“You didn’t go on holiday—you left because he sold the studio?”
“Yes, but don’t mistake my cowardliness for anything but that. When the time came, he did what he had to do. I should have stood by him.” He drops his head, staring at the pavement.
This is ridiculous. “Please, just tell me what’s going on. Erin is acting differently, and I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”
“I can’t tell you because it’s not for me to say, and Mason believes it’s not his story to tell either.” He grimaces as I step back from him. “Give him your trust and the rest will come.”
“You do understand how utterly impossible that is right now?”
He shrugs. “Where are you going, Nina?”
I shake my head, not having a clue but knowing I need the space. From everyone. “I don’t know.”
“Do you want company?” he calls to my retreating back.
“No.”
“But you will call, if you need anything?”
I nod my head. It’s impossible to stay mad at Vinny.
29
Mase
Charlie sitson my sofa with his head cradled in his hands while Elliot stands, staring at me in utter disbelief. I lean back against the window with my hands shoved deep in my pockets, giving them the time they need to process what I’ve just told them.
“When?” Charlie snaps, not lifting his head.
“That redhead I picked up in Melders the start of last year.”
“You pick up all the fucking time. You’re telling me it has been over twelve months?”
I nod once, and he visibly tenses. “Who the fuck have I been tracking?” he roars, his face hardening.
“I called them off.”
“You called them off,” he repeats my words, laughing sarcastically. His lip curls in disgust, but it’s nothing I didn’t expect. “More like you paid them off. Every week, I get that text, and you’re telling me it’s utter bollocks!”
“Mate, I—”
“Fuck off, Lowell.”
“That’s fucked,” Elliot mutters, running his hand across his mouth.
“I know.”
“Why are you telling me this now?”
Charlie’s always been smart. He’s intuitive and doesn’t miss a trick.
“I didn’t know how you’d react if it came out. I didn’t want you blindsided.”
He sniggers under his breath and stands. “So someone has threatened you?”
“Not directly, but the night Lance showed up here, Cara, the redhead from Melders.” I run my tongue across my teeth as I spit her name. “She overheard us talking in the office.”
“She knows?” His brow furrows and he twists to face me.
