You... and Me - Tome 3 E-Book

Adams Emilia

• Herausgeber: So Romance - INT
• Kategorie: Krimi
• Serie: You… and Me
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 286

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

Who is sending these terrible red envelopes?

Adrian and Zoé are ready to spend their first Christmas together. Their love grows stronger with each passing day, and they're even considering taking the next step... But the mysterious sender of the red envelopes continues to pursue them. Who could it be? Why is he so determined to harass Adrian? Léa's unsettling silence troubles him. Adrian is torn between his desire to uncover the truth and the need to ensure his tigress's safety and happiness. But will they manage to escape this looming danger?

A third volume that's just as addictive, but that's no surprise coming from Emilia Adams! Once again, you'll experience a whole range of emotions thanks to Zoé's fiery spirit and Adrian's fearless nature.

WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING

"Personally, I simply loved it. The author's writing is incredibly light and fluid; you turn the pages without even realizing it, and in the end, you have a fantastic time!" - A Book Palace

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A mother of three, Emilia Adams is a huge fan of The Strokes. A dreamy young woman with a touch of madness, she loves to write and enjoy life with a good cappuccino or a pastry! After Hate me! That’s the game!, she begins a new saga at So Romance: You... and me.

Leseprobe

Cover

Title page

Chapter 1“J’pète les plombs”(Disiz La Peste)

Adrian

“Say Nothing”

“My Life is in Danger”

“Don’t Call the Police”

Fear compresses my lungs. I feel goosebumps spreading across my skin. What’s going to happen right now? Is that bastard going to kill me? Will he make me his punching bag? Am I going to make it out of this?

I swallow hard, feeling unsteady. My heart rate skyrockets. I’m not usually a coward, but at this moment, I fear the worst. I feel like I’m in the middle of a noir film. A hero ready to save a victim in peril, about to be shot by a lunatic. By a damn bourgeois jerk staring at me with a hostile eye, one hand shoved deep in the pocket of his expensive parka. What the hell is he holding in his hand? A gun? A knife?

Please tell me it’s just a phone!

I grip Léa’s wrist tightly, causing her to let out a painful whimper. I don’t care. She’s not leaving with this idiot. She needs to run, hide, seek shelter, far away from this malicious man who wants to make her life hell. “My life is in danger!” Damn it! Let him die! What’s his problem?

“Léa, come back here or I’ll take drastic measures,” Valens bellows in a deep voice, his gaze threatening.

I feel my heart pounding in my neck as he prepares to pull his hand from his pocket. How much time do I have left to live? A few minutes? A few seconds? Is this really the end? Am I going to die like this? Killed by some jerk who ruined my life by sleeping with the woman I was supposed to marry in my own bed? Damn it! I never thought I’d be in this situation.

I shout, casting a dark look at Valens:

“She’s not going anywhere with you, moron! Get out of my studio right now or I’ll call the police!”

He starts to snicker. Laughing like Arthur Fleck in “Joker.” Is he crazy? Drunk? High? Or is he a psychopath? Am I facing Joe Goldberg’s doppelgänger?

He strides toward us, standing tall with an aggressive glare. Damn it! He disgusts me with his hair slicked back with gel. He reminds me of a mobster. He just needs a mustache to look like John Dillinger.

Léa starts to sob. I turn my head toward her. She’s pale. It looks like she wants to say something, as she parts her lips. But no words come out. Her lips tremble as if she’s cold, making me feel like the room’s temperature has dropped below zero. The atmosphere is icy, and all I want is to escape this place and join Zoé so she can warm me in her arms.

“I didn’t ask you, brat! Léa is coming with me, and you have nothing to say about it.”

It’s my turn to snicker bitterly. Does he think I’m going to obey him? He doesn’t know me at all.

“What do you plan to do with her? Beat her like all the girls you’ve slept with?”

His wild eyes meet mine. I want to take him down, but I can’t let go of Léa. And she’s starting to annoy me by struggling, but I’m much stronger than she is.

I grip her wrist tightly. Why would she go back with this jerk when she came to ask me for help? No, now that she’s here, I’m going to make her spill the truth. And he won’t lay a finger on her again.

