I wanted to believe him.
But my mother's voice was still echoing in my head.
You're going to tear those boys apart just like you almost did twelve years ago.
What if she was right?
What if I really was dangerous?
What if...
"Stop," Luca said quietly, like he could read my thoughts. "I can see you spiraling. Whatever you're thinking, stop."
"How do you know what I'm thinking?"
"Because I know you." He squeezed my hand. "And I know that look. The one that says you're trying to convince yourself you're not worth it. That you're better off alone."
"Maybe I am."
"You're not." He said it with such certainty that I almost believed him. "And I'm going to spend however long it takes proving it to you."
We drove in silence for a while. The city lights blurred past the windows. My hand stayed in his, anchored.
My phone buzzed. Jaxon.
Pretty Girl, you're scaring me. What happened?
Luca glanced at it. "You want me to tell him?"
I nodded.
He picked up my phone, dialed Jaxon's number, put it on speaker.
"Reina?" Jaxon answered immediately. "What the fuck is going on? You're not answering and Vale just called me saying..."
"It's me," Luca said. "I'm with her. We're heading back to the cabin."
"What happened?"
"Her mother happened."
A string of profanity came through the speaker. "Is she okay?"
"No," Luca said honestly. "But she will be."
"I'm on my way. Team bus just left but I'll rent a car, be there in three hours."
"Jax, you don't have to..." I started.
"Like hell I don't. This is..." He stopped. "Put her on."
Luca held the phone closer to me.
"I'm here," I managed.
"What did she say to you?"
My throat closed up. Couldn't repeat it. Not again.
