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I just shook my head. “I don’t know why I'm here.”
It was the truth. Why I found myself here wasscary.But everything about Lazarus was scary. His kiss, his father, his haunting blue eyes.
“Well, I’m glad you are. You shouldn’t be walking around without an escort,” he growled and slid his arm around my shoulders. “Come on, let’s get you home, yeah?”
I just nodded, pressing against his warmth. I shouldn’t be taking comfort in this bodyguard, shouldn’t be taking strength in this Stidda Mafia family. Logan just dropped his arm and motioned me forward, scanning the grounds around us as we walked.
We said nothing this time, unable to battle the roar of the wind as the sky rumbled overhead. When I stepped through the doors of my own building, my ears were muffled and strange.
“You going to be okay here?” Concern filled Logan’s eyes as he stopped at the door.
“Yes.” I forced a smile. “Thank you, Logan.”
He just gave me a smile, a warm, friendly smile, not one filled with sick ideas and dark fantasies, just warmth, and kindness. “Stay safe, Kat. I’ll have a talk with the Commander and have another guard assigned to you.”
I just nodded, stepping into the elevator when it opened. I couldn’t wait to be warm. I couldn’t wait to besafe.I strode through the apartment, peering into Anna’s room. But she wasn’t here. A flicker of disappointment coursed through me.
My head throbbed from that bitch’s hold. I lifted my hand and probed the burning spot. Panic and pain mingled inside me. I needed to move, to dosomething.So I strode into my room, took off my cream Dior top, and shrugged out of my black slacks, changing into jeans and a cashmere sweater.
Desperation crowded my mind as I tugged the hem down and made my way into the kitchen. Memories crowded in from my life and for once, they weren’t dangerous. We didn’t talk to the help, didn’t pass so much as a command to even the servants who cleaned our bathrooms.
But when my father wasn’t around, I sometimes slipped into the kitchen. Careful glances, then our chef slid a perfectly pink cup and saucer my way. The hot chocolate was rich and delectable, complete with handmade marshmallows. Comfort food in its finest form. And that’s what I needed now.
I needed comfort. So I turned, gathered the supplies from the cupboard, and set to work, pouring milk into a pan and set it over a low heat. I busied myself adding ingredients and stirring, and lost myself in the movement. I caught a hum coming from my lips as the elevator doors opened and Anna stormed in.
Thunder broke overhead, crackling loudly. Anna flinched at the sound and walked past me.
“Hey, Anna?”
“Not now, Kat,” she snapped.
I stilled.Okay.“Whoa.” I lowered the spoon and came around the counter. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
The cold bite of anger in her tone stung. Anyone else I expected it,but not from her.“Something’s wrong,” I murmured, and reached for her.
The moment I touched her, she started to tremble, shuddering and quaking.
“Hey there.” I pulled her against me, desperately needing the touch as much as she did. Something was happening to me, something I didn’t understand. I was changing in this place, becoming real and vulnerable. I wasn’t the same woman who'd stepped off that boat onto the island, and that scared the fuck out of me. Then Anna lowered her head against my shoulder and let loose a whimper. “Hey now,” I soothed.
“What’s going on?” I pulled back to look into her eyes. “Talk to me.”
She just pinned me with those big brown eyes. I could see she was trying. The words welled up in her shimmering eyes, but she didn’t speak, she just stood there, gulping like a fish out of water.
“It’s the storm, isn’t it?” I said, giving her an out.
She slowly nodded, not looking toward the brooding clouds and the thundering skies even once.
“I knew it. I hate them, too. I hate that caged, restless feeling, hate how loud the wind sounds and how the windows tremble. But we're together now.”
She looked at me with so much hope, hope and desperation. Her fingers dug into my arm. I couldn’t stare into her eyes, not seeing the way she looked at me…if only she knew the truth of who I was...the dirty, disgusting truth.No. I couldn’t let her see me, not the way I was.
Lie!
That anguish roared.Lie.“And I’m going to stay. I told Damon if he wants to see me, he can come and stay here. I can’t leave my best friend alone, not anymore.”
Please don’t ask about him. Please don’t.