“What do you care? You don’t live with her anymore. Léa doesn’t belong to you. She’s with me now.”

I’m boiling. The urge to fight is creeping in, but I hesitate when he puts his hand back in his pocket. No, no, no! Damn it! What is he hiding in the pocket of his parka?

“Shut up or I’ll kill you,” he threatens, pulling out a gun.

Bile rises in my throat. I suspected he had a weapon. Damn it! What should I do? Let Léa fall into the clutches of this bastard or give up my life?

“Do what he says, Adrian,” Léa whimpers. “Let me go. It’ll be okay, don’t worry.”

I look at her, incredulous. As if I could believe that! It’s not going to be okay, Léa! But for God’s sake… what’s wrong with you, letting yourself be pushed around by this jerk?

I shake my head, tightening my grip on her wrist. She grimaces, tears streaming down her cheeks like a wild rain.

“You’re hurting me!”

Valens clears his throat loudly, startling me.

“She just told you to let her go! Do what she says!”

“What do you plan to do with that gun? Are you going to use it on Léa if I let her go?”

He gives me a sarcastic smile that I don’t hesitate to return. What an idiot!

“I’m only cruel to those who have ruined my life. Léa’s given me everything I want. Why would I want to get rid of her?”

He’s mocking me! Léa came to see me, and it wasn’t for me to offer her chocolates or flowers. It’s so I could protect her from him. She’s in danger, and I believe her now. I remember the time she tried to hide the bruise on her neck. I already had suspicions about this jerk.

Léa gives me a pleading look. I’ll regret it if I let her go with him. But should I give up my life when I don’t care about this girl anymore? The girl who cheated on me, and keeps messing with my head over this paternity issue? Damn it! I’m lost. I don’t know what to do. However, as soon as I glance toward the window, I feel luck coming my way. Alicia and Seb are heading toward the studio, illuminated only by the city lights in the darkness.

“What are you looking at?” Valens barks, turning abruptly.

He puts his gun away in the pocket of his parka as soon as he sees my friends approaching. Unintentionally, I loosen my grip on Léa’s wrist. It’s too late for me to pull her back. Valens grabs her arm roughly and whispers something in her ear.

“We’re leaving,” he shouts as he walks toward the exit.

Léa complies. Her legs buckle. She nearly falls as he drags her along. My heart pounds in my chest like violent hammer blows. I’m letting her slip away with this lunatic. But what can I do? She seems to have made her choice, and I don’t want to sacrifice myself while she decides her own fate.

He turns his head in my direction and declares sharply:

“Say one word and you’re dead, along with your friends’!

I’ve never felt so much hatred for someone. If only I could turn him to mush.

I open my mouth to protest, but that’s when Seb pushes the door open. He looks surprised to see Valens and Léa. He furrows his brow, fixing his gaze on me before letting them pass to exit. It’s over. Léa has left with this jerk, and personally, I no longer want to rescue her. I thought I was going to die, and now she clings to him like a leech. Honestly, she can go to hell!

“What were they doing here?” Seb asks, intrigued.

Should I tell him the truth? Damn it, No! I don’t want him to do anything to my friends. I have to be careful. Valens is a formidable guy, and I’m convinced he won’t hesitate to fulfill his wish. That is: to make us disappear. Damn it! I still can’t understand what he’s plotting.

“Uh… I don’t really know,” I say, slightly embarrassed.

I run my hands through my hair, completely nervous, and head toward the desk. I feel uncomfortable, and I don’t want Seb to see it, but he knows me too well. He approaches me and sighs dramatically.

“You really don’t know? Are you kidding me? Léa was crying like a baby. Don’t make me believe nothing happened,” he raises his voice. “She wasn’t crying because she chopped an onion. Tell me.”

Damn it! No! Don’t push it, Seb! I really can’t tell you anything!

Lying, or at least not revealing the whole truth, is my only solution to protect him.

“Yes… you’re right, Seb! She came to complain, but what can I do about it? You see she went back with that jerk!”

I spoke much louder than I intended. My cheeks are burning. I close my eyes for a few seconds to try to release this dark anger that’s eating me alive. When I open my eyes again, I still feel irritated, and Seb is looking at me with a frightened expression. Alicia, on the other hand, seems preoccupied with her backside. What is she doing inspecting herself like that?

