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I grin and remove my hand to dab at my cheeks. “How’s everyone back at REU?”
“Back to normal, I guess. Glyn is constantly being kidnapped by Kill as usual. Bran has been disappearing on us more often than not. Lan is Lan, always scheming some trouble. Eli is MIA. Remi keeps pestering Creigh to join his satanic endeavors. And Ava is miserable because she has no one who listens to her fashion talks anymore. She got drunk the other night and said she misses you.”
“I miss her, too.”
“Despite the show she put on at the hospital?”
“Yeah. I know she didn’t mean to. She was hurt and upset and she had every right to be. She’s always been close to Creighton’s mum, and Eli means something to her, despite her attempts to deny it. So her strong reaction makes sense and I don’t fault her for it. Tell her I’m sorry.”
“Don’t you think there’s someone else you should apologize to? Such as the person who actually got shot?”
My heart jolts at the mere mention of him and it takes me a few moments to compose myself. “And what good would that do?”
“You never know until you try.”
“It’s over, Ces.”
“But—”
“I’m simply not dragging my family through the mud for this. My mom has been worried sick since this whole ordeal started and her insomnia kicked in again. I won’t be the reason behind the relapse of her mental health issues. I’d never forgive myself.”
“So you’ll just sacrifice yourself?”
“I’ll just do what I was supposed to all along. Marry into the mafia, make my parents happy, and that’s it.”
“What about you then?”
“Nothing good happened when I chose me.”
“Anni…”
“I’m barely hanging in there. I’m doing my best, okay? I’m trying to convince myself to keep going no matter how much I want to stop and let my head get the better of me. I’m really,reallytrying, so please don’t push me, Ces.”
“Okay.” She strokes my shoulder.
“Okay?”
“Yeah, okay. I won’t pretend to know what it feels like to be in your shoes right now.”
“Thanks.” I release a long breath, but it does nothing for the knots inside me. “Should we get something to eat?”
Cecily agrees and opts to try the street food experience. We have hot dogs and lots of unhealthy soda and then I drive her to the airport.
Despite my attempts to invite her to stay, she’s bent on leaving and says this was an impromptu visit anyway.
She came in a private jet, so I escort her all the way to the plane.
“Don’t they have a car that goes with one of these planes?” I ask as we walk to the stairs. “Not that I mind driving you.”
“Uh, I didn’t think to ask. First time flying solo, remember?” She smiles forcibly and I stop pushing.
She’s probably embarrassed or she could have a fear of flying.
“I guess this is me.” I stop at the foot of the stairs.
“No, come up with me. I still have time until departure.” She grins. “We can have a drink.”
“Papa won’t like that, despite my attempts to prove my Russian ancestry.”
