His gaze drifts over me, then stops on my face with something like satisfaction.
Why? No clue. But something tells me he’s going to tell me.
“Good,” he drawls, opening the door. “You listened.”
“As if I had a choice,” I snap, stepping past him into the winter bite. Outside, Nico stands by the car.
“Ready?” Nico asks Lorenzo.
“I’m ready,” I say as if I have a say.
No one here listens to anyone other than Lorenzo.
“Don’t make this harder than it has to be,” Nico says under his breath as I walk past him. He follows me and opens the door. “Get in the car, Victoria.”
He uses my name like he’s warning me, and right now, I don’t want to know why.
I slide into the back seat, and Nico takes the seat beside me. The driver pulls out, and when the estate gates open, we are gone.
Neither of us speaks as we drive off. Soon, the mansion disappears behind us, and the road curves through trees dusted with old snow. I stare out the window and pretend my chest doesn’t hurt.
“You’re quiet,” Nico says as he checks his watch.
I don’t look at him. “I’m practicing for the rest of my life.”
He snorts, then smothers it into a cough-like laughter. “Don’t do anything reckless.”
I turn my head slowly, letting my eyes meet his. “Define reckless.”
Nico’s stare goes flat. “Running.”
“I haven’t run from anything in years.” I regret the honesty instantly, but at least Lorenzo isn’t here to hear it.
“Just . . . don’t speak.” Nico responds.
Thirty minutes later, the Danforth estate is before us. The gates open before we even stop.
My stomach twists. Because that means they’re expecting me, and I don’t know how I feel about it. A month has passed since I’ve seen them last, and from what I can tell, neither has tried to contact me . . . so do I even want to be here?
The SUV rolls up the drive. My mother is already on the steps, wrapped in an expensive-looking, useless coat. Her hair is pulled back too tightly, and she looks frail. My father stands behind her, hands clasped, jaw rigid.
Now, he’s trying to look like a man in control.
Spoiler alert, Dad: You’re not.
The car stops, and my door is opened. Cold air hits my lungs, but I welcome it anyway because it’s real. Like freedom, even if it’s short-lived.
My mother takes a step forward but doesn’t approach.
Gee, thanks, Mom. Missed you too. “Victoria.”
My father steps closer, gaze flicking past me, landing straight on Nico. His nostrils flare.
“Who is that?” my father bites out, voice low.
Nico remains two steps behind me, posture neutral, eyes scanning him before looking around the property. He doesn’t speak.
Smart man. I answer for him, keeping my tone light because that’s the only way this will work. My mother will be too dramatic if I tell her the truth. “Security.”
