CHAPTER 3

Angelina POV

"Angelina, wake up. You'll be late!"

I groaned in my sleep when my mother called me from downstairs. Ignoring her, I pulled the pillow over my ears to mute out the noise.

She called my name twice more before finally screaming, "Angelina Patrick! If you don't get your ass down here, I'll personally come up and pull you by your ears!"

My eyes shot open. When my mother used my full name, it meant she was done playing nice and was about to turn into the dangerous mom.

Letting out an irritated groan, I dragged myself out of bed and headed straight for the shower. After a quick wash, I threw on a simple white dress and headed downstairs. I always preferred simple outfits. I didn't have a glamorous figure to show off, so I rarely overthought what I wore.

I checked my reflection in the hallway mirror and smiled. It did look good on me. After applying a hint of makeup, I finally made it to the kitchen.

The sweet aroma of pancakes hit me instantly, and my stomach gave a loud, hungry growl.

"Good morning, Mom!" I greeted her, pressing a kiss to her cheek before sitting down at the table.

"Good morning, honey," she smiled. "Lexi will be here soon. I won't be able to pick you up later, so don't forget to ask her for a ride home."

"Actually, Mom, I'll be late tonight anyway. Mr. Peterson needs me to stay and cover a shift because Linda called out, and they have some sort of private party booked at the café."

She thought about it for a moment and nodded. "Okay. Just don't be too late," she reminded me.

I smiled and quickly finished my breakfast. Just as I took my last bite, my phone buzzed with a text from Lexi.

I'm here.

"Lexi's outside. I've got to go. Bye, love you!"

"Bye, honey. Stay safe!"

I closed the front door behind me and grinned as I walked toward my best friend's car. She looked as amazing as ever.

"Good morning," I greeted as I slid into the passenger seat.

She didn't answer. Instead, she was staring intently out the window at the opposite side of the street. I waved a hand in front of her face to snap her out of it. She blinked, startling slightly before offering a tight smile. "Hey, Angelina. You ready?"

"Yeah, I am. But what's wrong with you? You look worried."

"Look over there," she said, pointing toward the sidewalk. "Isn't that the car you were talking about yesterday?"

My face paled.

It was. The exact same black car I had seen at the mall, parked perfectly still across the street. My heart immediately picked up its pace, and I forced myself to look away.

"Forget about it, Lexi. It might just be a similar car," I lied.

She nodded slowly and put the car in drive.

I tried to calm my racing nerves during the ride to school, but my mind wouldn't let it go. I kept glancing at the side mirrors, checking to see if the car was following us. The feeling of being stalked was making me physically nauseous. I had never liked attention. I was the silent, reserved girl who wanted to run for the hills if too many people looked at her. I just hoped that whoever was behind that tinted glass would soon realize how incredibly boring my life was and leave me alone.

"We've been parked for five minutes, and you're still sitting here staring into space like the world is ending," Lexi said, rolling her eyes.

I blinked, realizing we were already at school and she was waiting for me to get out. "Sorry, I just zoned out," I mumbled apologetically.

"Angel, if something is bothering you, I'm here for you. You know that, right?" she asked, her tone softening with concern.

I forced a smile. "Yeah, babe. I know. But really, nothing's wrong. Thank you."

We got out and headed toward our morning classes. The day dragged on normally until it was time for my final class of the day, which happened to be my favorite.

Music.

I loved playing the guitar. It cleared my head and helped me tune out the stress of the real world for a little while.

When I walked into the classroom, almost all the seats were taken. The only vacant chair was right next to...

Oh, shit.

Thomas.

I had harbored a massive crush on Thomas since the beginning of high school. He had striking blue eyes and a dazzling smile that made half the girls in our grade drool over him. Including me, obviously. But I had never made a move, and outside of Lexi, nobody knew how I felt.

As the teacher walked to the front of the room, I hurried over and slipped into the empty seat beside him. He was busy texting someone and didn't even look up. I awkwardly cleared my throat and offered a small smile when he finally glanced in my direction. He just gave a brief nod and went right back to typing.

Did he just dismiss me?

"Class, today we aren't learning any new sheet music," the teacher announced. "Instead, I want you to try finding a new tune yourselves. Close your eyes, and let your mind and your heart guide your hands."

I followed her instructions, shutting my eyes and resting my fingers on the strings, waiting for inspiration. But almost instantly, the image of that sleek black car flashed behind my eyelids. It was terrifying, yet somehow... weirdly magnetic. Was I just morbidly curious about who was watching me? The thought sent a strange, forbidden thrill through my chest.