“Well… you’re really in one of those moods!”

Calm down, for God’s sake!

“Sorry… you know how I am when it comes to them. And seeing that scumbag’s face…”

I leave my sentence hanging, fists clenched, jaw tight.

I need to get some fresh air and suffocate my lungs to relax, even though I know I should cut back on smoking. If I keep this up, I’m going to die from this crap.

“It’s time for me to go,” I say in a more phlegmatic tone. “Zoé will start to wonder. I should already be on the road. And by the way… what are you doing here? I thought you were going to the restaurant and the casino.”

“Uh… yeah. A little problem came up with Alicia.”

“A little problem?” I repeat, taken aback.

I watch Alicia turn beet red. And in a flash, she bolts upstairs, frantically tugging at the hem of her black puffer jacket to hide her backside.

I raise an eyebrow, fixing my gaze on Seb:

“Is she on her period at least?”

He bursts out laughing and heads toward the stairs as well.

“How did you guess?”

Oh, so it’s true!

I shrug and pull the keys to my car from the inner pocket of my leather jacket.

“I don’t know. Maybe I have hidden psychic powers.”

He chuckles as he climbs the stairs.

“Try to relax a bit, buddy. Have a good evening.”

Despite my gloomy mood, I manage to offer him a tiny smile. I wave goodbye before grabbing the doorknob.

“Have a good evening too. Enjoy yourselves.”

I shoot him a glance before stepping outside.

“Have a good evening.” Damn it! This is the most disastrous evening I’ve had so far. I almost got killed by a lunatic. I don’t know how I’m going to keep my cool and especially how I’m going to cope with all this in the coming days. I can’t say anything to my loved ones, but I can’t just sit back and do nothing. I’m going to have to start my own investigation, to uncover all the secrets Valens is hiding. I will find them out, one way or another. I can’t act like nothing happened. This man is unhealthy and dangerous. I will make sure he rots behind bars.

Scumbag!

The first thing I do when I leave the studio is light a cigarette. It’s freezing cold, but it’s not unpleasant since the air is dry. I walk slowly on the pavement that sparkles like silver glitter, trying to clear my mind. However, the image of Valens with his gun immediately resurfaces in my mind. Panic grips me again, creating a huge knot in my stomach.

Damn it! Get a grip, man! He’s not here anymore.

I glance right and then left. The street is deserted except for two cats meowing loudly, waving their tails as if they’re about to fight to the death. I walk past them and pull my phone from my leather pocket. The screen shows it’s already 7:15 PM. Zoé must be stressed. I should already be at her place by now.

I decide to call her. I go straight to her voicemail. Damn it! I hope she’s feeling better, that she’s no longer sick. Stupid stomach flu! She had taken refuge in the bathroom earlier in the afternoon, completely emptying her stomach. I felt sorry for her.

I toss my cigarette on the ground and crush it under my sneaker before getting into my car. I crank the heat up full blast, rub my hands together to warm them, and start the engine. Valens and Léa haunt my thoughts again as I drive down the street. They’re going to drive me crazy.

I think back to the first time I saw him. I knew we wouldn’t be friends. Dressed in an expensive beige suit, a bright red tie, slicked-back hair, a lifted face, gold jewelry. A wave of nausea washed over me just looking at that jerk. A jerk, who didn’t hesitate to put his hands on the behinds of all his female staff, trying get them to into his bed.

Léa had asked me to come to the agency to sign the papers for the lease of our future home shortly after she was hired. Valens had stared at me inappropriately as he ushered me into his office. With just one look, tension was already palpable between us. I hated the way he spoke to Léa, very close to her face, as if he was going to kiss her right in front of me. His pupils sparkled every time she spoke to him. Jerk! I wanted to smash his face in. When I told Léa about it, she immediately jumped to his defense, claiming he was a caring guy, attentive to his staff, and very nice. I let it go because I had enormous trust in her. But I should have been wary. This guy had managed to catch her in his web, and now I’m convinced she was cheating on me even before we moved in together. Why didn’t I notice anything? I must have lived a lie for two years with her.

