“Please.” The word slips out before I can stop it. “Nico. Please.”
The car keeps moving. “I won’t let you become another story they bury,” he says softly.
A clearing opens up ahead, and a small cottage sits in front of us.
That’s where the car stops.
My heart pounds. “Where are we?”
“Somewhere safe.”
The doors unlock with a soft click. I step out into the cold and shiver, but not from the chill in the air. No, I tremble because the door opens, and Grant steps out onto the porch.
He smiles when he sees me.The bastard.He thinks this is a happy ending. It’s not.
“Victoria,” he says, stepping forward. “Thank God. I was starting to think—”
“What is he doing here?” I snap, turning on Nico.
“He’s here to help you.”
Help.
I laugh, hollow and sharp. “You think this is help?”
Grant looks back and forth between us, confusion creasing his brow. “Of course I’m here to help. He said you weren’t safe.”
“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” I shout.
“I needed to help you.” Grant takes another step toward me.
I shake my head, backing up. “Stop. Don’t come any closer.”
His hands lift. “I’m not here to hurt you.” The words that leave his mouth don’t match the crazed look in his eyes. I’m not safe with him.
I turn to Nico. Maybe I can convince him to change his mind.
And I realize with sick clarity that this man won’t help me. And just as I finally got out of one cage, I’ve moved to a different one. But this one terrifies me.
59
Lorenzo
The gravel crunchesunder my shoes as I walk the familiar path.
I haven’t been here in months.
It hasn’t felt right to visit. Not with everything that’s been going on with Victoria . . . and even now, it doesn’t, knowing what I now know.
Maybe it will bring me closure.
Her name comes into view, and I stop in front of the headstone.
Angela Rossi
My mother.
I drag a hand through my hair, then lower myself in front of the stone.
