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LILY
My bruises heal,and in a couple of days, I barely have a mark to show for my near-death experience. Nero is wary, but I’m determined to carry on as normal.
I’m not just hiding away, waiting for the next disaster to strike.
“If I stay home, they’ll think you’re running scared,” I point out, packing for art class on Monday morning.
“I am scared,” Nero says grimly. “I’m fucking terrified they’ll come after you again.”
“Who says I was the target?” I shoot back. I’ve been cooped up for days, and I need a taste of real life again. “I’ve never been to the site before, but you’re there all the time. They were probably planning to kill you, and just got me by mistake.”
“Gee, comforting,” Nero grumbles, but he doesn’t stop me leaving, as long as I promise to keep Kyle close and informed of my whereabouts at all times.
“I promise,” I reassure him. “I’ll be fine.”
But as I go about my classes in school, I know that’s not exactly true. I didn’t want to add to Nero’s worries, but I’m not as confident as I seemed. The elevator incident has shaken me, but more than that, I can see it’s shaken Nero too.
And nothing rattles that man.
So is this potential war with the Kovacks what’s on his mind? He’s been acting distant again. The night of my near-death experience, I hoped that we reached a turning point. Being so thoroughly terrified has a way of putting things into perspective.
But the next day, I could feel him pull away from me. It’s disheartening, but when I look into his eyes, I can see the worry there. I just don’t think he knows how to deal with it.
And neither do I.
I can’t stop thinking about the danger lurking around every corner, the threat that comes with the Barretti life. I knew that deep down that pretending to be normal with Nero couldn’t last. As much as the fantasy of George and Mary was fun to joke about, it’s just that:
A fantasy.
No matter how much I wish our biggest stresses were bickering over whose turn it is to do the dishes, or how to deal with an annoying neighbor, that’s not the kind of life we lead.
The question is, will it ever be? Nero was convinced that striking this deal with the Kovacks and turning legit would remove the threat and herald a new era for the Barretti organization, but this latest attack makes me wonder.
Is this what life will always be like: A new danger lurking around every bend?
I make it through my class, hating that I’m wasting this opportunity to learn about my craft because my mind is a jumble of thoughts that I can’t seem to control. I’m walking out to the quad alone when my cell phone rings.
It’s Juliet. I brighten. “Hey there,” I answer. “Ready for girls’ night part two already?”
She laughs. “Absolutely, although I didn’t have a hangover to deal with. Mara was grumbling all through work the next day in dark sunglasses.”
I smile. “I’m sure she looked amazing. That woman has great style.”
“She does. The new collection is in large part down to her,” Juliet adds. “Are you guys confirmed for tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow?” I echo, confused.
“The Sterling Cross party,” Juliet reminds me. “To show off our latest collection in style.”
Oh, right.
“I’m sorry,” I wince. “It completely slipped my mind.”
“That’s OK, I know the last couple of weeks have been a little overwhelming…”
“A little?” I chuckle. “Don’t worry, we’ll be there.”
“Nero’s gracing us with his presence?” Juliet sounds surprised.
