Just don’t leave.
And I won’t. My pride, my morals, my stubbornness—who knows, but I don’t leave. I lethispride suffocate me, restrict me, hold me back from making a choice that I may or may not regret.
Vinny arrives just after seven a.m. to pick me up. I lay awake for the last three hours, waiting for a semi-acceptable time to call him, and his expression as I climb into the front seat of the Audi is the exact reason I couldn’t call a taxi. I look like a mess.
“Good morning, Nina,” he says chirpily.
“I’m so sorry, Vinny. I know it’s a Sunday.” I do up my seat belt and settle in as he pulls out onto the deserted road.
“You can call me anytime, you know that, love.”
“Thank you. I couldn’t get a taxi in this.” I gesture to the oversized joggers and T-shirt I stole from Mason’s wardrobe.
“I’ve seen worse.” He winks.
I smile, leaning my head back against the seat, glad to be away from the penthouse but sad to leave Mason behind.
Vinny sits quiet, tapping his finger on the steering wheel whilst listening to the radio. I try to think of anything but the doubts in my head.
“Do you have a family, Vinny? A wife?”
“No. I’m better, happier alone.” He smiles, and I can tell he’s being genuine. He believes his words.
“I can relate to that,” I look up at him. “You don’t think one day though, if you found the right person?”
“It would take a saint to put up with me, Nina.”
“Because of your job? Having to rescue damsels in distress from raving lunatics at stupid hours of the day?”
“Exactly that,” he chuckles. “And then some.”
“Well, I think any woman would be lucky to have you. You’re a catch, you know,” I say, elbowing him in the arm.
His phone starts to ring throughout the car, and Mason’s name lights up the screen.
“I’m presuming he doesn’t know you left.” He eyes me, letting it ring for the third time.
I shake my head. “You can answer it.”
He accepts the call, his expression stony. “Mason.”
“Vinny.”
I close my eyes at the sound of his ragged breath. I picture him tearing through the penthouse, searching for me.
“I need Nina’s number. She took off this morning and Scar’s just called, the doctor is coming out to see Dad, I need to go to the estate.”
Guilt eats at me, and in the cold light of day I second-guess myself.
Did I overreact?
Is his dad okay?
I look to Vinny, swallowing hard.
I wish I didn’t leave.
“I will send the number now. Mason, calm down. Do you need me to drive you out?”
