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When I wake up, Romeo has me pulled tight against him. I try not to giggle at the two extremes he shows me.
“You keep giggling and I’m going to put that mouth to better use,” he says with his eyes closed.
I shouldn’t have a smile on my face, but it’s there. Sighing, I inhale him. It reminds me of protection. That’s how I feel with him—protected. Is it wrong that I don’t want to go back to my old life? What if I never told anyone my memories came back? What if this, here, could be my new reality?
I once believed I had the best life. Ignorantly, I put my sisters down because I thought my life was better than theirs. If only they knew the truth. I would come off as a condescending bitch who only thought of herself. My head was honestly in the clouds.
“You keep wiggling like that, and I’m going to claim you again.”
The thought is tempting, and I wiggle my backside into his hard morning wood.
“No one wants to hear you two again. I had to put earplugs in,” Max yells from the hallway.
“Is that a challenge?” Romeo hollers back.
I take advantage of him being distracted and slip out of bed. My body aches in places it never had before. I can feel where his fingers gripped my hips.
“All right, chores it is. Until I can figure out where to bury my brother,” Romeo grumbles.
I think he’s joking. I can’t tell by his facial features. “You keep staring at me like that, and you’re going to put him in the grave before breakfast.”
His words should horrify me and definitely not turn me on.
“Gia.” His voice is strained, and I quickly get dressed. After all, Max is my friend. I’d hate to lose one of the only two people around me. “Smart girl.”
I blush under his praise. Chores, I need to remind myself.
“Don’t forget to put your hair in a ponytail.” I hear his voice right before I can feel him behind me. His hand delicately touches my neck and gives my hair a soft pull. “After all, I know how much you like it when I boss you around.” Warm, hot breath floats over my earlobe.
I must really value Max’s friendship, because it’s taking all my willpower to not say fuck it and jump Romeo right now. The urge to flip him off with both my middle fingers runs through me. But he’d like that, and he’d jump me.
I go to sit in the sun on the porch. The rays hit me in the face, its warmth refreshing.
“Change of plans,” Max calls from inside just as he and Romeo stroll out. Max isn’t in his typical “I’m heading into the butcher shop” clothes. He heads past us and toward the car. My stomach drops. I don’t want to be left alone here. Disappointment clings to my skin in a wet, clammy sensation.
“No problem. I’ll hold down the fort.” I try to smile, even if it’s strained.
Romeo cocks an amused eyebrow at me, his lips static with no expression. I stand, brushing off my pants, but nothing is on them. I can feel him staring at me, and I can’t meet his gaze.
“I’m not leaving you, Gia.” His words seem to have a double meaning. “I need to head into town to do some business. You’re coming with.”
I look over at the farm, thinking about the chores we would have to do when we return.
“Max went out and fed the pigs late last night.” I know he didn’t go feed them like we normally do. The thought is chilling. He gives me a look that says there will be no questions.
Not that I listen. “What are we doing in town?”
“I have a quick meeting.”
I climb into the back as Romeo slides the seat forward. “What type of meetings do pig farmers have?” I ask innocently. I wonder if I’m pushing my luck. Max eyes me curiously.
“Feed meeting.” Max turns his head, so I can’t see the way he’s fighting off his own inside joke. But I caught it. Romeo only grunts. The more time I’ve spent with the brothers, the more they let their guard down around me. They seem almost trustful. In this life, you can never trust anyone.
Now that I remember who I am, and who they are, I can’t help but wonder—what’s their angle? Our two families have always hated each other. I watch Romeo and Max glance at each other, having a silent conversation. To be honest, I’m jealous of the fact that they have that ability. I love my sisters, but we were never able to do that whole read each other’s mind thing. If we had, maybe Katrina would still be here.
I shake my head, refusing to think about that now. I need a night alone with a bottle of something strong before my mind gets to dig deep into my soul. The car is warm inside, even with the wind blowing through the open windows. I take a deep breath, and I can no longer recognize the horrible smells I had when I first woke up here. It’s like I’ve become immune to them.
My dark hair flies around, hitting me in the face. The sun is shining brightly. I shift my weight, but there’s no escaping the dry air pushing back against me. Max turns up the radio. The sounds drift out of the car. The music is loud enough to drown out my thoughts. Closing my eyes, I allow the movement of the car to rock me.
