The quote—Cecil’s quote—hit me like a door to the face.
I could tell her the truth, but I didn’t have time, and she wouldn’t believe it anyway. Even without the brainwashing, her dreams had her by the throat. If the board ever gave her what she wanted… I couldn’t finish that thought.
But whatelse could I do?
Juliette
I love you, Fal. I always will. Please give Riley and Briar my love. And if you become the Sunburst and want out, I will get you out. I promise. I love you with everything in me. I gotta go. -J
I closed the app and dropped the phone into my pocket. Then I stepped into the light.
I waved at Maggie down the sidewalk. “I’m right here.”
Her whole body sagged. “Guys?” she hollered. “Found her!”
Chapter Eighteen
JULIETTE
Ilay in bed next to Griffin, wide awake. We were flying back to Phoenix in the morning. It was the last thing I wanted to think about, and the only thing that had occupied my mind all day.
I rolled on my side and stared out the window overlooking the back of the farm. Moonlight pooled across the floor. An owl called somewhere in the dark.
Seddledowne was magical. This farm most of all. But the family that loved and worked this land? They were the family I’d always longed for.
How was I supposed to leave them?
Figure out a way to convince Griffin to stay. Phoenix is too close to DayGlow. At least here you’re surrounded by family. Family who would die before letting anything happen to you.
The Duprees had a shooting range, and the guys practiced for fun. Peyton had told me how Ford shot Tally’s rapist, and Griffin, his brothers, and cousins had caught Charlie’s attackers and her terrible ex.
I’ll be fine in Phoenix. Griffin will protect me.
While he’s off fighting wildfires for months at a time? You go back there, and you’re a sitting duck.
But what choice did I have? Griffin was restless here, like he couldn’t leave fast enough.
You always have choices,Mom’s voice whispered.
I wasn’t going to argue with the voice of a dead woman whose choices had destroyed both our lives. Not on this.
I gazed out the window, trying to focus on something different.
But the stars only reminded me I couldn’t see them back in the city. We wouldn’t be back until Christmas—and only then if Griffin wasn’t fighting a fire. So I rolled the other way.
Griffin was awake, watching me. “You okay?” He curled an arm around my back, tucking me against his chest.
I’d held the tears in all day. But I was too tired to keep fighting. I buried my face in his shoulder, letting my emotions come.
“Hey,” he said in a hush. “What’s wrong?”
Tell him. Tell him why you can’t go back. If he knew the truth, if he knew what they’d done to you, he wouldn’t want you anywhere near DayGlow. You said you’d tell him when the funeral was over. It’s over. Time’s up.
A fought back as sob as I finally admitted the truth to myself.
You’re not going to tell him. You never were. Griffin saved it all for his wife, and you saved nothing. If he knew who you really were, the love in his eyes would drain away like someone pulled the plug. And his ‘I don’t believe in divorce’ vow would go with it.
So get it together and head back to Phoenix. Griffin can’t quit his job and stay out here just because you’re afraid. Besides, you’re going to need his income now that you’re jobless and broke. Broker than Theo even. And you need a story for when heeventually asks where all your money went and why you don’t work for DayGlow anymore.
