Page 128 of Xavier

“Oh my god! That’s why he left! Because of you!”

“Yes, but he obviously didn’t listen or else he wouldn’t be back here.”

I shake my head, speechless. And then the thoughts start to filter through. “Wait. That’s how he found me. That’s how he knew I would be here tonight. He found me through you. He couldn't have found me as Isabella Fountaine. He only knew me as Malynda before.” My head is pounding as my past appears in front of me completely jumbled. Cameron and Damien? Talking? Making deals?

“I’m sorry. I’ll… I’ll make sure he gets a reminder about our deal,” Cameron says, totally oblivious to what I’m thinking.

“No! Don’t! I never wanted you to do that!”

“I know. I did it for you anyway.”

“And I don’t think he was here to hurt me.” I say the words before I think them.

“Come on, Isabella! Grow up. Then why was he here?”

It takes me a moment to remember. And then I do.

“He said… he wasn’t the one who broke into my apartment.”

“Pfft, and you believe him? He’s probably just covering his tracks.”

“No. I believe him.” Again, the words come out of my mouth even before I can process them in my mind.

“You’re just in shock at seeing him again. I’ll take you home and you’ll feel better in a bit.” He moves to take my hand but I take a step back.

I look up at my best friend, my partner. “Did you really pay him off?”

He nods, “Yes.”

“Why?”

“To protect you.”

“But you barely knew me then.”

“I knew enough to…” his voice trails off just as a car horn blasts, drowning him out.

“To what?” I prompt him.

“Iz, are we really having this conversation now?” he asks, running a hand through his blonde hair.

“Just tell me, Cameron.”

“I knew enough to know, okay?”

“To know what?”

“That I loved you. And I would do anything to protect you.”

“Oh, Cameron.” I wish he hadn’t said it. There’s no going back from here.

“You know it’s true,” he whispers.

And I do. Just as he has always known that I have never returned those feelings.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything. I can wait.”

I just shake my head. No more. I don’t want anyone waiting for me anymore. I can’t take that responsibility.