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“But I don’t understand. Why am I not staying here with you? I thought that was the whole point.”
“Things have changed. I need to make sure you’re safe.”
“My father and his men won’t hurt me. If they show up here, I should be here. Maybe I can help.”
“I can’t have you caught in the crossfire. I promised you the chance to return to your life after all this is over. I can’t do that if you’re dead.”
Return me to my life? What the hell does that even mean? What changed from last night to now?
“I don’t want to go to Minneapolis. I won’t. This is my father we’re talking about. I have a right to be here.”
“No, you don’t. You will go where I say you go.” The harshness of his words spark something deep in my gut.
“Mateo, please.”
“This isn’t up for discussion, Mila.” He blows out a frustrated breath. “If there’s anything you need to take with you, have it ready. You will leave at sunrise.”
“But...”
“No buts! For once, I need you to do what you’re told without question.” Without another word, he storms out of the kitchen.
——
ITHROW ON THE LOUNGEpants I wore when we fled the compound, and finally locate the tank top that goes with them in the laundry room. Mateo said to have our things ready, and since this is really the only thing I have, I guess I’m ready.
He’s avoided me for most of the day. I can tell by the way all the men are acting that something has happened. I wish so badly that I knew what. But even Dimitri is keeping his lips sealed.
I just want to know what’s going on.
Mateo may say that he’s moving me to keep me safe, but I don’t buy it. Something is up.
Was it something I said? Did I do something to make him think that we’re on opposite ends of this fight? And while I planned to negotiate for my father’s life, when and if the time came, that’s not information I have shared with him, or even hinted at.
So why all of a sudden is he shutting me out?
Grabbing the comforter off the top of the bed, I wrap it around my shoulders before sitting on the window seat. Pulling my legs into my chest, I watch the branches of the tree outside the window sway violently against the wind.
It started storming a few minutes ago and from the looks of it, it’s getting pretty bad. It’s dark out, so I can’t see much, but I can hear it. Like a howling noise, followed by loud rumbles of thunder and sporadic flashes of lightning.
I jump when the bedroom door opens, Mateo stepping inside moments later. I’m honestly surprised to see him. He hasn’t so much as looked my way after he announced that he was evacuating me and Norma.
I just don’t get it.
“Hey.” He lets out an exhausted sigh as he crosses the room toward me.
I’m still angry about earlier so I choose not to say anything, afraid of what might come out of my mouth if I do.
Sliding down on the bench next to me, he angles his body so that he can look out the window.
“It’s really coming down out there,” he observes.
“Mm hmm.” I don’t look at him.
You’d think I’d be used to his hot and cold behavior, but the way he spoke to me this morning in the kitchen? I don’t know. It was different. Something has changed and the fact that he’s keeping me in the dark is not sitting well with me.
This is about me, after all.
I’m the one who was stolen from her life.
