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PROLOGUE
Mason
Iclimb from my Bentley and look up at the home I grew up in. Stare at the curved terrace I ran around and around as a boy. At the ivy creeping over the granite walls. Before I think too much about it, before I let the memories send me in the other direction, I make my way up the steps, stealing a full breath into my lungs as I walk inside.
The house is veiled in darkness, and a shiver snakes down my spine as I reach blindly for the switch in the main entrance, lighting up the grand sweeping staircase.
“Scar?” I call out cowardly, hoping she’ll hear and come to the door.
She’s never liked the dark, and yet the heavy gloom filling the corridors of our childhood home seems to reflect our reality too well.
I swallow thickly and walk to the stairs, knowing she’s not on the lower level.
My hand skims over the handrail, memories not just of a boy coming back to me, but memories from only a couple of weeks ago, when we were all here, together at the ball.
It was the first time I truly believed Nina and I could make it back to one another. I danced with her to no music that night, and no matter how hard it had been to be back here in this house, right now, with Nina lay in a hospital bed, I’d give anything to go back to that night—barefoot at three a.m.
I make my way down the west wing, crossing to Scarlet’s bedroom. There’s a chance she’s not home, but with the way she left the hospital looking so utterly lost, I can’t imagine she’d go anyplace else.
As I reach her room, I see the soft glow of light gleaming from inside. I push on the closed door and find her. Exactly where I thought she’d be. And maybe it’s the lack of sleep or the fact I almost lost my fiancée this week, but as I take in my sister’s sleeping form, I’m hit with so many emotions all at once. I lose myself to them.
I frown, then shake my head.
Scarlet is curled up on the bed, the covers pulled tight around her, the material clutched in her fists. And behind her, lay atop the bed sheets with a thin throw covering his lower body, Charlie Aldridge sleeps.
He must sense my presence and awakens, lifting his head and catching me in the doorway.
“Fuck,” he mutters, rubbing at his eyes with one hand.
Scarlet rouses, rolling over slightly before she sits up in a rush, looking at me then at Charlie and then back to me again. “Is it Nina? Is she okay?”
I nod quickly, feeling like I’ve swallowed the necessary words. “She’s great. Just sleepy still. Luce is with her.”
Our friends haven’t slept in days, and I know what happened has hit them all hard.
Scarlet’s shoulders drop, and then she looks down at the man at her side, giving him a small sad smile. “You should get home. You don’t have to stay.”
Charlie stares back at her, something—a question or assessment of some kind passing between them.
My friend looks up at me with not an ounce of judgement in his eyes and asks, “Are you staying the night?”
I open my mouth to speak, but—
“He’ll need to get back to Nina,” Scarlet answers for me.
Charlie eases off the bed, giving me a nod. “I’m staying the night,” he tells me.
He reaches for his phone on the nightstand and stops as he passes me, grasping me on the back. “She’s okay?”
I try to clear my throat but end up nodding in answer.
He sighs and gives me a small victory smile.
Once Charlie’s gone, I bring my eyes back to Scarlet. She drops her head, looking at the bed to avoid my gaze. “Are things really that bad?” she whispers.
I frown, clenching my jaw until my teeth ache.
“You’re here,” she adds when I don’t answer, and I know if she put any grit behind it, her voice would’ve cracked. “It’s really that bad, Mase, isn’t it?” She covers her face and cries.
