His eyes slide to me one last time, and then he leaves. The front door clicks shut, and silence descends quickly upon us.
My mother exhales shakily, pressing a hand to her chest.
“Why is he here?” my father barks out. “Who told him you were here?”
My mouth twists. “My guess is he has friends on your staff. It makes him feel important.”
I stare at the spot where Grant stood.
“It’s time to leave.” Niko cuts in.
It’s weird. I thought I’d feel safe here, but I don’t. I feel hollow.
Nico gestures toward the door. I turn to leave, but instead, I pause in the doorway, my back to them, throat tight. I thought that if I came here, I’d feel something different. Love . . .
But the only time I ever felt love here was with Lorenzo.
I don’t turn around. I just walk out.
As we pull away, I stare at the estate shrinking behind us and think about Grant. How his eyes sharpened when I refused to answer. He was frustrated, but there was something else. Something I can’t put my finger on.
“You did good.” Nico’s low voice breaks the silence in the car.
I blink, turning my head. “Good at what?”
He shrugs one shoulder, his gaze forward. “Not talking.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “It’s funny. Everyone keeps complimenting me on being quiet.”
“Quiet keeps you alive.” Nico doesn’t smile.
I stare out the window again, watching the trees blur, as my chest aches with everything I didn’t say.
With everything I can’t.
I didn’t tell Grant.
I protected Lorenzo.
I don’t know what that makes me.
But I’m scared to find out.
51
Victoria
The house feelsdifferent when I come back.
I’m not sure why, but it is. Hell, I can’t even put my finger on what’s different about it.
Maybe it’s me. Maybe I’m different.
I step inside, the front door shutting behind me with a soft click. Surprisingly, Nico doesn’t follow me this time. He stops at the threshold, one hand still on the door.
“You made it back,” he tells me, as if that answers why he’s practically stuck in place.
The man is so weird.
