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Holy fucking Hell. That thought just exploded into my head and I can’t push it out. I’m going to need something stronger than the water in my bottle. Maybe I’m delirious from the overexertion of the hike? I check my forehead, and this time there isn’t even a splatter of sweat. I’m going crazy, that has to be the answer. I heard there’s a psych ward for people a few hours from here…maybe I should check myself in.
My shoulders deflate and I lean back as if I’m trying to become one with the bench. I glance over, watching people board an orange boat that floats down the river in the opposite direction of the waterfall.
My spine stiffens. I swear I see Max standing there watching me. I have to look away and look back to be sure. The figure is gone.
I need to pack and leave. I stand and a bike almost runs me over as they zoom in front. “Sorry!” is called out as they continue on their way.
That’s when I decide I refuse to be on the run every time I get spooked. Maybe I should call Dante and double check he never told his brother anything. Damn it. I miss him too. And Throne of Sin. Even the bitchy girls there. They were slowly starting to come around to me.
I think they aren’t used to people staying long in their lives and it takes a long time for them to trust that a person will stick around before they put any effort into being friendly.
I proved them right by leaving.
Iglanceupthewooden stairway that leads back up and over the small mountain and my thighs instantly throb in protest. I won’t be going back that way. My hands push off my legs, which have become stiff from sitting, and head toward the windy road beside it.
Maybe a car will hit me, putting me out of my misery. A car comes around at a snail’s pace, expecting pedestrians on the road. They even give me a small wave as hello as they pass. That won’t be happening here.
The main road in town is closed for vehicles as I walk down the middle of it to stay out of the crowd. I venture back to the sidewalk for the liquor store and grab a six-pack of Molson Canadian beer, cracking the tab before I hit my apartment building. That same shiver as before dances down my spine. I’m starting to hate-yet-relish the feeling.
Groaning, I take a large gulp of the beer and head up toward my little apartment-style condo.
I kick off my shoes as I enter my place. This is the first time I’ve ever had a place I could say was mine. Before, my father owned the apartment I had, but only because I refused to stay at his clubhouse. Then Max set me up in the apartment.
I drop my empty beer on the counter and take my time downing the rest of the six pack while sitting on my couch, overlooking the mountains.
Like from earlier, I swear I see Max, this time in the shadows of my apartment. I really can’t get him out of my head. Sighing heavily, I close my eyes, allowing the alcohol to drag me off to a restless sleep, even though it’s early afternoon.
I wake up, my hand tingling, but I can’t move it. My eyes fly open to realize I’m tied down on my bed. “What the…” Max’s rough voice cuts through my words.
“Hello, Sienna. You need to listen or I’ll gag you.”
My throat works the collecting saliva down my throat as my eyes try to pierce him with tiny stabs all over that gorgeous face of his.
“I’m sorry,” he murmurs with finality.
He takes a seat at my feet, his hands touching and testing the rope while the bed dips beneath his weight.
“I wanted to save you from jail. Romeo tricked me and had me locked away so I couldn’t take your place. The moment I was free, I should have come to you. I fucked up.” He makes atsking sound and shakes his head. “But I want you to know that the time between was me trying to protect you. In one night, I had your father and husband disappear.” He glares as if the word husband tastes like acid in his mouth. “I wanted to have my story out there so no one could tangle my words and try to say it wasn’t me. I had no idea that the person I told my story to would take the fall for me. He stole my grand entrance, but I was also relieved because that meant I could spend the rest of my days with you.”
“How chivalrous of you.” I grit my teeth.
“I miss you,” he confesses, his voice soft and cautious, and his eyes shine with sincerity.
My body tenses and I rest my head on the pillow, refusing to meet his eye. If I wasn’t vibrating with anger over being tied up, I might go back to sleep and pretend he wasn’t here.
“I fucked up.” His tone is careful and he hesitates for a moment. “I’ve never loved anyone other than Romeo before. I’m trying to learn how I need to be acting. I even read some of your favorite books to see what the dudes in them do.”
“You can’t take someone else’s fictional life and try to make it your own, Max. You don’t have a heart. If you did, you would know what you need to do because the answer lies in there.”
His hand rests on my foot, his thumb brushing back and forth. “I’m going to win you back, Sienna. And when I do, I’m flying us back home.”
“Home. I don’t have one of those,” I scoff.
“You do. It’s in Texas.” I glance up at him and see him rolling his eyes with a frown before he says, “Dante misses his best friend.”
A sarcastic laugh bubbles out with his reaction. “I like him more than you.”
“Maybe, for now.” He frowns again. “And I’m forcing myself to be okay with it.”
