I blink. “And this warrants an apology?”
“Yes,” Cade says firmly.
“Fine.” I roll my eyes. “I’ll apologize to him at dinner. Happy?”
Ansel’s voice is somewhat gentler as he takes a step forward. “He won’t be at dinner.”
“Why not? Does he have plans?”
“No.” Ansel exchanges a look with Cade. “He’s leaving.”
“Leaving? To go where?”
“Anywhere else.” Ansel shakes his head. “He’s not going to stay somewhere where he feels like animposition.”
“But he can’t leave,” I say, my voice low. “It’s not safe. You have to get him to stay.”
Ansel gives me a grim smile. “He’s not going to listen to me.”
I try to read between the lines, frustrated that it’s not coming easily to me. “You mean I need to talk to him?”
“Yes,” Cade says. “And apologize. He won’t listen to anyone else.”
My monster loves hearing that. Like it means I have some kind of sway over Neo or that he respects my opinion over others’.
I know that’s not true though.
I hesitate. Maybe it’s a good idea to let Neo leave. I can have bodyguards tailing him before he makes it to the end of the driveway. Perhaps it’s better to have him out of my hair before I do something truly stupid.
Like let my monster play with him.
But then Cade speaks, unlocking the cage before I can stop him. “It’s not safe out there. Anything could happen to him. How would you feel if he got hurt?”
The monster breaks free, taking over my body. I stand up quickly, tearing through the room and down the hall, skidding to a halt in the foyer. Neo is huffing his way down the stairs, a suitcase in one hand and a duffel bag over his shoulder. My chest tightens. Can he truly fit all his worldly possessions into those?
I suspect I know the answer. The monster growls at the knowledge.
“Don’t worry,” he says shortly, spotting me at the bottom of the stairs. He doesn’t so much as slow his steps. “I won’t be an imposition much longer. I’m leaving now.”
I move into his path and block his way. “No. You’re not leaving.”
Neo doesn’t meet my eyes as he attempts to sidle around me. “Yes, I am. I’m not one of your brothers, and I don’t work for you or The Firm. You can’t boss me around.”
I sidestep to block him again. “But you like it when I boss you around.”
He does. He might pretend he doesn’t, but there’s no mistakinghow his pupils dilate when I do. The way his tongue darts out over his lips and he shifts on his feet.
How his pulse hammers in his neck.
“That was before I knew I was being animposition,” he snaps, shoving against my chest. I don’t move an inch. Not because Neo held back, but because nothing could make me step aside and let him go. “Don’t worry. I’ve been one of those all my life. I didn’t realize that’s what I was here, but now that I do, I’ll go.”
“That’s not what I meant.” I rub the back of my neck. “I want you here. We all do.”
“Don’t start lying to me now. Telling the truth is the one thing I can count on from you.”
There’s no explaining why those words make something twist in my chest. “I’m not lying, and you’re not leaving. It’s not happening.”
“Move.” Neo’s voice is flat. I can’t stand it. “I know when I’m not wanted. Let me leave with some dignity. Please.”
