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“He’s… a lot.”
Hadley chuckles at that. “He is. But his heart is in the right place. I know it feels hopeless now, but you’ll get there, Mia. You’ll find yourself again.”
I’d felt a glimpse of her last night—the Mia I was before all… this. But I hadn’t been able to hold onto her.
“Morning.” Bexley stumbles into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes. “I woke up and you were gone.”
“I didn’t want to wake you.” I smile weakly, bracing myself for his touch.
He curves his hand around the back of my neck and presses a kiss to my head. “I missed you.”
“I…” The words get stuck, and I swallow, trying desperately to find a reply.
“There’s coffee,” Hadley says, drawing his attention, and I exhale a small breath.
If Bexley feels my hesitation, he doesn’t comment. But the tension lingers between us, and I know he must sense it too.
“Thanks.” He moves over to the counter, and Hadley shoots me a reassuring smile.
Cole and Alex join us, and the five of us drink coffee and eat breakfast. Cole is busy telling us about his season with the Colts, but my mind is elsewhere.
I glance out of the window, my eyes almost bugging out of my head when I spot the black figure in the distance.
He’s not there, I silently scold myself.It’s just your mind playing tricks.
But when I look back out the window, he’s still there.
Fear snakes through me, making my stomach drop. Before I know what I’m doing, I get up and move for the back door.
“Mia?” Bexley says.
“I just need some fresh air.” I slip outside, a shiver running through me as I creep across the decking. But when I reach the wooden railing, the figure is gone.
Tears streak down my face as I grip the rail. I really am losing my mind.
“Hey.” Bexley joins me on the deck. “Are you okay?”
“No, I’m not.” I sniffle, trying to rein in my emotions.
“Hey, I’ve got you.” He comes closer, reaching for me. “I’ve got you, baby.” I let him pull me close, melting against his chest.
“It’s like he’s following me,” I whisper.
Bexley tenses. “It’s just your mind,” he whispers. “You’re safe, Mia. I promise.”
But it’s a lie.
Because while Cade’s out there, no one’s safe.
Especially not me.
* * *
On Sunday afternoon, we head back to Gravestone. Last night, I left them all talking around the firepit and retreated to my room. Sometime later, Bexley crawled in beside me, but we didn’t talk or kiss or touch… we just lay there, in silence, until he drifted to sleep. This morning we had breakfast with Hadley and Cole before they left to visit Ace and Remi. I know Bexley was hoping to speak to her, but they couldn’t make it in the end.
“So how was it?” Sasha asks, slipping into my room.
“It was okay, I guess.” I shrug, unpacking my small overnight bag.
