Chapter 3 A Dangerous Crush

Linda's POV

"You would better avoid him."

As I made my way back to the library, Tasha's caution reverberated in my ears. I didn't answer. It was because I didn't want to lie, not because I had nothing to say. I was unable to go. Not right now.

Despite my intellect screaming for distance, my heart dragged me closer to Jackson Kane, who had drawn me into something more than I could have imagined.

Perhaps it was the way he gazed at me, like if I were important. As if I were more than a little girl from a little town who lived with her grandmother and wore hand-me-down clothes.

Perhaps it was the way he gave the impression that anything was possible.

Or it may have been something else.

Something more hazardous.

The air in the rear chamber of the library usually smelled like aged wood and coffee. Seated like a monarch without a throne but possessing everything in sight, he was already waiting.

"Linda," he murmured. "You seem worn out."

"I'm all right."

He cocked his head. "You didn't pick up when I called."

I took a seat. "I got a message. from a female. She made statements.

For a moment, his jaw tensed. "You need not to pay attention to rumors. Particularly when it originates from those who want to harm you.

"Who was she?"

"No one significant."

I didn't think he was real. However, I didn't leave either.

And I was more afraid of it than anything else.

That day, he handed me a present. A little velvet box. It included a slender, silver necklace with a little diamond set in the form of a heart.

"I'm unable to handle this."

"You've already done so," he smirked.

I couldn't breathe once he secured it around my neck. My whole body clenched as his fingertips touched the back of my neck, as if a spark had suddenly ignited a fire I was unaware was there.

"You shouldn't make me feel this way," I muttered, scarcely hearing myself.

He dropped his voice. "How do I affect your feelings?"

I was unable to speak it out.

However, he was aware.

And it was sufficient.

Days went by.

Jackson and I had lengthy conversations throughout our classes. Our conversations became gentle touches. When he wasn't there, I found myself searching for him, missing him in the quiet, and mentally repeating his voice over and over again like a favorite tune.

Did love feel like this?

It isn't possible.

It was too jagged. Too fast. Too frightening.

I fell, however.

even though I knew better.

Even after school, Tasha cornered me with wild eyes.

"He is teasing you."

"You've never met him."

"I know how guys like him move. Linda, they take. They don't provide.

I withdrew.

She was unable to comprehend.

Nobody did.

I felt seen by Adrian. As if I were capable of becoming more than this limited existence.

And maybe he also needed me.

There was no strategy for the first kiss.

We had just completed reviewing a few novels. I let my pen fall. He stooped to retrieve it. Our faces were in close proximity. Too near.

Then it took place.

Gentle.

Slow.

False.

Excellent.

When it was over, I trembled.

"I apologize," I murmured.

He wasn't.

My face was clasped by him. "You are unique."

More than anything else, I wanted to believe that.

So I did.

I began to tell more lies.

To Grandma. To Tasha. To me.

I informed them of my late work schedule. studying. assisting the librarian.

However, the reality was straightforward.

I was falling for a guy that was out of my reach. A guy who ought not to have given me that look. A guy who didn't need to use his hands to shatter me.

I began to fantasize about his world, complete with pricey outfits, city lights, crystal-glass meals, and soft music.

He assured me that he could offer it everything to me.

Saying yes was all I needed to do.

I agreed when he urged, "Come away with me this weekend," while reaching for my hand one day.

despite the fact that I had tests.

despite the fact that I had school.

despite the fact that my heart was pounding.

I gave a nod.

I crossed the border in an instant.

In one of his black vehicles, we drove out of town.

I kept it a secret.

Not even Tasha.

We traversed miles of open road and woodland. I wondered whether I would ever be the same girl again as I watched the world beyond the window blur.

We arrived to a lake home.

There was silence. Lovely. costly.

No employees were present. Only the two of us.

He prepared wine and noodles for supper. I was too young to consume alcohol.

I had a floating sensation.

Right up till midnight.

I heard someone knock on the door.

Jackson stiffened.

He hurried away, leaving me alone in the candlelit room as he entered the corridor.

I did the same.

However, he had already arrived to the door and was just slightly opening it.

We have a problem," a voice I didn't know remarked. She is aware.

Jackson's response was low and incisive. "Take care of it. Right now.

He shut the door after that.

I was standing there when he turned.

He lowered his voice once more and murmured, "Eliana." "Go to sleep."

I remained still.

His eyes had transformed in some way.

Or maybe I had just chosen not to perceive it, even if it had always there.

I had trouble sleeping that night.

I gazed at the chain around my neck as perched on the side of the guest bed.

Who was the female voicemail leaveer?

What was it she knew?

What precisely had I entered?

With trembling hands, I grabbed my phone and attempted to contact Tasha.

No signal.

Naturally.

Then I heard it.

beyond the window.

A murmur.

A step.

I approached the curtain and took a quick look through the window.

My heart froze at what I saw.

Rain-soaked, a lady stood in the dark, gazing directly at the home.

at me.

Something was in her hand.

An image.

My photo.

She gestured at the photo before I could yell. and swiped her finger over her neck after that.

My throat tightened each breath.

The lady didn't flinch. She just stood there with her arm up, her finger running over her neck like a silent warning, her wet hair sticking to her cheeks.

I staggered over the side of the bed and retreated from the window. My phone fell out of my grasp and thumped softly on the ground. The screen remained black as I fumbled for it; no signal, no assistance.

I felt like screaming. However, nothing was revealed.

Down the corridor came the sound of footsteps.

I became cold.

Jackson?

I wanted him to be unaware that I had seen her. Not quite yet. Not until I discovered what was happening. With the door just open enough for me to see, I crept inside the closet and held my breath.

Standing near the window, he entered the room. He didn't seem shocked to see her. He even gave her a single nod, as if he recognized her.

Then he held out a hand. and pointed straight toward the closet.

at me.

With my back against the wall and my heart thumping like thunder, I gasped and wrenched the door shut.

What was going on?

Why did I feel that I was a part of an unknowable plan?

The door opened with a squeak.

It wasn't Adrian, however.

The lady was the one.

Her eyes were red from weeping or something, and she was staring down at me with water flowing from her clothing.

She displayed the photo.

"He did the same to me," he muttered.

She then gave me another item.

A test for pregnancy.

Good.

Stunned, I gazed at her.

She remained silent.

She just turned and vanished like smoke through the open window.

Jackson came in a minute later with a syringe in his hand, his expression composed and his voice as icy as ice: "You weren't meant to know." However, now... There is nothing I can do.