“What if she never comes back?” I whisper, my chest tight.
“Who?” he looks confused.
I meet his gaze, sadness washing over me. “The girl I used to be. I’m worried too much has changed. That it’s altered me. Ihave seen things now, and there is this… I don’t know what it is. Poison inside of me, I guess, that’s making me feel erratic.”
The way he looks me over, I’m worried he sees it too. I’m losing my mind. “Revenge can be all-consuming, Daisy. I’ve seen it before, but you have something better. You got away, you have three men who care about you so much they uprooted their lives and called in favors they will be paying off for years to make it happen. Don’t let the hatred of those who have done you wrong consume you. Let the love for those who are here with you now light you up inside and heal you, so you can go on to have a full happy life.”
I offer a half-smile back at him. He’s sweet, a hopeless romantic I imagine, by the way he talks. I bet he’s never experienced anything like this before. For a start, he’s a man who comes from a powerful family. How could he have felt this loss, this pain? “I’ll try,” I say mostly for him, because I already know it’s too late for me. For the first time in my life, I understand why violence exists. I get why Cruz destroyed that man like he did. Why he’s dedicated his life to making people who deserve it pay. He knew what that awful man was going to do to me, and that rage fueled his violence. And I’m glad it did. He was the scum of the earth and deserved to pay the price.
“I’ll come and check on you in the next few days, but if you need anything in the meantime, the boys have my number.” He stands and holds a hand out for me. “Why don’t you walk me out?”
“Okay.” I would prefer to stay in my room and avoid them, but Ricky has been so nice to me, I can’t say no to him.
The house is quiet as I walk with him through the foyer and to the front door. “If I ever get out of this place and back to some sort of reality, I would love to meet your girl. Sloane talks about her all the time.”
He smiles. “You would like her. She’s fiery just like you.”
I find it strange that he thinks I’m fiery, I’ve only ever seen myself as a pushover. “Thanks for helping me.”
He smiles, and it makes it all the way to his dimples. “Any time.” He presses some code on a lock pad by the door, and then the door opens. “This is only temporary. You will get your life back, Daisy. Just be patient. And enjoy this place and all the perks that come with it in the meantime.”
“I’ll try, Ricky, thanks.”
With one more smile, he’s gone, and the door closes with a click. I try the handle and sure enough, it’s security locked. I can’t even open it from the inside. I lean into the door and take a deep breath, trying to stop the tremble in my hands. The fact they even have a purpose-built safe house is so crazy.
“All fixed up?” comes Asher’s voice from behind me.
I turn around slowly, not ready to face him. “Yep,” I mutter hurrying past him.
His hand captures mine. “Daisy, stop, please.”
I have no choice but to stop. He’s holding my hand so firmly. “What, Ash?” I huff out.
“You’ve got your bandage off.” He looks me over, forcing a smile.
My head drops. I don’t want him to see me like this. “Looks that way.”
He takes a strand of my hair and slips it behind my ear, then cups my chin so I’m forced to look up at him. “It’s good to see you’re getting better.” He smiles, all charming, and I’m not sure why since the last thing I said to him was that he needed to grow a pair. Shouldn’t he be shitty with me right about now?
“Thanks.” I blink back up at him, getting lost in his piercing eyes even though I know I shouldn’t. I guess my time in my room has helped me to simmer down a little. “Do you wish we were at the club tonight?” I ask him.
He laughs lightheartedly. “I want to show you something.”
I sigh heavily. “I just want to go to bed and sleep off this nightmare.”
“Please, I won’t keep you long, and I think you’re going to like my surprise.” His smile widens to that damn all-out cheeky grin.
“Okay,” I say reluctantly. “I hate surprises, just so you know,” I huff.
“This one you won’t.” He keeps his hand in mine, and he guides me down a long hall in the opposite direction of our bedrooms, and I start to wonder how big this place actually is. It looks deceptively small from the outside. We pass the pool Ricky was talking about, and Asher opens a door. “It’s for you when you’re ready.” He pulls me through the door with him, all excited. “Well, this side, anyway. The other is for Cruz to train, Doc gave him the all-clear today.”
“Lucky him.” It comes out sarcastic, but I am actually happy for him. I stare at the space in front of me in awe. It’s a dance studio, mirrors all down one side and a ballet barre that makes my heart flutter. “How did you get this organized so fast?”
He grins back, all pleased with himself. “Most of it was here for the home gym, we just had to get the barre brought in for you. I’ve been working on it all morning. I just wanted something to put a smile back on your face.”
I can’t help but smile at him, this is sweet. I only wish I could use it. “Thank you,” I whisper, trying not to cry. But then I see my reflection in the mirror and want to shriek. I stumble forward, catching myself on the barre as I stare back. My poor head. The scar is larger than I imagined, a slice straight through my hairline. I never thought of myself as a vain person, but I can’t stand to look at myself like this. I now have a constant reminder of the pain he caused me. This scar won’t go away, not even when my hair grows back. Hot tears tumble down my pale cheeks. I’m a horror show.
Asher takes my hands and pulls me away from the mirror. “Don’t cry, princess.” He pulls me into his solid chest. His shirt is damp with sweat, but I don’t care. There is something in his manly scent that feels like coming home, and I let him wrap his arms around me tightly and hold me.
