I had to move.
I’d made a mistake. Sending Karina away was the wrong move. I needed her with me—now more than ever.
My angel.
My light.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Kay
The house came into view first, then the rest of the island appeared through the fog.
Xander was driving the speedboat, completely ignorant of the whitecaps across the dark water. It had been a bumpy ride, to say the least, much like my life.
My demon did it. He sent me away.
It hurt like hell, and I had been crying for the last five hours.
When Xander got me to the airport and I saw Gina waiting for me by the plane, completely oblivious to my pain, something snapped. Collin wanted me to go back to St. Louis. He was releasing me. Setting me free.
The asshole.
How could I be a prisoner if I wanted to stay?
I wanted to go back to his house, to wait for him, because even though my heart had been dragged through the mud, beaten and bruised, my soul still wanted to fight. She was a stubborn girl.
I told Xander I needed to go get Haley.
It was a lame excuse, because in the world of modern technology, I knew they knew that Haley was already gone. Did I know that for certain? No. Did I know in my heart that James got her out of there? Yes.
Xander refused me, of course. He was following Collin’s orders, and I couldn’t blame the man for doing his job. So as my tears still fell, I pretended to go along with it.
Until we were an hour away from Illinois.
I was a dumb blonde for a reason.
Which is why I kneed Xander in the balls, took his gun, and pointed it at Gina. I wanted to apologize to her, but I didn’t need her to see I wasn’t serious. Of course, I didn’t want to shoot her. IlikedGina, just like IlikedBella.
They had grown on me.
I made her tie Xander up. Honestly, thinking back on it, the big scary man let her tie him up. He could have easilyoverpowered me and her, but he didn’t. Then, I went into the cockpit and ordered the pilot to take me up to Chicago.
Two hours later, there I was, staring up at the mansion that had been my home for the last three months. This house was hauntingly beautiful, just like Collin. The lights were on downstairs, and I knew Bella would be there. I smiled at that.
I missed her.
“Cam, tell the roof to stand down.”
My head jerked to look at the big man. He was looking up to the high roof of the building, and I followed his gaze. Holy fuck. There were two men on the roof. With guns.
Big guns.
“Can I ask you a question, Xander?”
He was stepping out of the boat and onto the small dock. “That depends, Ms. Jones. Are you going to shoot me with my gun?” He was focused on tying down the boat, but I heard the amusement in his voice.
“Why are you guys loyal to Collin and not Romano?”
