There’s tension in the air, and everyone is on high alert.
I have no idea what it means for the Paynes moving forward.
They can’t just be reacting anymore. They have to figure out how to retaliate before the others come after them again.
Katia clears her throat, and I snap back to the present. “After last night, you should be thankful he hasn’t locked you up somewhere.”
I fold my arms over my chest. “He wouldn’t.”
“Not yet.”
“Not ever,” I maintain. “Mason and I have an understanding.”
“I don’t care what lies you tell yourself, Blondie,” Katia replies. “After last night, whatever understanding you have no longer exists.”
Shit.
I know she’s right, but I still want to hear it from Mason.
I frown and move back into the room. “Can I at least have something to eat?”
Katia nods and looks away. I retreat into the room and slam the door shut.
While I’m tempted to go back out and fight my way down, there’s no point when Katia will just drag me back up. As I pace the room, I think back to the early hours of the morning, when bright sunlight poured in through the open curtains and illuminated Mason’s face.
I don’t know how to get him to be honest about everything, and I’m not sure I want to.
How will knowing how badly things are spiraling make me feel better?
I should be thankful he’s keeping me in the dark.
All those bodies, and the smell of blood in the hallways, are going to haunt me for the rest of my days.
I don’t realize how hard I’m digging my nails in until I draw blood.
I blink and stare at the crimson drop that falls to the floor.
I yank the nightstand drawer open and rummage through it. When I pull out the burner, my heart is racing. I dial the number and put the phone to my ear.
My mom’s phone goes to voicemail after the eighth ring.
I listen to the message, sick to my stomach.
Once I hear the familiar beep, I suck in a harsh breath and press two fingers to my temple. “Hey, Mom. It’s me. Look, I know you and Dad aren’t happy with me right now. I know you don’t understand the choices I’ve made, or the life I’ve chosen for myself, and that’s fine. You can be mad at me all you want, butpleasejust listen to me. I need you both to leave the city for a while. Maybe go abroad for a few weeks or something….”
I stand in front of the window and take in the sprawling estate below. “I know it all sounds crazy, and I can’t tell you what’s happening. I wish I could, but things just got worse, and I need to know that you two are safe.”
I hang my head and go quiet.
“Please don’t send Noah again. It’s for his own good. I love you both so much, and you have no idea how sorry I am about everything. I’ll reach out again when I can.”
Slowly, I take the phone away from my ear and swallow past the lump in my throat. After placing the phone in the nightstand drawer, I move to the window.
How can I appreciate the beauty of this place when each step forward feels like five steps back?
It feels like one wrong move sends me back into the darkness.
There are worse places to be stuck. And at least your Mom and Dad are safe.
