Her phone rang. Valerie answered it, still staring at the painting.

“Hey, did you get the business card I left on your desk?” Luke sounded cheerier than normal. Valerie was glad he’d stopped being such an jerk and went back to acting like before they’d ever dated, though he still looked at her in ways that made her feel uncomfortable.

“Yeah, thanks. As a matter fact, I’m going over there now.”

“So, you’re done with the painting? Were you able to capture that nuance of true love that you were so worried about?”

That made Valerie smile. She wondered if it was part of his management training to somehow remember even the smallest details of long ago conversations. “I think so, but…”

“But what?”

“I don’t know. I’m staring at it now. Maybe it’s just me.”

“Has anyone else seen it?”

Valerie chuckled. “No.”

“Well, that’s your problem. Artists are always their own worst critics.” He paused. “Where are you?”

“My apartment.” She chewed the corner of her pinky nail.

“I’m only five minutes away. I can swing by if you want. I’d love to see it. I promise I’ll be completely honest.”

Valerie stepped back, as if looking at it from a distance would somehow change her outlook on it. She considered Luke’s offer. What could it hurt? “You’re really only five minutes away?”

“Closer now.”

“Okay, I’ll wait for you.”

Valerie set the phone down and continued to scrutinize the painting. She was being obsessive. She knew it, but this was important. Sarah’s relationship with Angel was what bonded her to Sarah in the first place. Valerie had been there for her through their whole roller coaster beginning. If it hadn’t been for those two falling in love, Valerie may have never met Alex.

Alex. Valerie winced. He wouldn’t be thrilled about her having Luke over to her apartment. She shook it off. There was no way he’d ever know. Luke would be in and out in five minutes. She’d been alone with him plenty of times at the office. What difference did it make?

The doorbell rang. Valerie hurried to get it. Luke was suited up as usual. She let him in and walked him to her bedroom, growing a bit unsure with every step. Maybe she should’ve thought this out a little more.

Luke stopped in front of the painting. He didn’t say anything for a moment, just stared. Valerie bit her lip, her eyes bouncing from the painting back to Luke impatiently. Luke turned to her, his expression blank. “Valerie, this is amazing.”

She couldn’t help but grin. “You really think so?” She grabbed the picture from her dresser and handed it to him. “This is the actual picture.”

Luke held it, his eyes lifting from it to the painting and back again a few times. He turned to her with a big smile. “I say you nailed it. Your cousin is gonna love it.”

He handed her back the picture. “He looks exactly like Alex by the way. In a younger, smaller kind of way, but yeah, the resemblance is uncanny.”

The mention of Alex reminded her she shouldn’t be there too long with Luke. Valerie set the picture back on her dresser. “I feel better now, Luke.” She glanced at her watch. “Thanks for stopping by and giving me your opinion. I hate to rush you out, but I have an appointment in a couple of hours and I still need to drop this off first.”

Luke left quickly, praising her painting again before walking out. Valerie grabbed slice of cold pizza from the fridge and groaned after taking a bite. Isabel’s home-made pizza. Just another one of the things she’d miss about living with Isabel.

She walked in the bedroom to get the painting when the doorbell rang again. Luke must’ve forgot something. She hurried to the door and opened it without looking to see who it was. Her heart nearly stopped at the sight of Bruce standing at her door.

“I see you’re letting them take turns, Val. Do I get my turn now?”

It took her a moment to regain her thoughts. Instinctively, she tried closing the door, but he pushed at it. Valerie slammed her entire weight on the door with a grunt, but she was no match for him.

“Stop right there!” An unfamiliar man’s voice yelled outside.

The door slammed shut, and she heard running footsteps. Her hands trembled uncontrollably as she fumbled with all the locks. She brought her trembling hands to her face and covered her mouth, peeking out the window. He was gone, and she didn’t see anyone else. Her cell phone rang in the bedroom.

She started toward the bedroom feeling more alarmed as the reality sunk in. What if whoever yelled hadn’t yelled in time? What would Bruce be doing to her this very moment?

She picked up her phone barely able to hold it in her still trembling hands. Two missed calls from Alex. It rang again causing her to almost drop it. It only rang once and then stopped, a good thing because she needed to calm down, before speaking to him.

Something turned in her stomach. She was going to be sick. Dropping the phone on her bed, she ran to the restroom. The phone rang again as she heaved into the toilet. Nothing came out but her stomach roiled again and again forcing her to continue to heave loudly. When it finally passed, she sat on the cold bathroom floor, back against the tub too afraid to try to get up. She feared if she stood it would start up again.

This nightmare was never going to end. It was only getting worse. She brought her knees up slowly, not wanting to fluster her stomach. Hugging her legs, she leaned her head against her knees. Finally, she had no choice but to accept what Alex had been trying to tell her all this time. She was in very serious danger. Bruce wouldn’t stop until he got what he wanted.