“So, we definitely need X,” I breathe out. “Man, this year keeps on getting worse and worse.”
“Yeah, well, that’s life. It has to go down before it goes up.”
“Will it ever go up, though? Hudson’s dead. Noelle’s almost dead. Aria’s like a dead person walking, and Arlo is in the fucking trenches with his own demons.”
“Luckily, they have you,” Kaya says, and I don’t know why, but it warms me on the inside, even if momentarily. “They were strong for you. Now, you need to return the favor. So… what are you going to do, Ms. Boss?”
I swallow thickly. “There’s a plan that Freya laid out for me.”
“Go on.”
With a deep breath, I give Kaya a quick recap of the conversation that happened mere minutes prior to her joining us. Her face tells me nothing, as always. The perfect mask of stoicism is in place, as if it never left.
“The idea... is not bad.”
I blink. “Really?”
“Good one, Freya,” Kaya says, and Freya nods in return.
“See, Blair? Told you.”
“You both think I should do it.”
“We both think you need to finish all of this before it’s too late.”
“Fine, then,” I breathe out. “I’ll get the phone number from Arlo’s phone and start there.”
“Good.”
???
Arlo’s soft snores jolt me awake. Slowly, I glance at the little watch on the bedside table, noticing that it’s three in the morning, which is perfect. In the next forty minutes, Kaya will be downstairs, waiting for me.
I turn my attention back to Arlo. Softly, I push the strand of his hair out of his face, examining his features. He looks angelic like this, the moonlight shining down onto his face. His lips are plump, his thick lashes touching his cheeks. Fuck, he looks perfect.
He has my entire soul. He is my entire soul.
The thought of what I’m about to do pains me physically, yet, I know deep, deep down, that this is for the best. Some time apart is much needed if we want to get this shit done. I’m just hoping it’s not going to bring us to the point of no return.
Slowly, I lean in, and kiss his lips. It’s brief, barely a peck–let alone a proper kiss, but it’s all I can offer him. Especially since I spiked his tea with sleeping pills, then lied that I put too much sugar in. If he noticed the difference, he didn’t say anything.
My heart hurts. I know that when this is all over, I’ll be back in his arms. And no matter how confident I am in this plan, it’s still painful. I never thought I’d have to leave his side. I’mnot sure what will happen when I do. I’m not sure what will go through his head when he sees that I’m gone.
But fuck, I wish I didn’t have to do this. I love him, more than any words could ever describe. Yet… I’m leaving. I have to. Because if I don’t leave now, I never will. It’s the only way I’ll be able to deal with Paul the way I see fit, without any interruptions.
“Please forgive me for this, Baby,” I whisper as a lone tear slides down my cheek. “I love you, more than life itself. I’ll come back to you, I promise.”
With one, last glance at my baby, I slowly push myself off the bed, walking as silently as possible toward the wardrobe. Kaya has everything I’ll need in the future, so I pick out the most basic, black hoodie and leggings, and throw them on. I can only take one backpack that I’m carrying with me, it contains a couple of guns, some heroin, and of course, the blue ribbon Arlo gifted me.
I quietly grab his work phone from inside of his coat, and I unlock it with ease. The passcode is still my birthday, so I manage to unlock it on the first try. His contact list is so damn long, but I know what I’m looking for, and as soon as I find X’ contact, I write the number into my phone. However, when I scroll all the way up, I freeze momentarily. There’s a contact that I had no idea Arlo would have. Then again, it’s Arlo De Santis. The man keeps his enemies as close as humanly possible. I grab that one as well, then return his phone right to his coat, trying to erase all traces of what I’ve just done.
Then, before leaving the apartment completely, I write out a small note for Arlo. It’s straightforward, with a promise that I’ll return. All I hope for him is that he spends his time efficiently, and not looking for me. Tears continue to roll down my face as Ileave the apartment. Leaving as silently as possible, the coldness from the hall seeps through my clothes. My eyes close as I try to gather the strength to go through with this, to leave him behind.
All of me screams to just return, burn the note I wrote, and pretend like nothing happened. But, I can’t. I know that this is something I need to do, and it’s something I have to get done so that Arlo and I can finally have the peace of mind we need, that we deserve. So, I call the other contact I stole from Arlo’s phone, dialing the number with zero hesitation, and pressing the device against my ear. Yes, it’s three in the morning, but I highly doubt this man has his phone on silent. He’s been chasing us, after all, so he’s got to be on high alert.
“Hello?” The groggy voice tells me that I woke him up. “Who is this?”
“Agent Arnault,” I say, keeping my voice steady as I exit the building, spotting Kaya’s Rolls Royce with ease. “This is Blair Hawke.”
