what can I do about this? Why does this...hurt so much?
This felt like more than just a betrayal. It felt like all the years of trust meant nothing. All because I couldn't be like them.
Be special like them.
"If I was important, you would validate my worth with your actions and not your empty words."
A tear fell then, followed by another, and by the way his guard fell completely, I knew it hurt Otis. I knew if I didn't leave his space, he'd never let me go. He'd wrap me in his arms like he and the others always did when I cried.
It was always protective, or a way to apologize for what had been done, but this wasn't something that could easily be fixed. They would leave in the morning, and who knew if six months would actually end up being a year, or two.
Or a few decades until I aged and faded away.
That was the most sensitive topic of them all. Death itself. In less than eighty years, if I was even granted that long, I would die, and they would live on for many centuries — together.
They would mourn me, and then they would move on. They could find someone to replace me. Someone like them. Someone they could proudly have at their side and take to their public events.
She'd be beautiful, powerful, and the talk of the town. She'd be able to take down the walls I'd put up and love one of them.
Maybe all of them.
I could be replaced, and that was what hurt me the most.
"Cassandra." Otis's voice was pleading with me, and I was sure he sensed where my mind was taking me. Vampires could feel others' emotions if they had a close connection with them, but he wouldn't know exactly how I felt unless he drank my blood.
Something he promised he'd never do.
I moved away from the wall, walking past him and toward the table where the others were in deep conversation. My arrival got their attention, only for the four of them to see the tears that rolled down my face as I grabbed my purse and stormed to the door.
"What the—" Tristan called out.
"Cass!" Dominick yelled.
"You told her here?" Adonis snapped, but I was out the door of the restaurant before I could hear the rest.
I had to think fast, knowing Otis could be here any second. My eyes scanned the streets, landing on the Uber that had just let someone out. Rushing over to the car, I hopped right in and closed the door.
"Hi. Uh...can you take me to Evander Manor on 5th Street? I can pay cash, but I'm in a tight situation. Do you also have one of those fancy buttons that block supernaturals from getting in the car?"
It was a new function that was being transitioned to all rideshare cars so that those who could teleport or had super speed couldn't get free transportation.
The man wearing all black looked over his shoulder to peer at me.
"Sure."
He reached out and pressed a button before he entered the coordinates to my address.
"It'll be extra since I was on my way to pick another client."
"Sure," I agreed, and relaxed against the seat. With a sigh, I looked at my sparkling red dress and the mini purse in my hand.
My tears fell then, and I held back the sob that threatened to escape. I missed those assholes already and I'd just left.
How am I going to survive six months without my sexy crew? I can...I know I can, but what if they truly don't come back?
"Ma'am. Would you like some music?" the driver inquired.
"Sure." I didn't care what I listened to now. My mind was a mess and I seriously wished to zone out and not think about the inevitable.
The soft melody began to flow through the speakers of the black car. I noticed the clean leather seats and the odd scent of cologne. The music was doing its job, my body beginning to relax as I settled back into the seat.
My head throbbed like I was getting a migraine, something I rarely got but when I did, life sucked. It must have been due to the overwhelming emotions from what had happened, but it grew worse and worse.
"Why does my head hurt so bad?" I whispered weakly, feeling sick to my stomach.
"Are you alright, ma'am? Rest. I will let you know when we're at your destination."
I was sure we should have already reached the street by now. The restaurant we