“Get lost, asshole. I hate you.”
“Tough shit.” I jump in front of her, careful not to touch her. “I’m responsible for you, and I promised Selena I would get you home safely.”
“That’s not my home!” Venom spews from her mouth and her eyes as she scratches her arm. “I don’t have one, remember? You made sure that was taken from me.”
It’s not technically true. The Ford family home is ready for Vera whenever she is able to live independently. My attorney handled all the paperwork after I found her. It’s been renovated to freshen it up, and I have live-in caretakers looking after the place. A husband-and-wife team. Housekeeper and gardener.
“I’m well aware of my failings,” I say, pressing the fob and unlocking my car. “Let’s go.” I jerk my shoulder forward as I stride through the gates.
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” she shouts after me.
I turn and walk back to her. “If you want to do this the hard way, that’s fine by me. I’ll call Selena to send someone to come get you, and until then, I’ll be stuck like glue to your side. Hate me all you want, Vera. It’s your right and I deserve it, but I won’t let you fuck up your recovery because of me.”
“You can’t keep me there. I’m not a prisoner.”
No, I can’t force it, but I could get a seventy-two-hour psych hold in the hospital and from there have her committed, and she’d be forced to undergo a more traditional therapy route that would be worlds away from the resources and treatments available to her at Moonlight. I would hate to do that to her, and it’s a last-resort option, but I won’t hesitate to push that button if it’s necessary. I won’t let Vera self-destruct, and I won’t stand by and watch while she succumbs to drugs and other addictions.
“No, you’re not a prisoner, but we both know Moonlight is the best place for you right now. Please don’t jeopardize your health and your recovery. You’ve fought too hard to throw it all away now. When you’re ready, your family home is waiting for you, and I will take you there if that’s what you want.”
“My family home?” Her voice cracks.
“The house in Rydeville where you grew up.” She has a large bank account too, but I’m not mentioning that yet. Felicity explained it’s not a good idea as access to cash can be problematic for trauma survivors, the temptation to suffocate their pain in alcohol or drugs being too strong.
“Can I see it?” All the anger and hostility has fled her face again.
“I’ll talk to Selena and Felicity.”
“Okay.” She walks toward my car scratching her arm with her head hanging and her shoulders slumping, and I feel like the biggest asshole.
We don’t talk on the drive back, and I have the child locks on because I don’t trust her in this volatile state. Vera is liable to do anything right now, and I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to her while in my care. I let her pick music on my cell, listening in strained silence while Vera stares out the window with her knees drawn to her chest.
In a lot of ways, Vera is mature beyond her years because of the life she’s endured. Yet, in other ways, she is still a little kid because she missed out on the normal growing-up experience. It kills me.
She hops out of the car when we pull into the parking lot beside the main building at Moonlight, not uttering a word as she runs off to grab a golf cart to take her back to her cabin. I stare after her with pain in my heart.
I have a conversation with Felicity, explaining what happened at the crypt, and she promises to talk to Vera. She tells me I need to distance myself from Vera while she processes her feelings and works on her recovery. She is concerned I’m a danger to her mental health while she’s this unstable. She also suggests we table the visit to the Ford family home until Vera is stronger.
It feels like I’m abandoning Vera, but after today, I can see I’m causing more harm than good. I trust the experts to know what is best, and I agree on the condition it’s fully explained to Vera. I don’t want her feeling completely rejected or thinking I’m staying away because I’m angry or upset with her over what she did today.
I head home in a super foul mood and swim fifty lengths in my indoor pool, but it still hasn’t sated this dark storm churning inside me. I’m tempted to message Vixen to meet me at the club, but I worry I’d hurt her with the mood I’m in. So, I head to one of the underground fight clubs I like to frequent instead and take my frustrations out in the ring.
ChapterNineteen
Athena
Ismother my triumphant grin as I knock on the CEO’s door bright and early on Monday morning.
“Come in,” he calls, and his wickedly delicious tone sends shivers tiptoeing up my spine. I pause for a second as my thoughts wander to Beast. What is it about controlling men with their sexy voices that is my personal aphrodisiac?
I open the door and stride inside in my black pants suit and high heels. “Good morning, Mr. Manning. I just wanted to let you know I was here.”
“Sure you didn’t come to gloat?” he asks, leaning back in his chair as his eyes drink me in. He looks incredible in a white dress shirt with a vibrant blue tie and black pants. The matching jacket hangs on the back of his leather chair. His desk is super neat with one small tray of paperwork, a laptop, two framed family photos, and a paper cup I’m assuming contains coffee.
“That would be childish and petty,” I reply, walking toward the desk.
“It would, wouldn’t it?” He arches a brow, pointing at the empty chair in front of his desk with his pen. “Take a seat.”
I sit down in front of him and straighten up. “Thanks again for the opportunity.”
