Only With Me (With Me #2)(60)

       
         
       
        

My head pulled back. I wanted to ask her what she meant when she said she wasn't sure how much more she could take, but I let it go. She was probably overwhelmed by my family. "Let's go back to my place."

She smiled. "I have to work in the morning. I'm leaving the next day for Italy and there is so much to do before I go."

My gut cramped. Who was she talking to on the phone? "Are you looking forward to seeing anyone in particular when you go to Italy?"

Her body tensed. "Um . . . no. Why would you ask me that?"

Shrugging, I replied, "I don't know, just wondering if there was a family member or someone you were excited to see."

Gabi forced a smile. "No. It's been so long since I've been there."

I nodded. "Gabi, if there was something wrong, you'd tell me."

She swallowed hard. Her eyes searched mine and I could see she wanted to tell me.

"This trip is about letting go, Nic. There is something I need to take care of and it's . . . it's complicated."

I could easily ask her if it was Antonio she was letting go . . . but I couldn't do it. I didn't trust that she wouldn't put up a wall.

"Let's go back to your place so I can hold you in my arms tonight."

Her body relaxed and she smiled. "I think that sounds like an amazing plan."



Gabi stood at my truck and gave me a sweet smile. "I'll miss you."

A strange ache filled my chest.

"I'll miss you too," I said. All I really wanted to do was pull her into my arms and beg her to tell me what was going on.

Lifting my hand, I placed it on the side of her face. "I love you, Gabi."

Her eyes filled with tears as she covered my hand with hers. "I love you too."

She opened her mouth as if to say something else, but closed it.

There was no doubt in my mind, she was keeping something from me and I was hell bent on finding out what it was.

Why couldn't I just ask her? Because I was afraid of the truth.

What good would come of me following her to Italy? Nothing, and I knew that. It said I didn't trust her.

I forced out my next words. "I should probably head out."

She nodded. I hated lying to her about having to go to work.

Leaning down, I kissed her. It started off slow and sweet, but she soon had her arms around me and her body pressed against mine.

She pulled her lips back some and whispered my name.

"Nic."

Dropping my forehead to hers, I took in a deep breath.

"I'll call you when I land," she whispered. 

I nodded. "Okay. If I don't answer, I'm on a call." With a sweet innocent smile, she reached up one more time. "Have a safe trip, Gabi."

She swallowed hard. "Stay safe. I love you."

My heart stilled. She said the words and I knew in my heart she meant them. I winked. "Always, and I love you too."

Climbing up into my truck, I glanced back at her. I silently pleaded with her to tell me why her eyes looked so lost. When she lifted her hand in a wave, I did the same.

When I pulled away from her place, I took my phone out and hit Liam's number.

"Hey," he said.

"Anything?"

"Listen, Nic, I think you need to let this go."

My heart jumped to my throat. "What did you find out from your friend at the FBI?"

Liam' sighed.

"This sneaking behind her back doesn't feel right, Nic."

"No fucking shit. Neither does following her to Italy. I feel like a goddamn stalker. I want more than anything to believe she isn't hiding anything, but she is. So what did he find out?"

"There's nothing he can find on a Gabi or Gabriella Mandola before six years ago."

"Nothing?"

"No. He checked the entire east coast for a five-year span on either side of her date of birth. It came back with nothing. It's like she didn't exist but up until six years ago."

"What about her social?"

Liam grew silent.

"Liam?"

He blew out a quick breath. "When he typed it in it came back with . . . classified."

My breath stalled in my chest.

"What?"

"Yeah. He'd have to get a different security clearance to get in. I'm sorry, Nic. He hit a dead end. But he did say she could be in some sort of witness protection."

I scrubbed my free hand over my face and cursed. "What in the fuck?"

Holy fucking shit. What in the hell was going on?

"Nic, I'm really sorry. He doesn't have any other information."

I sighed in frustration. "It's alright. Listen, I've got a flight to catch so I'll be out of touch for about twelve hours."