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Or did.
No, this fire is a setback. And Christian—I can’t go there. But as I cast him a look, I wonder if I’ve been wrong, if it’s not just owning me or a big notch, but something more.
Again, I can’t go there. Instead, I think about the future, a work future, one where I turn the place into my ultimate dream. I can see a string of burlesque clubs, old school style. Feathers and sensuality and people dressed up to see.
When we pull up my brother is waiting, my father, too. I just leave them to it, and Christian haunts my thoughts.
I grab a soda and head back, hand on the door when I hear my name. I pause.
“Two notes?” My father says. “Leo told me about the first, but the second?”
“Good thing I stepped in when I did,” says Christian. “I’ve been having her watched since she refused to let me stay first time and she used to stay after hours.”
Something slams. And then Leo speaks. “She could have been there.”
“No,” says Christian, “she never knew I had her tailed to an inch of her life. I told you I’d keep her safe, by any means possible.”
My father growls. “You should have married her.”
I’ve heard enough. Tears burn in my throat as I turn and stalk off.
All a game, I think. All a fucking game.
To keep me safe.
I hate Christian.
With everything I am.
ChapterTwenty
Christian
I talk more with Leo and his father, talking them down from coming with me. My fight, my woman. I don’t add the last part.
No. Instead, I just say we need to make sure Mia doesn’t do something stupid and since it’s fucking Mia, it’ll take the small army that’s them to keep her safe and in one place when I’m gone.
“I should go,” says Leo.
Raising my brows, I look at him. “I didn’t tell Mia, but Reaper and Angel have a lead, and I’ve got Diego and Tizio out on it.”
Someone opens the door, but I keep my gaze on Leo.
“I’m joining with Nicolo, Leo, and you can’t stop me. We’re going to get him, bring him down. We know it’s this fucking Frank.” And I want to kill him.
“You need someone to keep you in line,” says Theo, who came in a few minutes ago. He leans against the wall, face ice. “Like me.”
I shake my head. “I can do this.”
Leo glares. “Take Theo.”
“Fine.” I know when I’m beaten, and the longer we argue, the more time is wasted. “Let’s go.”
We head out the door of the room and down the hall to the foyer. I come to a stop. Mia is sitting on the third step leading upstairs, can of soda by her side and her phone in her hands.
“Sweetness?”
“Ellie’s mom called. She’s awake. I want . . . I want to see her.” She’s looking at me like I betrayed her.
