AMARA'S POV
Gunshot echoes.
Gabriel tackles me behind a car. More shots. Hitting pavement. Not us.
Warning shots.
Stay down! His body covers mine.
Shooting stops. Silence.
They're gone, Gabriel says. They weren't trying to kill us. Deliberate misses.
Someone's warning us.
Gabriel calls security. Someone shot at us. Get footage.
We should postpone the marriage, I say.
No. Whoever's doing this wants us scared. You're moving into my place tonight. Security. Guards. You'll be protected.
Tonight? I haven't packed
We go now. You're not going home alone.
We drive to my apartment. I pack three suitcases. Everything I own.
His penthouse is luxury. Huge. Impersonal.
Your room. He shows me a bedroom bigger than my apartment.
This is... a lot.
My room's at the other end. We'll figure this out.
He leaves me to unpack.
My phone buzzes. Unknown number: Smart move staying together. But it won't save you. -A Friend
I show Gabriel later.
Block it, he says. I won't let anyone hurt you.
Evening. Gabriel brings wine. To surviving the next year together.
We drink.
USCIS interview is in two weeks. We need to learn each other's details. Make this look real.
Right. Business.
He doesn't leave. Just looks at me. You look different here. Less guarded.
Gabriel
Goodnight, Amara. He leaves quickly.
I can't sleep. At 2 AM, I find Gabriel in the kitchen. Drinking whiskey in the dark.
Can't sleep either?
We sit in silence. His phone buzzes. He goes pale.
Shows me: Sleep tight, newlyweds. I'm watching. Sweet dreams in that big bed, Amara. -A Friend
They can see inside? I whisper.
Gabriel grabs my arm. We close all blinds. Now.
We rush through the penthouse. Closing curtains. Shutting out whoever's watching.
You're not sleeping alone tonight, Gabriel says. That bedroom has exposed windows. You sleep in my room. I'll take the couch.
The bed is huge. We can share. Like adults. We'll have to convince immigration we share a bed anyway.
Gabriel looks torn. This is a terrible idea.
All of this is terrible. But here we are.
He nods. Hands me a t-shirt to sleep in.
I change in his bathroom. His shirt smells like him.
We climb into bed. Miles apart. Facing away.
Goodnight, I whisper.
Goodnight.
Silence. I hear him breathing.
Amara?
Yeah?
Maybe we're saving each other.
Sleep comes. Restless.
When I wake, sun streams through curtains.
Gabriel's arm is wrapped around me.
We're tangled together in the middle of the bed.
I freeze. Don't want this moment to end.
His breathing is soft. Peaceful.
I should move.
But I don't.
For just a few minutes, I pretend this is real.
That Gabriel Stone actually wants me.
His alarm goes off. He jerks awake. Realizes where his arm is.
Sorry! He pulls away fast. I didn't mean
It's fine. We were asleep.
Right. Asleep. He runs a hand through his hair. I'll make coffee.
He practically runs from the room.
I lie there alone. Heart pounding.
This year is going to be torture.