Page 29 of A Love Bite

I stand up, feeling a mix of frustration and fear. “I can’t just drop this, Jake. I’m a journalist. It’s my job to find the truth. If you can’t be honest with me, then I have to keep digging.”

Jake stands up too, his expression pained. “Alex, please. I’m only trying to protect you.”

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my emotions. “I appreciate that, Jake, but I can’t walk away from this. If you care about me, you’ll understand that.”

He nods slowly, his eyes filled with regret. “I do care about you, Alex. More than you know. Just… be careful. And if you ever feel like you’re in danger, promise me you’ll come to me.”

“I will,” I say softly. “But you have to promise me that you’ll be honest with me when you’re ready. No more secrets.”

He looks down, then back at me, his eyes determined. “I promise.”

As he leaves, I can’t shake the feeling of unease. Something is going on, something big, and Jake knows more than he’s letting on. His warning only makes me more determined to find out the truth, not just for my job, but for my own peace of mind.

I sit back down, my thoughts racing. The investigation just got a lot more personal, and I need to figure out what Jake is hiding and how it connects to the escalating crime in the southside.

I’m not backing down, no matter the risks.

Feelingunsettled after my conversation with Jake, I decide to call Kathy to check on Opal and also to talk through my feelings. I dial her number and wait as it rings.

“Hey, Alex,” Kathy answers, her voice bright and reassuring. “How’s it going?”

“Hey, Kathy,” I reply, trying to keep my voice steady. “How’s Opal doing?”

“She’s doing better,” Kathy says. “We’ve been talking a lot, and she’s starting to feel safer, but it’s still a process.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” I say, feeling a small sense of relief. “I wanted to talk to you about something else, too.”

“Of course. What’s going on?” she asks, her tone immediately shifting to concern.

I take a deep breath. “I had a great time with Jake last night, but this morning he came over and told me I should back off from my investigation. He seemed really worried and almost desperate. It’s confusing and a little alarming.”

Kathy is silent for a moment, then says, “That does sound strange. Why would he want you to back off? Did he say why?”

“He said it’s dangerous and that he knows things I don’t,” I explain, “but he wouldn’t give me any specifics. It’s like he knows something about what’s happening in the southside, but he won’t tell me what.”

“Do you think he’s involved?” Kathy asks, her voice cautious.

“I don’t know,” I admit. “He seemed genuinely concerned for my safety, but the whole thing has me on edge. It’s like he’s hiding something, and I don’t know if I can trust him completely.”

Kathy sighs. “That’s a tough spot to be in, Alex. Maybe he’s trying to protect you, but it’s hard to trust someone when they’re not being fully honest. Do you think you can get him to open up more?”

“I hope so,” I say, frustration creeping into my voice. “But he seemed really conflicted. I don’t want to push him away, but I also need to know what’s going on.”

“Maybe give it a little time,” Kathy suggests gently. “See if he comes around and tells you more. In the meantime, keep doing your job. Be cautious, but don’t let fear stop you from finding the truth.”

“You’re right,” I say, feeling a bit more grounded. “I need to keep moving forward. I just hope Jake opens up soon. This whole thing is getting more complicated by the minute.”

“If you need anything, I’m here for you,” Kathy says. “And keep me updated on what you find out. We’re all in this together.”

“Thanks, Kathy,” I reply, grateful for her support. “I’ll keep you posted. Take care of Opal, and I’ll talk to you soon.”

“You too, Alex,” she says warmly. “Stay safe.”

As I hang up, I feel a renewed sense of determination. Kathy is right. I need to keep pushing forward but with caution. I have to trust my instincts and hope that Jake will eventually trust me enough to share whatever he’s hiding.

With a deep breath, I get back to work, focusing on gathering more information about the southside and the escalating crime. There are answers out there, and I’m determined to find them. And no matter how complicated things get with Jake, I won’t let it deter me from uncovering the truth.

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