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Lya crosses her arms, leaning back against the countertop. “Nice try, but you’re coming with us. Get ready,” she orders.
“Seriously? I don’t want to go. I think it’d be safer for all of us if I just stayed here.” My voice is whiny and annoying.
“No way. We need to keep eyes on you.” It’s Zep this time who cuts in, refusing to let me stay.
“You have cameras all over this place, plus I don’t know how to drive, so what can I really do to get into trouble?” I raise my brows, challenging them. The best I could do is try to sneak past the cameras like I always do and then walk away, but I don’t even know where to walk to, since I’m clueless on where Greyson would be. That’s why if I stay here, maybe I can rummage around and find information about any places they might have close by.
“She’s right,” Thiago chimes in. “She can’t really get into any trouble.” I knew he would stick up for me, even if it’s something this small.
Lya’s gaze bounces between all of her guys. “You really don’t want to help?” she asks quietly when her eyes fall back to me. It’s probably confusing for her because she’s usually ready to jump in guns blazing, but that’s not me. I’m not always ready for a fight like her. Some might see it as weak, but I know my limits. I’m in the wrong headspace right now. I’m distracted and hurting—two things that wouldn’t mix well with this plan.
“No. I want to stay here. I don’t know if I could handle seeing Harvey, and you’d have to worry about me more there.” That’s not a full lie because the thought of him terrifies me, but it’s not the only reason I’m adamant on staying home.
Lya takes a deep breath, tilting her head side to side in contemplation. “I guess I can understand that. Okay, you can stay.” Her face burns with guilt, as if it hadn’t really occurred to her how seeing him might affect me. I’m honestly surprised she gave in that easily.
“You will not leave this house. We’ve got eyes on the entire place and we have security watching. So no trying to go off and do whatever it is you’ve been attempting for the last few days.” Zep’s voice is cold and detached as it booms through the room.
“Fine, I won’t try to leave the house. I know you’d be back in an instant if I did—I’m not that naive.” Now it’s me crossing my arms and popping my hip defiantly.
“I don’t believe that for a second. You’re stubborn just like your sister, but we’ll see if you can keep your word this time.”
Now our narrowed eyes are locked together, Zep and I silently arguing with each other. I’m internally cussing him out and I’m sure he’s doing the same.
Thiago walks past, squeezing my shoulder. “Alright, you two. Put down the mental weapons. We’ve got to get going. Lainey, please don’t do anything stupid. We’ll be back in a few hours.” He’s trusting me to do what I said, and every part of me wants to keep my word for his sake... but if I have the chance to find Greyson, I’ll take it.
“Okay, see you guys later. Good luck, and stay safe.”
With that, the guys all walk out of the kitchen, but Lya lingers behind. “Lainey, please just stay here. I can’t worry about you too while I’m gone.” She wraps me into a tight embrace. “I’m sorry for the way I’ve been lately. I want you to be happy, please know that. Everything I do is to protect you. I love you.” Her voice is cracking, acting like it’s the last time we’ll ever see each other again.
“I love you too. Come back in one piece.” It’s all I can say back right now. I’m still hurt, but my sister was the first person I ever truly loved. She’s the only family I have, considering our mom is probably drugged out somewhere and we have no clue who our father is. She’s the other half of me. No matter how mad we get with each other, neither of us will ever stop loving the other.
I hate that it feels like I’m having to choose between Lya and Greyson. I just want to have them both. I know they’ll never fully forgive one another, but I just want them to at least tolerate each other. Greyson hurt my sister, and I know it’s killing her inside that I would even consider being with him, so now that means I’m the one hurting her. But the idea of never being with him again hurts me. A stabbing pain rips through my heart at the thought of leaving either of them, if I was forced to choose.
Lya finally releases me, and gives me a kiss on the cheek before leaving the kitchen. I hear the front door close and two vehicles come to life. With that, I’m left alone with only my thoughts and bad ideas.
I’m still in the kitchen, so I decide to make myself breakfast. Since I didn’t get any this morning because of that outing with Thiago, I’m craving it even more now.
Pulling out the eggs, I make myself something to eat so I can start my search. Sitting at the table, I look around as I shovel bacon and pancakes into my mouth. The empty key rack catches my eye, telling me they don’t trust me one bit. They only took two of the vehicles, but unsurprisingly, all the keys are missing. I did keep my relationship with Greyson hidden from them so I know why they don’t trust me, but the thought still hurts.
Some of the emotions I was feeling before Lya’s little heartfelt speech floods back in, building and building inside me. My hands feel like they’re itching to do something. I’m becoming antsy and uneasy. Standing, I start pacing in the kitchen trying to think of what to do. Maybe I should go write in my journal, get all of my thoughts out? I’m not sure even that will help me right now.
Maybe I could listen to Lya, and let out some of my frustrations in the gym? That might help me get rid of some of this pent-up energy.
When I finish my food, I decide to do just that. I can brainstorm how I’m going to find Greyson while I sweat out my feelings. Making my way down to the gym, I jump on the treadmill and start jogging.Fuck, I’m out of shape.I don’t last long before I feel like my side is going to split open and I can’t catch my breath. Clearly, I need to spend more time down here.
Hopping off, I take a break and lay back on one of the mats they have, trying to get rid of the cramp in my side. It really is impressive down here. They have a living room, bar, and a full gym, everything you could ever need.
Before I can get lost in those thoughts, I turn my attention to finding Greyson. Thiago confirmed today that they did something to him. They hurt him. The thought of him in pain tears me in half. He’s been through enough of that in his life.
A muffled thump distracts me. Sitting up, I turn around, scanning the room.Could they be back so soon?The gym is empty, so it has to be coming from somewhere else.
Heaving out a sigh, I get up from my spot on the floor and head over to the punching bag, slamming my fists into it a couple of times.
I still when I hear the noise again. This time it’s louder, and it sounds like a person grunting.What the hell?I stand there for a few seconds, listening for it. When it sounds again, I get a rough idea of where it’s coming from.
There’s a closed door near the bottom of the stairs. Inching closer to it, I brace myself for what I’m about to find. My heart is racing with nerves. It’s not like I expect it to be a burglar or anything bad, but something about this is off. It doesn’t feel right.
I slowly push the door open, flicking on the lights. I don’t see anything out of the ordinary; it just looks like a regular storage closet full of cleaning supplies and storage totes, but I could have sworn the noise was coming from here. Walking back out, I notice another door close by. It looks like it could be for a studio room or maybe a bigger storage closet, I’m honestly not sure.
