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I’m not leaving him.
I practically sprint back through the airport the way I came, my certainty growing with every step. This is the right choice.
This is my choice.
Because when do I get to call the shots in my own life? I never really have. My dad was in charge when I was young, making his deal with the FBI that sent us to the other side of the country without any input from me whatsoever. Ever since, the Barrettis have been the biggest influence over my life. They are the reason that I was always on edge and ready to run. The reason that I lived in fear for so many years.
But I’m sick of running. Hiding. Letting other people push me around. I won’t do it anymore. It’s my life, to spend however I want.
I choose a life with him.
I hightail out of the terminal and jump in a cab, giving the address for Nero’s club. My heart is pounding now, with excitement and nerves.
If he thinks this is over, he’s got another thing coming. I’m not going to make it so easy on him. He wants to be the asshole to drive me away? Then, he’s going to have to up his game. Because I’m coming to fight for what I want.
And this time, I’m going to win.
The ride flies by,and soon, we’re pulling up at the bar. I tumble out of the cab and burst inside, not slowing as I race to his office. I’m fired up, and ready for the confrontation, for Nero to flip his shit, but when I throw his office door open, the room is empty.
Dammit.
I pause, thinking fast.
“Lily?”
I turn, it’s Avery, looking surprised to see me. “I thought you’d be sipping champagne in first class by now,” she says, offering me a sympathetic smile.
I shake my head. “Have you seen Nero?”
“He just left,” she says. “He was heading to the site, then home.”
I smile. “Thank you!” I call back to her, already flying down the hallway and out the back door.
I hurry down the steps into the grimy alleyway, then stop, happy to see Kyle loitering on his usual cigarette break. “Hey,” I greet him.
He does a double take. “Oh shit,” he says, with a grin. “Trouble’s back in town. I told the boss it wouldn’t be so easy to get rid of you.”
“It seems like you’re the only one not underestimating me.” I smile.
“Yeah, that seems like a recipe for disaster.” He drops his cigarette, and stubs it out with his heel. “You need a ride? I’d like to see the look on his face—”
BANG.
Out of nowhere, a bullet hits him, square in the forehead. Kyle’s blood paints the wall behind him. He slumps to the ground, eyes still open, but not seeing anything.
Dead.
My jaw drops. What the fuck just happened?
I stand frozen in shock, not believing my eyes. Then my instincts override everything.
I scream, lurching away from the body. The bullet came from behind me. I start to turn to see who’s there, who did this, but before I can, something heavy hits the back of my head.
A blinding pain shoots through me. My knees buckle and darkness floods my mind.
I’m unconscious before I hit the ground.
