It’s then that Blake’s face breaks open. Her tears falling with full force. Throwing herself at me, she wraps her arms around me, desperation clawing out of her. “Please don’t hate me.”
“Hate you?” I hug her back.
“She was here. I told her everything. She went… to save Jesse.”
My arms fall away. “She went where?”
“To Sarah,” Jesse answers, knowing his sister wouldn’t be able to articulate the words.
My feet stumble backward and I keep the momentum, moving into my gym to lose myself. To give myself a second of reprieve from the walls closing in.
Fists clenched, I scream into the small space that has always offered me sanctuary. I can see myself in the floor to ceiling mirror. I don’t even recognize the man staring back at me. Not anymore. Energy bursting through me, I slam my fists against the lone bag hanging from the ceiling. I hit it again and again and again. Until my body gives out and I fall against it, hugging it to keep me upright.
She went, willingly, to a mother that won’t protect her, into the arms of a man that is hellbent on hurting her. For what? Me?
“She loves you.”
I startle at Jesse’s voice, brushing at the tears that had escaped during my meltdown.
“She wanted to do it.”
“She didn’t need to.” My voice sounds like scrapped metal.
“That’s not the point,” Jesse argues.
I move toward him, thumb rubbing over the swell of his eye socket. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Absolutely,” he assures me. “Sarah would’ve come for her eventually, Rocco. All she wants in this world is to cause Dominic heartache.”
“Come here.” I call out to Blake, who’s standing just outside the space, unsure of her welcome.
She steps toward me tentatively. I pull her into my body, hugging her tightly. Hoping like hell I’m reassuring her that I’m not mad. That I understand. That I don’t blame them for any of this.
This was all Sarah Rein.
“I gotta make a phone call.”
I ain’t ever felt heartbreak like this. I ain’t ever felt pain like this. But then again, an unyielding hate lives inside me, it makes sense that it lives within her too. I think that’s where most of my pain comes from, knowing I gave her the shittiest parts of who I am.
Tears dripping down her cheeks, her chin wobbles.
“Hey,” I reassure her, forcing a smile. “It’s all good, kid. You’re a survivor, you did what you needed to. I respect the hell outta you for it.”
“It was before I knew you,” she sobs, hands rubbing together in front of her, making her look like the lost child she is.
I step forward, my hand gripping her chin. I can’t determine if it’s her jaw shaking or my hand. “I get it. You got nothin’ to explain to me, Blake. You did good.”
She attempts to shake her head, my hand keeping her in place. “Look at me.”
Eyes squeezed shut, her tears tumble out in rivers, the lump in my throat growing thicker with every droplet that falls.
“Blake.” I wait. “Look at me.”
Her eyes open reluctantly. “Meeting you and Jesse has been the greatest part of my life.”
“They’ll kill you,” she cries.
I swallow the acid of that reality down. “Maybe.” I don’t lie. She’s not stupid. She knew the outcome when she set it in motion.
It’s the only way. I’m not leaving Camryn to fight that hell alone.
“There has to be something we can do.”
I look to my son, the rush of hysteria blinking back at me. “Just don’t go,” he urges. “I’ve seen this guy. He’s a fucking loose cannon. He’ll shoot you on sight, you’re too much of a threat. We just got you back.”
Ain’t that a knife wound I wasn’t ready for.
“I have to,” I tell him quietly.
“They’ll kill Camryn anyway,” Blake attests. “Sarah wants to hurt Dominic, she knows the only way to do that is through the girls.”
The air leaves my lungs.
She’s not wrong.
I can’t even guarantee she’s alive right now.
“Camryn wouldn’t want you to do this. That’s why she left on her own accord. To save you.”
“Ain’t her battle to fight,” I argue weakly.
“Let’s just go,” Blake implores. “The three of us. We’ll start a new life somewhere else. A fresh start.”
“She’ll come for you,” I yell, startling them both.
Taking a breath, I quell the beast inside of me. “Sarah won’t stop. This is the only way I know you’ll be safe. You made a deal with the Devil, Blake, and I’m gonna make