The teacher was right about one thing, though. Letting my mind wander as I played brought a sense of deep calm.

When I finally opened my eyes, I nearly jumped. Thomas was staring at me, his gaze intense.

A heavy blush rushed to my cheeks.

"Hey," he whispered, smiling softly. "Sorry if I'm making you uncomfortable, but you were playing flawlessly. It was so peaceful. I couldn't stop listening."

I blushed ten times harder.

"Uh—thanks. I just followed my heart."

He gave me a breathtaking smile and didn't look away.

Fortunately—or unfortunately—the bell rang, shattering the moment. I practically sprinted out of the classroom. I needed fresh air before I literally died of embarrassment.

I was standing near the curb, waiting for a cab, when I felt a light tap on my shoulder. I turned around and froze. Thomas was standing there, still smiling.

I blushed again.

Stop blushing, Angel, he's just standing there, I scolded myself internally.

"Yeah?" I asked, trying desperately not to sound breathless.

"You forgot this," he said, handing me my notebook.

"Oh. Thanks." I took it and shoved it into my bag. He just stood there, shifting his weight, clearly wanting to say something else. I raised an eyebrow, waiting.

"Well, Angelina, I was wondering..." he started, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "You know I missed a couple of classes recently. I was hoping maybe you could help me catch up? We could grab coffee today and then head back to my place to go over the notes."

I was stunned.

Did Thomas just ask me out?

Before I could even process what was happening, a young boy suddenly ran up to me and shoved a folded piece of paper into my hand. I looked down at the note, then back at the kid. "Who gave this to you?" I asked, completely confused.

The child just shook his head and sprinted away.

Frowning, I unfolded the paper.

You have thirty seconds to tell that prick to fuck off. Because if you don't, I will do it for you, and he will severely regret it. Now be a good girl and tell him to get lost. Okay, love?

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly bone dry. My heart hammered violently against my ribs, and my palms began to sweat. I spun around, frantically scanning the street and the crowds of students, but there was no one obvious. Whoever wrote this was hiding, watching my every move.

"Is everything okay, Angelina?" Thomas asked, stepping closer.

"Yeah. Everything is fine," I rushed out, taking a step back. "I'm sorry, Thomas, but I don't have time today. I have to work. But I'll make it up to you! How about I come over tomorrow to help you catch up?"

"Whoa, slow down," he chuckled, holding his hands up. "It's fine, I didn't know you were busy. Tomorrow works perfectly. We can go grab—"

"Yes, yes, we'll go wherever you want. I really have to run now, bye!" I cut him off, spinning on my heel and practically fleeing down the sidewalk.

I hailed a cab and shouted my destination to the driver before slamming the door shut. I was beyond terrified. I had blown Thomas off just to prevent a violent scene on the street. The note had been painfully clear. The person watching me would absolutely hurt Thomas if I didn't get rid of him.

I stared down at the crumpled paper still clenched in my fist.

My love.

The words sent a sickening chill down my spine. The vague feeling of being stalked had morphed into a concrete, terrifying reality. This wasn't a prank by some bored high school boys. This was a threat from someone dangerous—someone who demanded total control. I shivered, resolving to show the note to Lexi first thing in the morning.

-

Mr. Peterson hadn't exaggerated. The café was packed that night. The private party was an anniversary celebration for an older couple, and even after decades together, they still looked deeply in love. I found myself smiling as I cleared tables, watching them steal tender glances at each other. I had never seen that kind of love growing up. It had always just been my mom, Alex, and me. I silently hoped that one day, when I got married, my husband would look at me exactly like that. I wanted to grow old in the arms of someone who truly loved me.

My shift ended much later than I had anticipated. After saying goodbye to the remaining staff, I walked out the back door and reached for my keys before freezing.

Oh, crap.

Lexi had driven me to school this morning. I didn't have my car.

Not wasting any time, I pulled out my phone and quickly booked a cab. I stood under the flickering amber glow of a streetlamp, waiting. A few yards away, two men were leaning against a brick wall. I wouldn't have noticed them, except their eyes were fixed directly on me.

I tried to ignore their heavy stares, keeping my eyes glued to my phone screen. But after a couple of agonizing minutes, the cab still hadn't arrived. I glanced up, and the men were still staring, their expressions dark and predatory.

A cold spike of fear shot through my veins. I turned on my heel and started walking briskly in the opposite direction. When I reached the corner, I risked a glance over my shoulder.

My eyes widened. They were following me.

