A SPOT FOR HOPE (MXM) BOOK 2

CHAPTER 15

HOPE

"Jew?" I tilted my head as I saw Ash's message on my Viber. He'd sent it this morning, but I only read it now as I walked down the busy streets.

'We saw Jew, he's still alive. Message me if he approaches you. Don't go near him, okay?'

I read it again, this time raising an eyebrow. I didn't know anyone named Jew, and why did Ash sound like a worried boyfriend?

This felt suspicious. I frowned, then shrugged it off and replied:

'K'

Now I am curious. Who is Jew? Do they know him? Should I ask them? Does this guy know something about Henerson?

My eyes widened a bit, and I stopped walking.

Maybe? Should I try to find him? But Jew what? What's his full name?

"Your face looks scary," Gabriel commented beside me, drawing my attention. I glanced at him and smiled, happy to see him looking fine despite his recent breakup with Gab, which had actually lasted three years.

And Gabriel was looking even better!

His naturally red hair had finally grown to his shoulders, half pulled into a ponytail to highlight his striking greenish-gray eyes. He used to wear thick, black-framed glasses back in college, but thank goodness, he ditched those.

We'd just finished dinner, and I was walking him to the nearest bus stop before heading to the club. It had been almost two weeks, and Lax finally reached out to check on me.

Even though I'd been seeing Henerson every night, that alone wouldn't put food on the table, so I had to go back to work. I heard that hosts don't have set shifts, especially if they don't have clients yet, so maybe it would be okay.

Yes, I'm still taking that into consideration.

"Please return Hope to me!" Gabriel suddenly shouted to the sky, drawing stares from bystanders. I smacked his shoulder, and he pouted at me before we both burst into laughter.

I missed this guy.

"What's going on, really?" he asked, as I linked arms with him while we waited for his bus. Sorry my dear friend, it's too complicated to share.

"Would you lend me some money?" I batted my lashes instead and he smiled.

"Nope!" he shook his head quickly, keeping his gaze forward, while I studied my cute friend from the side.

The breakup had only made him even more attractive. I thought to myself, just as his eyes went wide with a hint of fear.

Oh...

"Why are you here again?"

I followed Gab's gaze and met Peter's cold, brown eyes. Gab immediately hid behind me as Peter, dressed all in black with his hands in his pockets, loomed over us. His tattoos were all visible too.

Why was he here? I wasn't even close to the club yet. Was he following me?

"It doesn't concern you—"

"H-Hope..." Gab shrank further behind me under Peter's glare.

"Peter!" I exclaimed, incredulous, and he rolled his eyes. "Stop scaring my friend, would you?"

"I'm not doing anything," Peter said, frowning as he moved aside, giving us space. "Why are you here? Thought you resigned."

"I'm just on a break," I replied, amused at how Gab maneuvered to the other side, away from Peter. "Don't worry, Gab. He won't hurt you." I held his hand, and he looked at me anxiously.