pushes her way in and pulls me in for a hug, rubbing circles on my back and saying softly, “I’ll help you with your things.”
“You’re really sending me back?”
My voice is but a whisper because I can’t believe it’s come to this. She pulls back and shakes her head. “Of course, we’re not sending you back. You’re going to face your fear with a warrior beside you.”
“What?”
I sit on the bed in disbelief and she takes the space beside me and squeezes my hand. “Maverick told Ryder you were leaving first thing in the morning. He is setting everything in place now. I’m to help you pack and make sure you get a good night’s sleep because it’s some trip you’re heading on.”
“Where are we going?” I almost don’t want to know and I can’t believe that Maverick is coming too.
Shaking her head, Ashton says with pity laced through her voice, “I don’t know. They don’t tell me the details, but wherever it is, it’s resolving your situation.”
“But Maverick, he was so angry. Why is he helping me?”
“Only he knows the answer to that. I know Ryder told me it’s difficult for him. Whatever his problem, it’s deep rooted and concerns the mafia. Ryder told me that he never gets involved with anything concerning the mafia but wouldn’t say why. This will be hard for him, honey, so go a little easy and he’ll tell you what you need to know when he’s good and ready.”
Now I feel even worse and she puts her arm around me and says reassuringly. “He’s a good guy under that rough exterior. Trust him and you’ll be fine. Do whatever he says because he will only have your best interests at heart.”
“Will I come back?” I fear her answer because I’m not ready to face the outside world and this place is the only one I feel safe.
“I’m sure you will but it will be because you want to. Who knows where your journey is going to end but if it’s right back here, then you can expect a welcome home party? If not, then I’ll miss you. We all will but none more than Cassie and Caspian. I hope you do come back because I like having you around. We could be good friends and this place is not as scary as you think it is.”
For a moment we just sit in silence as I try to process the turn of events. Where are we going? I have my suspicions and if it’s what I fear, then god help me.
20
Maverick
I haven’t slept; I haven’t eaten, and I haven’t got the guts to tell Sophia where we’re heading.
Romano. How that name makes the blood freeze in my veins. I knew it would be them. Fate’s a bitch and has dealt me a low blow that I’m not sure what to do about. Do I tell Sophia and risk her walking away, or do I wing it and hope I can sort this without washing my dirty laundry in public?
As soon as she told me, it sent me wild. I fell on her like a savage beast because it was instinctive. I wanted to brand her as mine in a desperate attempt to keep her but how can I? She’s right, this is bigger than both of us and I’m not sure I’ll be able to save her this time. Am I prepared to unlock my own demons, to chase hers away? Do I love her that much? We’ve just met and yet it’s as if we’ve always known we would arrive at this point. I have been running from this and thought I’d arrived at a safe place. I will never be free—of them and a past that haunts my future. Fuck me, I need a drink.
As I dress, I distract the bitter taste in my mouth by picturing Sophia. What must she be thinking? I was so cold for a reason. She will soon discover why I must be that way, but she will be hurt and disappointed in me. Maybe she should be. Maybe she should hate me for what I’m about to do. I hate myself and I hate where I’m heading.
As I look in the mirror, I shiver that runs deep inside. He’s back. I don’t do mafia, but that’s a joke because the person staring back at me is mafia through and through. From the pulled slicked back hair, to the dark tailored suit. A black shirt with a