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I take out my phone and call my uncle.
Chapter43
Serenity
“Hey there, you sound sick.” Harper’s voice is filled with the concern and warmth I need right now. “Are you okay?”
“No.”Sickis the right word to describe how I feel, but I’m not sick in the way Harper has assumed. I’m sick of all the lies. That includes the lies I’ve been telling her.
“What’s going on?”
“There’s just so much.” My voice breaks and I slump against the wall.
I’m in the breakroom. At work, of all the places I could be. There’s only three people working at the gallery today. I shouldn’t have been one of them.
Weeks ago, I booked the day off for Natalie’s engagement party, but I needed to get away from the apartment after the bomb Dante dropped on me earlier. I couldn’t stay. Dante left in a literal cloud of dust and I didn’t know where he was going. Or if he would bring my father’s head back for me in a bag.
I got here half an hour ago and started working. Then I realized I couldn’t even distract myself by painting. What I needed was to hear my best friend’s voice. Or better yet, I needed to talk to her. Reallytalkto her and tell her the truths I’ve been keeping hidden away in my heart.
“What’s happened now? Your father isn’t trying to force another Matthew on you is he?” I can almost see her rolling her eyes in disgust. When the scandal hit with Matthew she wanted to do a zoom call and celebrate with virtual champagne.
“No, it’s worse than that.” I bite back tears but it doesn’t work. They come and I cry. “Do you have time to talk?”
“Always for you. Serenity, please tell me what’s happening.” Her voice ripples with static and I hope I don’t lose the signal. “Is it Dante?”
“Yes.”
“What’s happening with him?”
“I have to tell you some stuff.” This is probably the worse idea in the world and I know I’m breaking the contract and the standard terms and conditions of common sense, but I need to talk to somebody. “It’s stuff I need you to keep it quiet. No one must ever, ever know.”
“Jesus. This sounds serious.” Worry laces through her words.
“It is.” I wipe away tears and triple check that no one is around. “I need you to promise me you’ll keep everything I tell you next a secret.”
“Of course. You know everything you tell me stays with me.”
“I know. This is just the biggest secret I’ve ever needed you to keep.” I swallow and it feels like there are rocks in my throat.
“You never have to worry about me telling anyone anything. I’ve kept your secret about Dante so far, haven’t I?”
I nod even though she can’t see me. “You have.”
“Okay, then spill it sister.” Trust Harper to try and sound upbeat. It’s on my account. An attempt to cheer me up.
I inhale a big gulp of air and summon the courage it will take to come clean. Then I do. I tell her everything. Everything.
“That’s it.” I stutter. “That’s what’s been happening here.”
“My God.” Her voice is a breathy whisper. “Why didn’t you tell me before?”
“I couldn’t. Things have just escalated in a terrible way and now I don’t know what’s going to happen. My father is…”
“Not the man you thought he was,” she fills in.
“No. Nothing is what I thought it was.” I feel so fucking foolish. Just like earlier when I tried to explain where I found that thing Dante was holding.
I can still see his face. Pale and angry. Shocked and confused.
