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I laughed, the kind of laugh that you do when you’re not sure what to say, so just any kind of noise feels like a reply. Luckily, Kian asking for a drink distracted me from Aida. Not so luckily, Bailey was right there with a cup of juice, doting on him in the same way she always did.
“I have some toys inside for you too,” Bailey said, crouching down.
I groaned, dipping my head back. “Bailey.” Shaking my head, I tried my hardest to admonish her but it was so hard when I knew she was just wanting some happiness in her life, determined to bring some light into her darkness. I wished I could have the same drive as she did, but since I saw Travis at the store—
Fuck. No. Don’t think about him.
“What?” Bailey asked, fluttering her lashes at me like she had no idea what she was doing. She may have been ten years younger than me, but she’d lived more life than most forty-year-olds. “They’re basically my nephews at this point so…”
Nephew.
I didn’t hear anything else she said because my ears popped, my body going burning hot as the yard started to spin around me. I grabbed on to the edge of the table, trying to keep myself steady, but it was no use because her words had set off the deluge of memories I’d managed to keep away since I’d walked out here.
But now they were there, refusing to leave. Playing like a highlight reel in my mind, getting louder and louder the more that went by.
“I…” I stood, interrupting Bailey who frowned at me. “I need to use the bathroom.” It was the only thing I could think of to do. I needed to get away, even just for a few minutes. “Can you watch the boys?”
“Sure.” Bailey stepped forward, placing her hand on my arm, and I couldn’t help but flinch. “You okay, Peyton?”
Nodding, I clipped out, “I’m good,” then maneuvered past her and into the house. There was a small bathroom downstairs, but it was too close to everyone, so I moved into the living room and upstairs to use the bigger bathroom that I used the other day when I needed to change Reed.
My breaths came a little faster as I beelined for it, taking the stairs two at a time. I nearly tripped over the front of my dress at one stage because I was moving too fast, but it didn’t stop me, nothing would stop me, not until I was safely in the bathroom with the door locked.
I placed my palm on the back of the door, trying to get my body and mind under control, but nothing was working. Nothing was pushing the memories away.
Nephew. They were nephews to my older brother. The only man in this world that I’d trusted, but that was before…
“Peyton?” I grinned at the sound of Ace’s voice. It had only been the last couple of years that it had deepened so much more, but now that he was twenty, it was deeper than our father’s used to be.
“Yeah?” I called, hearing his footsteps on the stairs. I closed my folder that all of my homework was in, deciding I could finish it off tomorrow.
“Where you at?” He sounded panicked.
“Bedroom,” I called, standing up and stretching. My bedroom was the smallest room in our house, not that I was complaining because twelve months ago we didn’t have anywhere to live, but Ace had worked his butt off to get us some stability after what happened with Dad.
I winced, hating how my thoughts were so intrusive at the most random of times. I didn’t want to think about the fact that my dad had gone against someone in the organization and it had cost him his life. The same organization that Ace didn’t have a choice but to become part of.
He appeared in my bedroom doorway, all six foot four of him, his T-shirt clinging to his toned muscles. “I need you to stay home this weekend.” His lips were in a straight line, his anger clear to see reflected in his green eyes.
“Why?” I tilted my head to the side, partly frustrated that it meant I had to stay in when I had plans. What fifteen-year-old girl didn’t have plans? They may not have been important, but still, I had plans to go to the mall.
Ace shook his head, his big-brother mode setting in. “Just stay here. I’ve gotta go away and won’t be back until Sunday.” He paused, running his hand through his hair and staring off into the distance. I hated it when he was gone. My security disappeared the moment I knew he wasn’t able to get to me quick enough, just like the night men had broken into our house and put five bullets in my dad’s body right in front of me—two in the head and three in the chest.
“I don’t like it,” I whispered, feeling my shoulders sag and the anxiety kick in.
“I know.” He stepped forward, placing his large hands on my shoulders. “You’ll be safe, I promise.” He dipped down so his face was level with mine. “Trav will come and stay with you. He’ll make sure you’re safe.”
My stomach rolled when I thought about my brother’s best friend, Travis. His dark and broody looks and minimal words drew me to him. I had a crush, but only since he’d started to smile at me. I perked up a little, determined to make the most of this weekend now that I knew he’d be with me.
“Okay. But make sure you’re safe too. I…I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You’ll never have to find that out, P.”
I clutched my chest, hearing his words echoing in my ears as if he was standing right here with me. He lied. I was having to live my life as if he didn’t exist. I was having to run not just from Travis, but from him too. Because if he found me….it didn’t bear thinking about.
Ace had spent years and years climbing the ranks, and now he was at the very top, the one in charge, just like the man who was sitting outside with his wife next to him.
How had I run away from one organization, just to find myself living next to another? In a white-picket-fence neighborhood like this of all places.