I park my car a few minutes later in front of Zoé’s apartment. I’m eager to see her, to hold her in my arms and drown in her tenderness, to hear her angelic voice, to be enveloped by her fragrance. I need her.

I open the hall door and dash up the stairs. Slightly out of breath, I head into the living room, but there’s no one there.

“Zoé? Where are you?”

Silence reigns. The television is off, though it’s usually on. It seems strange to me.

A knot forms in my throat as I make my way determinedly to her bedroom. She’s lying face down on the mattress, holding a white piece of paper in one hand. Her nightgown is slightly hiked up, giving me a glimpse of her black lace panties, but I don’t linger on that. What frightens me is that she’s sobbing, her head tilted to one side. She doesn’t even seem to realize I’ve just entered her room, not even lifting her face.

“Zoé? Why are you crying?”

I approach her and grab the note from her hand. My heart skips a beat, and my insides twist painfully as I catch sight of the first words.

“I warned you. Your man is a PIG! Think about leaving him before he hurts you!”

“Damn it! What is this?” I shout, throwing it to the ground.

I flip Zoé over like a pancake. Her eyelids are closed. Her lashes are soaked with tears, her cheeks a rosy pink, and her lips tremble at a frantic pace.

“Who gave you this?” I bark like a madman.

I shake her by the shoulders to get her to react. Her eyelids flutter.

“Open your eyes!”

“Stop, Adrian! You’re going to make me vomit! I don’t feel well. I just fainted.”

A fainting spell? Damn it, I wasn’t even there when it happened!

A mix of sadness and anger colors her emerald green irises a dark hue.

“Leave me alone.”

What? But why?

She violently pushes my hands away and leaps to her feet. There she goes. Damn it! Who sent such a note? Who warned her? She never told me someone threatened her.

I bury a hand in my hair while kicking an imaginary object in front of me. I let out a few expletives and then leave the room as well. I find her in the living room, gazing out the window, arms crossed. I step toward her, but I take a step back upon discovering a photo on the couch. Damn it! What is this? I frown as I pick it up. I think I’m going to faint or maybe have a heart attack. I think I’ll need a defibrillator to recover from this.

I sit down, completely offended. I look closely at this photo. Damn it! That can’t be me. And this woman? Who is she? We can’t see her face. Just her naked body covered in a huge red mark on her neck.

I bitterly chuckle as I stand up and search around for a hidden camera. Of course, I’m not in a TV show. But where did this photo come from? Who did this?

I toss it into the air. I inhale and exhale slowly to try to calm myself. It’s not working. I think I’m going to lose it. I almost got killed, and now I discover a horror before my eyes. I’ve never done anything like this. It’s a doctored photo, a montage by some smartass who wants to ruin my life. Valens? Léa? But why would they do this? What have I ever done to them, for God’s sake? What’s surprising about this photo is that I look peaceful, eyes closed with a smile on my lips. Who could have photographed us? But damn it! No! Even drunk, I wouldn’t do something so abominable. I would never hurt a woman.

“Zoé… talk to me. I don’t like this silence.”

Instead of answering me, she lowers her head to the ground and runs to her bedroom. Oh, no, no, no, Zoé! Don’t do this to me.

I follow her. She just locked herself in.

“Open up, Zoé! Tell me where you got that damn photo! Who threatened you?”

I bang on the door like a madman, shouting her name over and over. My throat burns. What a stubborn little tigress! I know it’s pointless to insist. She won’t open up. She can’t possibly believe this ruse?

My fist crashes into the wall loudly. I grimace at the pain I just inflicted on myself.

“If that’s how it is… I’m out of here!”

Furious, I dash to the front door and slam it shut behind me. I don’t know where I’m going or what I’m going to do. The only refuge I see is to drown my anger in alcohol to forget. I have no other solution. She doesn’t want to talk to me. Fine, Zoé! Your silence hurts me and will awaken my old demons. It will all be your fault, not mine.

Chapter 2“T’en va pas”(Elsa)

Zoé

My heart does a somersault in my chest when the front door slams shut.

I spring to my feet, sprinting like a top athlete down the hallway, but it’s too late. Adrian is gone.

With a trembling hand, I open the door, race down five steps, and scan the hall. No one.

“Adrian! No, come back… Please, forgive me,” I say, my voice barely a whisper.

