?” Fiona’s voice came through the line, casual but concerned.
“I swear, if Gabriel keeps treating me like a damn child, I’m going to lose it,” I snapped, flopping onto the bed. “He’s got me locked up in my own apartment like I’m a prisoner. Bodyguard outside, can’t leave without his ‘permission.’ I mean, seriously? Who does he think he is?”
Fiona laughed lightly, but there was sympathy in her tone. “Sounds like he’s overdoing it with the protective boyfriend act.”
“I’m not even his damn girlfriend!” I fumed. “He’s being ridiculous. I get it, the attack was serious, but I’m not going to just sit here and wait around while he plays Mafia prince. I have a life.”
“Yeah, I can tell you’re losing it,” she said, still chuckling. “But don’t do anything too crazy. You know Gabriel. He’ll just double down on the protective thing if you go rogue.”
I sighed. “You’re right. But still, I can’t sit here forever.”
We chatted for a while longer, catching up on random things before I said my goodbyes and hung up. The moment I put my phone down, it buzzed again. **Amelia.**
I hesitated, my brow furrowing. **Why is she calling?**
I picked up, and Amelia’s sharp voice came through. “Chiara, meet me at the café near your apartment. ASAP. This can’t wait.”
My gut twisted. There was something about her tone that didn’t sit right with me, but curiosity got the better of me. I made a quick decision, knowing full well that Gabriel would be furious if he found out. I slipped out of my bedroom window, carefully sneaking past the bodyguard outside and making my way to the café.
When I arrived, Amelia was already there, sitting at a table with an impatient look on her face. As soon as I sat down, she didn’t waste any time.
“I need information on Gabriel,” she said, her tone harsh. “Or you’re going to lose your job.”
I blinked, taken aback by the bluntness of her threat. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” she replied, leaning forward. “I don’t care how you do it, but if you don’t bring me something on him soon, you’re out. Understand?”
I narrowed my eyes at her, my mind racing. Of course, I wasn’t going to give her anything. Gabriel’s secrets were his, and besides, I knew what side I was on. But Amelia didn’t need to know that.
“Fine,” I lied through my teeth, keeping my expression neutral. “I’ll get the information. Just give me some time.”
Amelia smirked, clearly satisfied with my response. She stood up, her parting words cold and sharp. “ I have gathered some information but I need more. Don’t take too long, Chiara.”
As she walked away, I let out a frustrated breath, preparing to leave when someone else slid into the seat across from me. My eyes widened in surprise.
He was tall—really tall—probably around 6'2", with brown hair and striking blue eyes. There was a distinct cut on his left eyebrow, giving him a rugged, dangerous edge.
“Chiara Moon, right?” His voice was smooth, and when he extended his hand, I noticed the sharpness in his gaze. “I’m Adam. FBI.”
FBI? My mind raced. Why was the FBI suddenly getting involved?
I shook his hand, masking my confusion. “Yeah. What’s this about?”
Adam leaned in, his tone dropping to something more serious. “You need to cooperate with us. We’re building a case against Gabriel Romano, and if you don’t help, you could be charged as an accomplice. And believe me, you do not want that on your record.”
I blinked, trying to maintain my composure. Accomplice? That didn’t make any sense. Gabriel was working with the FBI. So why was this agent acting like he was a criminal?
I feigned concern, nodding along. “I understand. But why would you take action against me?”
“Because you’re involved,” he said simply, sliding a business card across the table. “You’ve been close to him for weeks. You’ve seen more than most. We can link you to his crimes if you don’t help us. Call me.”
I took the card and smiled politely, even though my instincts were screaming that something was off. I watched him leave, my mind racing. What the hell was going on?
I sat back, clutching the card in my hand. If Gabriel was working with the FBI, then why would this guy threaten me? There were too many questions, and none of them made sense.
As I got up to leave, one thing was clear—I couldn’t trust Adam. And whatever was going on, I had to be smart about my next move. I wasn’t going to let anyone—FBI or otherwise—drag me down into a mess that wasn’t mine.
