AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You did the right thing by leaving. This is on Marina.”
“Yeah. Like it was before, and look what happened. Sebastian is dead!”
I kick an ottoman. It tips over and Itty-bitty jumps from the couch, headed for the security of her open playpen and cat carrier I placed in there, along with a blanket.
“Give it another week,” Agent Keller says, and I nearly have a heart attack.
“Another week? How long ago did this happen?”
Silence.
“How long?” I grate.
“Eight days.”
Fuck.I clench one hand into a fist while the other gives my phone a death grip.
“I’m returning. Can you help me get a plane or give me the number of a secure company?”
He sighs. “I’ll give you the number of the company that flew you from Santa Barbara.”
“Thank you.”
“If you must go, at least be smart. Don’t go and be a hero. Leave that to the trained professionals.”
What better reason could there be than to be a hero to the people you love?
The room spins with that realization, then stops suddenly.Could I have fallen in love with Nova in the brief time we were together? Is that even possible?
It took me a month to fall for Seraphina, and that was after we slept together. I met her at one of our college house parties and asked her out. We were an insta-couple, but it worked—or so I’d thought.
Nova and I are like close friends from another lifetime who reconnected and have extreme sexual chemistry. Is that love?
I loved Sera but what I felt for her was nothing compared to the ferocity spiraling inside me, demanding I return and protect Nova until my dying breath. Not even a year into my relationship with Sera did I feel this level of protectiveness. Granted, we weren’t in a life-and-death situation. Still, the last two weeks being here has done little to quell my need to hold Nova, to have her near, to inhale her sweet scent, see her smile, hear her voice, and watch her laugh and play with our kittens.
Picturing my life with her is as easy as imagining the sun rise between the trees and snowy landscape in the morning. She’d design clothes, leaving drawings all over our place, and I’d day trade. We’d play with the kittens, watch movies, and eat dinner together, sharing our day. I’d get to hold her every night and catch her beautiful gaze each morning. I could even see us visiting Gigi regularly or living there temporarily if she’d have us, not that I’d want to impose. Not that I think she’d mind. I’d do whatever is best for us—whatever Nova wants.
Well, I’ll be damned. Not once have I ever put anyone’s needs before my own.
“Do you have a pen?” Agent Keller asks.
“A pen?” What did I miss?
“For the number?”
Oh. Right. I switch the phone to speaker and bring up my notes app. “Go ahead.”
He gives me the number to the company and the name to a woman he uses. Desiree. “Tell her I referred you. She’ll remember you after setting this up such a short time ago.”
“Thanks.” I save the information and close my notes.
“Be safe, Riley. Please. This case, and what happened to all of you, stuck with me. I blame myself for not intervening sooner. It’s why I’ve always stayed in touch and helped where and when I could.”
“I appreciate it, too. All of it. I truly do.”
“Desiree should be able to get you out ASAP.”
“Thanks again.”
“All right. I’ll be in touch.”
I end the call and turn to pack before spotting Itty-bitty. She inches out of her carrier, her big green eyes on me with caution.
“Sorry, girl.” I bend and put out my hand. “I got upset. Your mommy scared me. I’m still scared but we’re going back home to see her.” Itty-bitty comes closer and sniffs my fingers. “Would you like that? Do you want to see your brother and sister?”
She nudges my hand with her head, her way of letting me know I’m forgiven. “Thanks, girl. You want to help me pack?” I gather her in my arms and stand. “I should call Desiree first and see how quickly we can get out of here, and when to give you your sleepy-time meds or you won’t like the flight.”
She meows and purrs as I make the call. Everything in me says this is the right thing to do. Nova doesn’t have to love me back, although I think she does—or will. Regardless, I want to be there for her and Gigi. They are the closest thing to family I’ve ever had. Even when I was with my sister, I was the outsider. The fourth wheel, soon to be fifth, in a family that had no room for me. Despite their offer for me to stay, it was always temporary.
Gigi and Nova don’t feel that way. They feel like home.