Panic grips my stomach. I’m angry with myself.

“Adrian…”

My face is drenched with tears. There’s nothing I can do now. I’ve just ruined everything.

I slam the door behind me and trot over to the living room window. His Audi isn’t parked in its usual spot in front of the building. But… where is he going? I’m scared. Scared he’ll do something reckless. Scared he’ll drown his anger in alcohol. Scared he’ll have an accident. The ground looks slippery. Cars are moving slowly down the street.

I curse under my breath as I grab my phone from the couch. I call him, turning back to the window. He doesn’t answer. Damn it! He’s not going to leave me, is he? No! I don’t want him to leave me. I don’t want to feel what I felt a few months ago. Adrian isn’t violent. I regret not responding to him, but I was lost and didn’t want to lash out. Sometimes I’m impulsive, and I know I might have said things I would regret. That’s why I stayed silent.

He’ll come back. Yes, I’m sure that in five minutes, he’ll be here, and we can talk calmly.

***

10:15 PM

I can’t take it anymore. I want his arms around me, to hold me, to kiss me, to comfort me, and above all, to tell me that it’s not him in that photo.

Minutes drag on in silence. I sit on the couch, burying my face behind my folded knees. And I cry. I’m exhausted, my eyes burn, my head feels heavy, and my stomach aches.

***

11:45 PM

I pace the living room, phone in hand. I want it to light up, to see his name flash on the screen. Nothing. I’m going to pull my hair out.

Once again, my eyes blur with tears. I struggle to catch my breath as I sob. He’s not coming back. Should I really think that it’s all over?

***

12:35 AM

A strange laugh echoes through the apartment. I open my eyes, my heart bouncing like a tennis ball in my chest.

I stagger as I rise from the couch. Adrian is in the hallway, a blissful smile on his face, his eyes bloodshot. He’s been drinking.

He stumbles toward me.

“Baby… I’m back!: he shouts, pulling a pack of cigarettes from his leather jacket.

Anger washes over me gradually. I approach him, shooting him a deadly glare, and snatch the cigarette from his mouth.

“Don’t smoke in my apartment! Why did you leave? Why were you drinking?”

I crush the cigarette between my fingers, turning it to ash and letting it fall on the floor.

“You’re driving me crazy, Adrian!”

I slap his arm several times, completely furious.

“Baby… stop… you’re crazy!”

“Crazy? You’re out of your mind! Have you seen the state you’re in?”

“I didn’t do anything.”

I roll my eyes to the ceiling before protesting:

“You’re infuriating! You’re not helping the situation. I’m sick as a dog, and I have to deal with your drunken attitude on top of that!”

“Well, it’s your pussy I’m going to stuff, darling.”

“That’s not funny, Adrian!”

What am I going to do with him? All I wanted was for him to hold me, reassure me, give me a little tenderness. But he’s ruined everything.

“Where were you?” I ask, frowning, hands on my hips.

He smirks. I sigh, weary and discouraged. What a terrible evening!

“Well, I went and had a drink. I was thirsty.”

“Yes… well, I can see you’ve had a drink. You could have answered my calls. I was worried.:

“Well… I can’t drink and text at the same time. It’s too complicated.”

He rolls his eyes as he tries to take off his jacket. I don’t know how many drinks he’s had, but I don’t like it. I sigh as he sways from side to side.

“Let me handle it. We’re not going to spend hours on this.”

I help him out of his jacket.

“Sorry, baby. I won’t do it again. Sorry… I love you. Please don’t leave me,” he whispers in a sultry voice.

He leans his face toward mine, but I pull back.

“You’re not going to leave, are you? Tell me you’re staying. I didn’t do anything.”

“It’s fine, Adrian. I understand. Come on… let’s go.”

I take his hand, lead him to the living room, and place his jacket on the armrest of the couch.

“Sit down… unless you need to throw up? If that’s the case, tell me now, because I’m not cleaning up your mess.”

He gives me a strange smile as he flops onto the couch.

“I don’t want to throw up, baby. I didn’t drink that much. I’m fine… that’s all.”

I sigh, which makes him pout.

“Are you going to punish me? You don’t want me to sleep with you?” he asks, running his fingers through his hair.

