Chapter 48

“Gabriela!”

It’s Marcus’s voice.

I sit upright, heart pounding, not sure if I’m still trapped in the nightmare.

“Gabriela!” he repeats, and a thump punctuates my name.

“My door!” He’s at my door.

I throw off the blanket and run to the front door. I undo the bolts hastily and yank it open.

There he is, pants wrinkled and disheveled. The wound on his cheek, which was healing so well, has reopened; it’s red, raw, and swollen. And though it doesn’t look broken, his nose is smeared with dried blood.

“Come in,” I say, holding out my hand.

He takes it and, as soon as he’s inside my apartment, he pulls me into his arms, tilting his head to rest his face in my hair. I cling to him, so overcome with relief I fear I’ll faint if he lets go, loosening only when I hear him gasp for air.

I step back and take my time examining him.

“You’re hurt.”

“Trust me,” he replies. “Now I’m much less so.”

I shudder but don’t say anything.