She crossed her arms. “I miss the way we were, Sebastian. I miss you.”
I rubbed my face and stood from my desk, making my way around to her. Her body softened when I touched her arms.
“It’s temporary. It won’t be forever.”
She placed her hand on my cheek, and I kissed her palm. “Is it, though? It’ll be something else next.”
“Do you not get how much I want to be with you right now?”
“Then let’s go home.”
I wanted to be with her all the fucking time, but it was the meeting with Callum tonight, and I wanted to see if he was going to make good on his promise. I didn’t trust him, I never fully would, but if he could supply better products for the Organisation, then I wasn’t about to let that business opportunity pass us by.
I cleared my throat. “I can’t. There’s too much to do.” I made my way back to sit down and pulled some paperwork out.
“What’s going on with you?”
“Nothing.” I didn’t even look at her; I just fixed my eyes on the work in front of me.
“You’ve been acting like a complete asshole recently, and I’m getting fed up with it,” she spat.
I let out a heavy sigh and met her eyes. “I’m sorry, Nyx. There’s a lot of pressure coming from all ends at me, and I’m sorry it’s you who’s having to suffer from it.”
“You look tired. I can stay and help so we can get it done quicker,” she offered, her voice softening.
I was tired. Tired of lying about everything. But I’d been doing it for so long now, I just couldn’t tell her. Everything was starting to feel heavy as I tried to keep the most important parts of my life balanced.
Those scales didn’t need to tip now, because if one fell, they’d all follow.
“No, you go home and get some rest. I won’t be long, I promise.”
Another lie.
She rolled her eyes at me. “Fine. Just don’t stay too late.”
“I won’t.”
She gave me a half-smile, and I watched her leave, grab her things from her desk, and make her way through into the main office. It wouldn’t be long before she was down at reception. Logan had said he’d text once she was with him.
I leaned back in the chair. “You’re a fucking idiot, do you know that, Sebastian?” I mumbled to myself.
Aria was the best part of me. She made me feel human. She made my heart beat, so I knew I had one. Because I was convinced it was hollow before. My throat was tight, and I loosened my tie. I never once questioned the things I did before her. But now, it felt different.
“Do you want me to come in with you?” Logan asked as he turned to face me.
It would be foolish not to. “Yeah. Be on your guard—even the slightest shift …”
“All right. Kai, Zane, Rhys and Luca are in position, ready if we need them. Harry has eyes on everything.”
I gave Logan a curt nod as we stepped out of the car and closed the doors. Pausing for a beat, I looked up at the industrial lockup on the Thames in Deptford. It looked like the type of building you entered but never left. The sound of the water whooshing around from the cool March wind filled the eerie silence of the night. My heart rate quickened.
What if this was a trap?
I wouldn’t put it past Callum.
Pulling my Glock from the holster, I checked it, making sure it was ready to use if need be, then placed it back and started to make my way over.
When we reached the front, I let out a quick breath, cracking my neck, trying to psych myself up for what I was about to walk into. I knew the guys had my back, ready to pounce at any moment if things went sideways.