“I think it’s best if you sleep here. We’ll talk about all this tomorrow.”

He pats his thighs to signal me to come over. I shake my head.

“Goodnight, Adrian.”

“Damn it… no!”

He jumps up and grabs my wrist so tightly that I scream:

“You’re hurting me! Let go of me if you don’t want to get smacked!”

‘You wouldn’t do that, baby. You love to play with my…”

I cut him off by pressing my free hand against his lips.

“Shut up! You know I could do it.”

He pushes my hand away and brings his mouth closer to mine. His breath, a mix of alcohol and tobacco, makes me grimace.

“Sleep with me.”

“I told you no.”

“Well, I said yes.”

I glare at him as he tightens his grip on my wrist. I scream, struggle, but my weakness lets him win. He stumbles onto the couch, pulling me down with him. Collapsed on his dream body, I’m trapped. I have no strength left to fight. His head ends up nestled between my breasts.

“Oh, my heart… I’m so comfortable here. I want you. Hel[ me forget my terrible evening.”

He lifts his head, places his hands on my cheeks, but I push them away and stand up.

“That’s enough, Adrian. We need to figure out the mystery of the photo, and… I don’t have the strength to give you what you want. I’m tired, and my stomach is in knots.”

His gaze turns midnight blue. He’s angry, but there’s no way we’re going to blow up after everything that just happened.

He sits up straight and nervously taps his fingers on his thighs.

“Figure out the mystery of the photo?” he repeats sharply.

“Yes. I want to know…”

“You shouldn’t even be questioning it,” he cuts me off disdainfully. “You should trust me. You know I’m incapable of doing something like that!”

His nostrils flare. He stares at me, completely furious.

“Do you really think I’m that despicable?”

Tears threaten to spill. I tremble.

“Zoé… Tell me?”

I shake my head.

“No, Adrian… I know you’re not like that, but imagine my face when I discovered that photo.”

He lets out a sigh.

“I suspect you were shocked. It’s probably that dirty bastard Valens behind all this! He wants to ruin my life.”

But what is he talking about? I’m not sure it’s him. And why would he go after Adrian? No, I’m convinced it’s Vanessa. She told me word for word at the Halloween party what was written on the note I just received. But it could blow up in my face if I tell him now. He’ll be angry that I didn’t mention it that day.

“I don’t see why he would want to ruin your life. Listen… you should get some sleep. You’ll think more clearly tomorrow. It’s getting late, and I can barely stand.”

He squints and pinches the bridge of his nose. His chest rises and falls frantically as he breathes.

“I won’t be able to sleep without you here. Stay with me. Come on. I really don’t want us to fight.”

He opens his arms to me.

“Please,” he pleads, his gaze defeated. :I had a terrible evening, and you’re the only one who can calm me down. I need you.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“I almost died, Zoé. Damn it… you can’t know how scared I was.”

I take on an incredulous expression, stunned by what he just told me.

“We’ll talk about all this tomorrow. You need sleep too.”

“I swear it’s true,” he says, taking off his sneakers. “Come on… please. I want you close to me. I’ve missed you.”

He unbuttons his black shirt and throws it on the floor. I hesitate for a moment, but when he lies down, looking at me intently, I melt. Adrian has an utterly disarming charm. My bad boy makes me tingle from head to toe. I must admit that I also need to snuggle against him and find serenity in my body.

“You win. You’re so annoying!”

My words make him laugh.

I give in, defeated, and join him, leaning my back against his chest. He immediately wraps me in his intoxicating warmth, kissing my hair. This whole photo business had to have been made up. I know Adrian better than anyone. Vanessa is jealous, but it will all come crashing down on her one day. They say you reap what you sow. Everything eventually catches up with you. Yes… Vanessa will pay for this! Adrian did nothing; I know he’s sincere.

I close my eyes. My heart calms as he whispers:

“I love you, tigress. I will never hurt you. That was my promise, and I still mean it.”

Yes, I believe him. Why would he hurt me after all?

I whisper an “I love you” back to him and let myself drift off into the land of dreams… or nightmares.

Chapter 3“Violent Pornography”(System of a Down)

Adrian

“You say one word and you’re dead.”