Panic seized my chest, and I began walking faster, my flats slapping against the pavement. It was past eleven, and this part of the city was practically deserted. I glanced back again and let out a choked gasp.

Three more men had joined them.

By the end of the block, my fast walk had turned into a desperate sprint. I tore down the sidewalk, aiming for a brightly lit intersection ahead. But just as I went to round the corner, a large, rough hand clamped tightly over my mouth.

I was violently jerked backward, dragged into the suffocating darkness of a narrow alleyway. I kicked and thrashed wildly in the man's grip, my eyes wide with sheer terror. The man spun me around, and my breath hitched. It was one of the men who had been staring at me.

My life was actually in danger.

They were going to kidnap me. Or assault me. Or kill me.

Oh God, I'm going to die here.

Adrenaline surged, and I did the only thing I could think of. I ripped his hand away and let out a bloodcurdling scream.

Before the sound could even echo down the alley, the man backhanded me across the face. The sheer force of the blow sent me flying backward, my head slamming hard against the asphalt. I groaned, the metallic taste of blood instantly flooding my mouth.

The man stormed over, grabbing a fistful of my hair and hauling me upward until I was forced to look at his ugly, sneering face.

"You stupid bitch," he snarled, making me whimper in pain. "How dare you scream?"

He smiled wickedly, his breath rancid. "The job was just to grab you and hand you over. But now..." He glanced back at the others. "Because of your little stunt, I think we'll add some fun to this trip."

The other men laughed darkly, stepping deeper into the alley.

The man holding my hair laughed with them, then jerked my head back and smashed his mouth forcefully against mine. Disgust ripped through me, and bile rose hot in my throat. I thrashed wildly, but another man stepped forward, grabbing my arms and slamming my back against the brick wall. I was pinned. Paralyzed.

When I brought my knee up to kick out, one of them drove a fist hard into my stomach. All the air left my lungs in a sickening rush. I coughed, sputtering blood as I sobbed in agony. A heavy boot kicked my legs out from under me, and I collapsed back onto the dirty ground. The pain was blinding. I couldn't breathe. It felt like the absolute end.

The man who had kissed me stood over me, moonlight glinting off the metal in his hand. A switchblade.

My eyes widened in pure horror. It's over.

"My, my," he mocked, clicking his tongue. "Such a shame to see a pretty little thing lying in the dirt, covered in bruises." He shook his head in mock pity. "Where's your dear savior now? Isn't he going to swoop in and rescue his girl?"

He laughed, a cruel, hateful sound, and knelt beside me. He grabbed my wrist, pinning it to the ground, and pressed the tip of the knife against the collar of my dress. He dragged the blade down, tearing the fabric and slicing a shallow, burning line into my skin. I screamed, the sound tearing at my raw throat.

BANG.

The gunshot was deafening.

The man above me froze instantly. The knife remained embedded in my dress, a fresh line of blood oozing from the cut on my chest. A second later, one of the men standing near the mouth of the alley dropped dead to the ground with a heavy thud.

"You have five seconds to step away from her, or I will chop your fucking hands off."

The voice boomed out of the darkness—deep, lethal, and vibrating with rage.

I blinked through my tears, trying to focus on the shadows, but my body felt heavy and useless. The man holding the knife dropped it, scrambling backward before lunging toward the darkness. His friends instantly followed, rushing the unseen shooter.

I tried to force my body to move. I needed to stand up. I needed to run. But the pain radiating through my ribs and stomach was too intense. The metallic taste of blood choked me. I curled in on myself, letting out soft, broken groans against the pavement.

Through my blurred peripheral vision, I saw three more figures emerge from the darkness, violently clashing with my attackers.

I kept crying silently, feeling the last traces of adrenaline draining from my veins. The sounds of breaking bone and sickening thuds echoed around me. Suddenly, someone rushed to my side, dropping heavily to his knees.

A weak sob slipped past my lips, and my eyelids fluttered, desperately trying to shut.

"Angelina!" the man exclaimed, his voice laced with pure panic. "Shit. Hey, stay awake, love. Look at me."

How did he know my name? And why did he sound so terrified?

I tried to focus on his voice, tried to force my eyes to stay open, but I just couldn't. I couldn't even make out the lines of his face in the dark. My limbs felt like lead, and the world was spinning away from me.

He scooped me up effortlessly, holding me securely against a hard, warm chest as he started to run. He was saying something, his deep voice rumbling against my ear, but the words were completely muffled. My vision went black.

The last thing I heard before slipping completely into unconsciousness was a ragged whisper.

"Don't worry... I won't let anything happen to you. My Angel."