Chapter 18%
C
Gabriella’s POV
Zander had refused to leave my side for days. He always slept over in a guest room. It was getting harder for me to ignore my feelings for him.
He claimed that if Thomas had been able to trace me to his house, then he could also trace me to my house. So he needed to keep me safe.
“These muscles are not for show, Gabe. Time to put them in action.” He said with a smirk, flexing his large biceps.
I flushed, trying to hide the fact that I was staring too much.
Zander mistook my reaction for amusement and raised his brows. “Impressed?“}
I rolled my eyes. “You’re ridiculous.”>
“Ridiculously strong? Ridiculously handsome?” He smirked.”
“Ridiculously annoying,” I corrected, but the corner of my lips twitched.
He chuckled heartily.”
For a moment, the tension I had been feeling melted. Zander had a way of making everything seem better.}
“Come to the mall with me,” he said suddenly.
I blinked. “What?”
“The mall. You know, that place where people shop, eat, and do normal human things?” He leaned forward. “We need a change of scenery.”
I shook my head. “No, thanks.“}
Zander’s brows lifted, he looked confused and surprised. “No? You never say no to the mall.”}
I sighed, looking away. Things have changed, I wanted to say.
“You never wanted to go before.” I said instead.
He shrugged casually. “I still don’t like it, but I’m looking for things to cheer you up.“}
That made my chest tighten. He was trying.
I hesitated then I sighed. “Fine.”)
His face lit up. “Great, now go get dressed before I change my mind.“}
I snorted. “Please change your mind.“}
He scoffed. “In your dreams. Go get dressed, now.“}]
Zander had been in an annoyingly good mood since we arrived at the mall. He dragged me from one store to another, making jokes, and trying his best to cheer me up.
Everything was going so well, until I saw Ginny chatting with Zander.
I watched as she leaned very close to Zander, laughing at something he said. And worse, he was laughing back.”
I didn’t know that Zander and Ginny were so close. It explained why she was threatening me. If only she knew that she had nothing to be worried about.D
I clenched my jaw. It wasn’t like I cared. Not really.
When I finally walked up to them, Zander turned to me with a grin, completely oblivious to the irritation building in me. “There you are. I was just saying hi to Ginny.”
Ginny’s eyes glinted as she gave me a polite and insincere smile. “It’s nice to see you, Gabriella.”}
I didn’t even bother to fake a smile. “Yeah.“}
Zander, still clueless, turned back to her, grinning. “We will continue this conversation later.“}
I didn’t allow myself to react. Instead, I grabbed his wrist and pulled him away. “Come on, we have places to be.“>
He let me pull him, looking confused. “In a hurry?“}
I ignored him. When I stopped outside a bookstore, he frowned. “Why are we here?“}
“I need to grab something,” I said, walking toward the entrance.”
“I’ll come with you.” He replied.”
I stopped, still irritated. “I can go in alone, Zander.“}
He crossed his arms. “Why?“>
“Because I don’t need a bodyguard to buy a book.” I retorted.
Zander rolled his eyes. “You don’t know who could be watching.“>
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I exhaled sharply. “Not everything is a damn mission, Zander. It’s a bookstore.“}
“That doesn’t mean it’s safe,” he argued.
My patience snapped. “I know you’re trying to protect me, but I don’t need you following me around like a shadow. I can handle myself.“S Zander clenched his jaw. I didn’t wait for a response. I stormed into the bookstore fuming.
I didn’t look back as I walked in. I didn’t care if Zander followed me or not.
I still felt very annoyed, but I wasn’t sure if it was because of our argument or because of the way he had been laughing with Ginny. It wasn’t a big deal. It shouldn’t be.
My thoughts kept flashing back to the way Zander had smiled at her, and the way she leaned in too close.}
I clenched my jaw. I wasn’t jealous. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself.”
I sighed heavily, running a hand through my hair. I had been unfair. Zander was just trying to protect me, and I lashed out because I couldn’t handle my own emotions. I needed to apologize.}
I took a deep breath, and I turned my head back to him.
I froze, and my heart pounded in my chest.”
A man stood before me with dark eyes, and a cruel smirk on his face.”
He was pointing a gun directly at me. My stomach dropped.”
“Claire sends her greetings,” he said smoothly.”
I could hear a shout from behind me, just as the man pulled the trigger.”
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