“Go fuck yourself, you filthy scum! You’re the one who’s going to die!”

With a glare as dark as the abyss, I charge at Valens and slam my fist into his jaw. His head snaps back before he stumbles to the ground. He’s going to die, die, die. Go straight to hell, you filthy bastard!

He hurls the worst insults at me as he tries to get back up. I let out a bitter laugh as I lower myself down for another round. He better not think he’s getting off that easily.

Without waiting a second, I grab his throat and squeeze tightly. So tightly that his forehead vein bulges.

“You ruined my life; now it’s my turn to ruin yours,” I say coldly before spitting in his face.

Jaw clenched, I rain punches down on his chest without releasing his throat. I’m taking my time with him, just as he deserves. He won’t hurt anyone again. This is his journey to hell. I’ve dreamt of this often. And today is his day. He will disappear forever.

I hit him again and again, but suddenly, a sound echoes.

Bangbang…

I stiffen.

Bang bang…

I’m out of strength. I tremble. I suffer. Valens plunges his victorious gaze into mine. Blood. I’m going to faint. It’s everywhere on my hands, my shirt, on the floor. I’m emptying out. He shot me, that idiot.

Bang bang…

I plunge into darkness. I am dead.

“Adrian! Wake up!”

I open my eyes wide, my heart racing. All my limbs start to tremble. I’m hot, and sweat beads on my forehead.

“Adrian…”

That voice. It’s Zoé. My Zoé, my tigress. What is she doing straddling me? Why does she look at me, panicked? What happened? Am I not dead?

“I… I… Where am I?” I ask, lost.

I blink. It takes me a few seconds to return to reality. It’s still dark, but I can see what’s happening around me because the kitchen light is on.

I pat my chest and then look at the palms of my hands. There’s no blood. I’m alive. I had a nightmare. Damn it! I thought it was real.

“You’re with me, in the living room,” she whispers, her voice trembling.

Damn! What a panic! I saw myself dead, far from my tigress, unable to hold her in my arms again. This isn’t my first nightmare, but this one will stick with me for a while.

“Come here.”

I stretch out my arms. She lies down next to me, resting her head in the crook of my neck, then slowly caresses my cheek with her fingertips.

“I want you to stay next to me all night,” Zoé.

I rub her arm up and down while kissing her scalp fiercely. I inhale her scent to calm myself further. It feels good. I really thought I would never see her again. Damn Valens. Even at night, he haunts me.

“You scared me,” she murmurs. “What did you dream about?”

“About Valens. He killed me.”

“Oh! My God!”

Her heart beats as wildly as mine.

“I’m fine. I’m here. Go back to sleep. I just had a nightmare.”

A nightmare. For God’s sake! Last night everything felt so real, and it could have actually happened to me.

I kiss her forehead and wait. I wait to fall back asleep, but the night will be short. A new nightmare will surely come to disturb me. Why is all this happening to me all of a sudden?

***

My head feels like a watermelon, heavy and painfully throbbing. Yet, I didn’t even drink that much last night. When I left the apartment, I went to the Hard Rock Café and downed four vodkas. I remember everything: Valens, the note, the photograph, and Zoé looking lost. By the way, where is she? The living room is silent.

I slowly sit up. Wow! I need to take some painkillers. I feel groggy, my stomach is a mess. Today is going to be tough. I literally didn’t close my eyes all night because I kept seeing that damn image in front of me. Valens with his gun. I think he’s going to occupy my thoughts for a long time.

I bend down to pick up my shirt, then push myself up to get off the couch. I put it on while heading towards her bedroom. Stitch is curled up on her bed, but Zoé isn’t here. She’s probably in the bathroom.

“Zoé? Are you there?” I ask as I venture in.

She opens the shower door as soon as I enter. It’s very hot. Zoé has a habit of taking scalding showers.

“Would you hand me a towel, please?”

I grab one that’s on the washing machine and hand it to her. She looks tired.

“You’re already up?” she asks, wrapping her hair in the towel. “I didn’t want to wake you.”

“You didn’t wake me. What time is it?”

I give her a second towel.

“Early. It must be barely eight o’clock.”

Oh God! I should be getting ready for work.

“I need to call Seb.”