Chapter 53

I fumble in my bag until I find my cell, but there’s no signal down here. And that’s it. The last thing I need. The final straw.

I can’t fight anymore. I can’t hold it in.

Tears start to flow—then I hear tires screech and a car door slam.

I don’t lift my head. I don’t care who sees me. I just want to vent. I just have to cry. I just have to survive this, though I’m not sure how.

My door opens and his hand finds my arm.

He pulls me out of the car and cups my face.

“Open your eyes,” he says. “Damn it, Gabriela, open your eyes.”

“Marcus.”

A frantic look flashes in his gaze, his brows furrowed with concern.

“You came,” I say, stupidly. “You’re here.”

“Of course,” he answers, pulling me into a tight hug. “You need me. Where else would I be?”

“How did you know?” I’m still in awe that he’s here and insanely grateful for his arms around me.

“Cass,” he says. “She saw the photos and when you didn’t answer, she called me.”