I gag, hand over my mouth, the burn of bile pushing up my throat. I brace myself against the counter and breathe through it.
No.
He’s not going to scare me.
I pick up the photo with shaking hands, carry it to the kitchen, toss it into a pan. I pour in alcohol, light a match, and drop it in; the flame catches fast, it curls and cracks and turns to ash. The burn smell almost feels calming, these last years of moving around trying to avoid whoever has destroyed my life. Can’t keep a job, friends, and especially a relationship.
I keep renting houses in someone else’s name. Family, people who tried to help. I don’t have the means to get a new name and papers. It’s not as easy as it seems in movies.
So I wash up, make a sandwich, and head out the door, living my life.
I drive to Viviana’s mansion. I could tell her to meet me at my apartment and avoid the risk of bumping into Flynn, but my place is small; my little desk barely fits my own computer, let alone hers. She has an amazing office and even added a desk for me.
Also, I feel safe there. Declan Callaghan has security guards all around the property, and he or one of his brothers is always there.
The music plays low.Dog Days Are Overby Florence + The Machine starts, and I turn up the volume. Raindrops tap gently on the windshield. The sky is gray, the trees are blooming this gorgeous deep green. It’s perfect.
I sing the chorus like the world just disappeared, and it’s only me and the road.
The gates open. I nod, as always, and park near the front entrance. The mansion is huge, with a gothic look that I love.
As I walk up, the front door opens, and Declan steps out in a fitted black suit, a black helmet in his hand.
“Autumn,” he says gently, and I smile.
“Not the best weather to ride a bike.”
He chuckles and leans in to kiss my cheek. They all do it, Declan, Kian, and Viviana. Flynn never did, and I just realised that now. He never really touched me until last night.
“Just parking it,” he says, and I glance back at him.
“Oh, right.” I laugh too nervously, and I can see it in his eyes, the way his eyebrow lifts.
“Is everything alright?” His eyes are like daggers, sharp and searching. I can feel my cheeks burning.
“Yes, of course—I—Viviana.” I start walking fast. He doesn’t say anything else as I step over the threshold.
I really need to stop thinking about last night, especially around Viviana. That woman can read me like an open book.
“Hey, girl!” Viviana chirps.
We hug and head to her office.
“These look amazing, Autumn.” She goes through them for the fourth time, each round adding more pictures to the selection for the new website.
Flynn’s club is gorgeous; it has that sexy, rich vibe with an industrial flair that makes the photos look different, powerful. Just like him—
“Did something happen?” she asks, and I realise I’m staring.
“No, just a little tired from the charity event last night.” I walk to her mini fridge and grab a bottle of water.
“Hmm.” She turns her chair to face me, crossing her arms. “Spill it, Miss Autumn. What the fuck is going on?”
My cheeks burn. I want to tell her. I want to tellsomeone. But she knows him, and he’s Declan’s closest friend.
I take a deep breath. Then another. My hands shake.
“You have to promise me not to tell anyone, including Declan.” I whisper and glance at the closed door, half-expecting someone to be listening.
