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A gentle tug on my hair had me snapping up and pulling me from my spiral of self-loathing. My guardian angel stood behind me, combing my hair. I blinked, making sure I wasn’t dreaming. Sitting still, I focused on his movements, the care he took with each strand. It was soft and precise, better than any guy had ever managed before.
“You’re good at that,” I whispered, not wanting to break the quiet space we’d made.
“Hmph,” was all he said, but he didn’t stop until he could comb all the way through my hair. When he was finished, he stepped away from my back, and his heat left me, leaving me feeling cold. He didn’t say anything else, but walked to the door and opened it.
“Thank you,” I whispered, attempting to hold the tears back. He stopped, nodded, and then stepped through. No words passed. It seemed we were back to silent guard.
I touched my head reverently, the smoothness of the strands bringing me a comfort I hadn’t realized I needed. Laying down on the bed, I curled into that ball, and this time I cried for all the things I missed and how much I wanted to get back to them.
It felt cathartic to cry it out, to let myself acknowledge all the things I was missing and vowed to myself to not give up, to fight to get them back.
Seemed like I owed something else to my guardian angel.
* * *
“Mom, I don’t want to go. Why are you taking me?”
“You’ll appreciate it later, Camila. If you don’t want to go back after this year, I won’t make you. Deal?”
Rolling my eyes, I sighed, picking up the duffle and heading out the door. Our life was great how it was. I wanted to have a real job, though, and be around people. I didn’t need to become some badass female Siren. I’d do it this year to appease my mother, but then I wanted nothing to do with the Sirens ever again. They had no value in my life.
I sucked in a breath,sitting up and realizing the room was dark. Wiping my eyes, I found my cheeks wet; the tears I hadn’t realized I’d been crying covering my face. Climbing off the bed, I stumbled toward the bathroom, turning the light on. As I squinted against the light, I turned on the water, splashing some on my face to wake up.
With nothing else to do in the place but think, it seemed all my memories and grief were merging together, forcing me to face it. I knew Loren would have something to say about that. The thought brought a tiny smile to my face. God, I missed my friends. I’d really fucked up. I hoped they’d all forgive me and I’d have the chance to earn it.
The door to the bedroom slammed open, and I jumped back in shock. Quickly, I turned off the water, drying my hands. I didn’t know if I should rush out there to see what it was or just wait until they found me.
The need to calm whatever Darren was upset about surged through me, followed by the strong need to vomit. I hated that I still jumped to fix him. In the end, I didn’t need to worry, as he quickly found me.
“Pet, it’s time to test your skills. Get dressed. We leave in fifteen minutes.”
He turned, stalking out the door, leaving me to follow his demands or endure the consequences. Stepping out into the room, I took in the outfit on the bed, swallowing.
This wouldn’t be good.
Five
CAMILA
The dress itchedagainst my skin, and the material hung loosely around me. I’d never wanted to claw something off my body so badly before. I shouldn’t feel this way about Versace, but it was one more thing Darren had ruined for me. His grip on my waist tightened like he could feel the dissent I was thinking.
“Remember what’s at stake, pet.” He’d leaned down to whisper, his breath skating over my skin, and I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from revolting at the sensation.
“I’m not yourpet.” Fuck, I should’ve bitten my tongue instead.
A maniacal laugh rolled out of him as he pulled me tighter, skating his nose up my cheek. “That’s where you’redeadwrong, little pet.” I didn’t miss his not so subtle threat. He pinched my side, and I discovered one advantage to being emaciated—there was barely anything for him to grab.
How sad was it that I counted that as a win? So. Fucking. Sad.
Gritting my teeth, I swallowed the retort, knowing I had to be smarter. The kindness my guardian guard had bestowed on me was a reminder that there were good people in the world. Ifhecould show me an ounce of goodness, I could fight against Darren. It wasn’t all for naught.
Scanning the crowd, I tried to figure out where we were. Again, we’d been ushered to a side door, so I had no idea. The men and women in designer dresses and suits didn’t narrow it down either. Darren had taken me to quite a few benefits and galas, distracting me with fancy dresses and nights out. Looking back, I’d been such a fool, but it was stupid to keep harping on that fact. I could beat myself up once I was free of him.
“What are we doing here? Aren’t you afraid of being seen with me?”
He scoffed, smiling at some people as they passed. Not once did he turn to look at me, just wanting me for arm candy. “Pet, don’t overestimate your value. I sent your finger, and Atticus told me I could keep you. So, get used to your new life.”
The lie rolled off his tongue with ease, and inwardly, I smiled. If Darren felt the need to lie, then there was something he was worried about, and that gave me leverage.
