“Is that what you did?”
She doesn’t answer me, and I worry my tone might have given me away. “At first it wasn’t a choice. He is a dangerous man, Nina. I did what I had to. You can’t give him the control, and you have to use this against him and not let him get the upper hand. I wasn’t smart, and now I’m on the other side of the world.”
She’s in Australia because of Mason?
“How long have you known him?”
“Since… wait. What has he told you?” she asks defensively.
I close my eyes and panic. What do I say to that? “I know about the piano.”
“The piano.” She laughs, and it’s cold and detached. “I will never know how I pulled that off.”
“Erin—”
“Will you stop fucking calling me that!” she snaps. “Do you have any idea how much harder you make my life just by calling me? And pretending to know something you don’t… that’s dumb, Nina. I thought you were smarter. If I were you, I’d get out whilst you can. Don’t call me again.”
“No! Please, wait!” The line goes dead, and I clench my fists until my nails bite into my palm.
“Why can’t anyone tell me the damn truth!” I seethe out loud.
“Nina.”
I close my eyes upon hearing Vinny’s voice, my head beginning to pound. “Unless you’re going to tell me what the hell is going on, leave me alone.”
“I always knew you were strong, from that first day I met you.”
I glare towards him. “I don’t want your voice of reason crap right now, Vinny. You won’t win me over today.”
“I’m not trying to. I just want you to know that it wouldn’t make you weak if you went home. He doesn’t see it yet.”
“He doesn’t see what yet?” I snap.
“Your strength. He thinks he does, but your true strength, deep down inside of you, from the years of hurt at the hands of your mum.” He looks at me in knowing, and I’m reminded that Vinny was the one who looked me up for Mason. He probably knows more than anyone. “When he sold your studio I felt disappointed in him—it’s why I left. I felt for you, and I tried to stop him, but he was blinded by the need to keep you safe. It was stupid. It didn’t protect you at all, and you’re not in any danger now. What he did was irrational and impulsive, but he wouldn’t change what he’s done, and I respect him for that. He is a good man, Nina. His heart is in the right place.”
“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’ll call, if you need anything?”
I nod my head. It’s impossible to stay mad at Vinny.
TWENTY-NINE
