From the corner of my eye, I noted how Vince shifted on the spot before I glanced toward the gun on his hip, and the attachment for it in his hand.
I gulped. “Oh...”
“I am sorry that you were brought in over...trivial matters.” He didn’t have to look toward the window for everyone in the room to know that pause was for Roxy. Another warm smile slipped onto his face as he gestured to the door. “You’re free to go.”
I straightened. “That’s—that’s it?”
“It is.”
I stood awkwardly as Vince pulled the office doors open behind me. I wasn’t entirely sure what to say to Antonio.
Should I thank him?
“Vince will take you home,” Antonio added, dropping the black folder into a garbage can beside his desk.
“Oh, um, that won’t be necessary. Dean already knows where I am.” I said, ignoring the quiet scoff from Roxy.
“Ah,” Antonio nodded before picking up a small remote from his desk and pressing the button in its center. “The gates are open.”
I smiled, breathing out the remaining tension from my chest before I left. Without Vince, I made my way back down the hallway, feeling lighter than ever compared to moments ago. I didn’t completely relax or slow my pace until I walked out of the mansion completely. Following the curve of the driveway, its white gravel crunching beneath my shoes, I only felt the relief flood through my veins once the open gates came into view.
I heard the engine first. The sound rippled through the air with urgency, long before the Cadillac pulled off the road with considerable speed. The sharp turn scattered gravel out from beneath the tires before the car straightened out and sped toward me. It came to a stop several feet away before the engine was shut off and Dean flung his door open, his face set with an icy glare as he strode for me, trailing his eyes over my body, searching for injury.
I breathed out. “Dean—”
“Are you hurt?” He cupped my face but continued to check me over. “What did he want? Did he threaten you?”
“I’m fine.” I took hold of his wrists, trying to get him to focus on my face. “Antonio knows about my dad and only wanted to know if I’d told him anything.”
He looked past me, and his eyes narrowed. “Why’s Roxy’s car here? Did she have somethin’ to do with this? I swear to god—”
I grabbed his face this time, forcing him to look down. “Dean. I’m okay.”
His nostrils flared but he took a breath, his gaze softening as he searched my face. Then he rested his forehead on mine.
“You scared the shit out of me,” he whispered.
I stroked his taut jawline with my thumbs. “I’m sorry.”
He closed his eyes with a sigh, unclenching his jaw. “Stay at my place tonight... Please,” his voice cracked.
When he opened his eyes again, I found vulnerability looking right back.
“Okay,” I whispered. "Okay."
Chapter 55
Lily
We drove back to my apartment first so I could pack an overnight bag. Kira wasn’t home, but I sent her a text explaining where I would be. And she responded with a winky face.
The drive to Dean's house was comfortably silent, paired with a few quick glances from him as if to check I was still okay. Which I was, mostly.
He parked the Cadillac inside the detached garage at the back of his house. Car parts, engine parts, tires, and tools made up most of the organized clutter along the walls and shelves. At the back of the garage was a workbench and several abandoned woodwork projects.
Once he locked the garage, we went inside via the wheelchair ramp at the back door. The second the back door opened, we were greeted by Bella, the tiny puppy he had told me about. She jumped around our feet as we stepped inside, and wiggled from head to toe with excitement.
“Aren’t you a little cutie,” I smiled, placing my overnight bag on the floor as I crouched down to say hello. Bella immediately rolled onto her back, and I tickled her chin and tummy.
