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Without a word, Cian shifted gears and the car sped back into the night.
***
The silence on the trip back to Austin had been stifling. They had both retreated into their corners and avoided even looking at each other. Amaliya had the distinct feeling they were both gearing up for the big argument they both knew was coming.
When they reached downtown Austin, she finally looked toward him to see that his jaw was set in a harsh line. It made her feel agitated and she looked away sharply. He parked in the parking garage and she was out of the car before the engine died.
“Amaliya,” Cian said from behind her.
She walked to the elevator and punched the button. Turning, she rested her hands on her hips. “What?”
“We need to talk. ”
“No, we don't. ”
To her relief, the elevator doors opened and she stepped backward into it.
And managed to bump into a couple that were exiting.
“Oh, sorry,” she said as they looked at her curiously and she remembered she was covered in her own blood. She just gave them a half-hearted smile and shrugged.
Cian stepped in beside her and began to open his mouth when a pretty blond girl reeking of liquor lunged in. She swept her hair out of her face and giggled at them.
“Hope I'm not crashing,” she said with exaggerated concern. Her keys jingled in her fingers as she swayed back and forth.
“Not at all,” Amaliya assured her.
“Did you spill your drink?” The girl pointed to Amaliya's crusted t-shirt.
“Bloody Mary,” Amaliya answered.
“That sucks,” the girl said with a deeper frown.
“How are you doing, Heather?” Cian steadied the girl with one hand.
“Oh, I'm drunk. But I got a cab back,” she assured him.
It struck Amaliya that this was one of the people Cian drank from on a regular basis. She felt a pang of jealousy, then fought it away.
“Good for you,” he said, and helped her step out onto her floor when the doors opened. “Be careful. ”
Heather teetered on her high heels and giggled. “I like the look, Cian. It's hot. ” She gestured to his long hair.
Cian smiled at her slightly. The doors shut. With a determined expression on his face, he turned back toward Amaliya.
Amaliya pointed a finger in his face. “Don't start. ”
He moved to grab hold of her and she managed to skirt around him as the elevator opened. Rushing to the door, she banged on it as hard as she could.
“Let me unlock it,” Cian said shoving her aside.
Roberto opened the door and peered out at them. “You brought her back. ”
“I told you I would,” Cian snapped. He was growing more and more irritable.
“I need my car keys and my cellphone. And you owe me seven thousand dollars,” she said to Roberto, jabbing him in the chest as she pushed her way past Cian and into the apartment.
“Are you leaving?” Roberto asked hopefully.
