Her pretty face is an inscrutable mask, a deceptive shield she’s perfected, knowing that vulnerability in this life exposes your every secret. I heard the whispers of what happened to her, what Emilio did, but this girl is a survivor because she knows how to act, how to be hard and cold when it’s necessary, and I wonder if I can ever find that kind of strength when inside I feel like I’m constantly falling apart. Forever on the verge of a nervous breakdown. When I ran away from my family, it wasn’t just them I was trying to escape; it was the old me, the pathetic girl who let him treat me the way he did. “Because I need to know he’s not coming back to haunt me. Please, Sloane, if you know anything about his disappearance, you have to tell me. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder wondering if he’s about to catch up with me.”
She glances at me again, a flash of sympathy in her eyes. “I promise you he will never hurt you again. That’s all I can say.”
I let out a breath I didn’t even know I was holding on to and relax back into the soft leather of the passenger side, staring out the window. I really am on my own. Valentine is gone, and now I just have to assemble the parts of me that used to exist and learn how to live again. “Where are you taking me?”
“My apartment, well, my old one, I just moved into a new place down on the docks with Orlando and Romeo.”
“And the guards?” I quirk a brow, her situation fascinating me.
“Yes, and Reef and Onyx. Don’t look at me like that, though.”
My shoulder lifts. “I’m not sure how I’m looking at you.” I smirk. Back in Italy, I knew she was into all of them and not just her husband. I saw the way they looked at her, the love they all shared. Truth is, I was jealous because no one had ever looked at me like that, and she had all four of them. I can’t even imagine what that would feel like.
She pulls her Porsche into an underground parking garage. It’s then I notice Onyx is following us in a black Jeep. I hop out and grab my bag from the back, smiling at him even though he gives nothing back, since he’s watching Sloane. She offers a wave and then shows me to the elevator. “I should warn you, my brother also lives in my place, but he’s hardly ever around because he works late nights and sleeps most of the day. You shouldn’t have to run into him much.”
“Okay, is he nice like Asher?”
“Asher is not nice,” she says with a warning in her voice. “He’s a pain in my ass, but yeah, he’ll be nice to you.” The look she gives me doesn’t convince me.
Before we leave the elevator, I grip her arm. “Thank you for doing this. I’m sorry I wasn’t very kind to you in Italy. Valentine…”
“I knew it was him. It’s okay. I’m glad I can help you now. And my offer still stands. If you need anything else, or if you decide dancing isn’t for you, let me know. I will get you sorted with something lower key. I don’t just run the club, I have a day spa as well. We could get you trained up as a beautician or masseuse. The options are endless, and I can pay you cash, so no money trail. Think about it.”
I scrunch up my nose and shake my head, already knowing there is no way I could see myself working at her day spa. I need to dance; it’s a desperate desire deep within my soul.
She huffs out a laugh. “You’re set on dancing?”
I smile softly. “Dancing is the only thing that makes me feel alive.”
“Helps that you’re rebelling against the motherfucker as well, right?” She smirks as if she gets it.
I shrug, wondering how she understands me so well already. “Kind of.” We share a smile just like we did the first night I met her, like we share a bond no one else could because they haven’t lived our life. They haven’t been a Mrs. Moretti, but we both have, and we know what that means. How restrictive it is. It’s why I came to Ravens Hollow to find her. Something in my gut kept saying Sloane will be on my side. She will help me, and for once, my gut was right.
But as we step out of the elevator, I get a creepy deja vu type feeling, like I have been here before. Like I was here less than twelve hours ago. “Sloane, what is that brother’s name?” I ask, my stomach suddenly sinking.
She places the key in the door and turns the handle. “Jagger. Why?”
As all color drains from my face, I can feel my body turning hot and clammy. The last thing Cruz said to me this morning washe better not find me back in Ravens Hollow. I thought this town would be big enough to avoid him. But as the door swings open and I see those dark blue piercing eyes staring back at me, I know I fucked up majorly.
“Are you still staying here?” Sloane asks him as she casually strolls into the apartment.
I feel like I’m having an out-of-body experience. Like I can see myself stuck in this situation but can’t move my feet to do anything to save myself. If I thought I was sweaty before, the droplets coating my back have multiplied.
Sloane glances back at me. “You coming in?”
I clutch my bag closer to my chest, my heart hammering so loud I can hear it in my ears. What are the chances that her brothers are Cruz and Jagger, the two thugs that kidnapped me last night? I can’t move.My feet are rooted to the spot, and Cruz looks the same. His eyes are still locked on mine, probably wondering how much shit he’s about to get in with his brother for letting me go. One unforgettable kiss we are both now regretting.
“This is a friend of mine, Daisy. She’s going to stay here for a while in my room, okay?” Sloane says, clicking her fingers in front of his face, trying to get his attention.
“Daisy,” he growls out my name like he’s testing it out, but there is no twisted grin on his lips like when he kissed me. This time, I’m pretty sure he’s pissed.
Sloane smiles at me. “He’s not as scary as he looks, I swear. It’s just all superficial, metal and ink.” She reaches out for me, taking my wrist. She tugs me into the apartment and closes the door behind us. “This is Cruz, also one of my brothers.” She motions to him.
“How many brothers do you have?” I practically squeak. Jagger, Cruz, and Asher. All just as sexy as they are dangerous.
“Four. Is Jagger around?” she asks Cruz, looking past him and into the kitchen.
“Nope. He’s at The Precinct tonight, won’t be home tillmuchlater.” He emphasizes the last part, I think, for me.
