Chapter 58
58
Victoria
In Lorenzo’s arms is my favorite place to be. I could stay here forever, but since this is my parents’ house, and I’m pretty sure I hate my parents right now, I can’t.
How could they have done this to us?
“What’s on your mind, Little Bird p>
I open my mouth to tell him, when his phone vibrates beside us.
Lorenzo stiffens.
“Don’t answer,” I tell him because I’m not ready for this happy bubble to end.
He glances down at the screen. The light reflects off his eyes, turning them harder. “I wish it worked that way p>
The vibration stops. Then starts again. Persistent. Demanding. Not a good sign.
He exhales through his nose and straightens up until he’s sitting. “Unfortunately, I have to take this p>
Despite everything we just went through, his words hurt. I know he doesn’t mean to sound stern, but something old and apparently still sore tightens in my chest.
“Of course you do,” I reply lightly.
He stands, readjusting his clothes, and takes a few steps away. His voice drops as he answers. I don’t hear the words, but I can see how his back straightens, and it’s almost like his invisible armor falls back over him.
I wrap my arms around myself, staring out the window and toward the water.
Remembering.
Back when we were younger and things felt simple.
A few seconds pass before Lorenzo comes back. “I need to leave,” he says, already reaching for his coat.
My stomach and throat feel tight at the idea of him leaving. “Now p>
His gaze flicks to me, and his gaze softens. “Work. Unfortunately p>
Lorenzo crosses the small space between us and places a kiss on my lips. “I’ll make it up to you p>
I roll my eyes playfully. “You always say that p>
“Actually, I’m not sure I’ve ever said that,” he counters, shrugging into the coat. “Do you want me to take you home p>
“I actually want to talk to my parents p>
“Now, that I wish I could see, and actually take part in. But alas, my uncle needs me. Nico will take you home p>
“When will you be home p>
“Not sure. Hopefully tonight.” He reaches out, fingers brushing my jaw before leaning down and capturing my lips again.
The kiss only lasts a few seconds, and I feel empty when he finally pulls away.
“I’ll see you later.” He turns and walks away, phone already back at his ear. He doesn’t look back.
I hate that it still hurts when he leaves.
I storm into the house.
This is the last place I want to be. If I were smart, I’d just leave with Lorenzo…
But I can’t.
Not after realizing what my mother did.
It doesn’t take me long to find her in the living room.
I storm in.
She looks up from the sofa, surprise flickering across her face.
“Victoria p>
“Don’t.” I hold up a hand.
Her brows knit together. “You look upset p>
I laugh.
Yep. An ugly laugh rips from my mouth.
I sound unhinged.
And truthfully, I might be right now. “Upset. Yes, you can say I’m upset… Mother p>
I step farther into the room, every inch of me buzzing with anger. “Did you know I spent four years believing I was unlovable?” I cross my arms at my chest. “Four years thinking the man I loved just never came back for me p>
Her shoulders stiffen. She knows where this is going. Good.
“I did what I thought was necessary p>
“You make me sick,” I snap.
She stands, smoothing her sweater. “Victoria, you were young. He was dangerous. His world p>
“Was never your decision.” I cut in. “And you knew that. You knew I would never leave him willingly, so you stole my voice instead p>
If I thought she had any remorse over her actions, the way she glares at me is all the confirmation I need that she doesn’t have any.
“You let him believe I wrote that letter,” I hiss. “You watched him walk away thinking I didn’t love him p>
“I was protecting you p>
“No,” I say coldly. “You were protecting yourself. Your image. God forbid your daughter loved someone beneath you p>
I take a step closer. My hands are shaking now, but I don’t hide them.
“You didn’t trust me to choose my own future,” I continue. “You chose it for me.” She opens her mouth, but I don’t let her speak. “I loved him,” I say. “I love him. And I will not waste another second of my life letting you mess with Lorenzo or me anymore p>
Her face pales. “You don’t mean that p>
“I absolutely do.” My voice doesn’t waver. “We’re done. I’m out of your life for good. I’m choosing Lorenzo,” I add. “And I’m choosing the life we were robbed of. You don’t get to touch it p>
I step back. “Don’t ever reach out to me again. You won’t like what happens,” I warn.
I turn and walk out before she can say anything.
Nico stands by the car when I finally make my way outside. He opens the door for me with the same careful politeness he always uses, like he’s afraid Lorenzo will kill him if he steps out of line and upsets me.
I climb in without comment and buckle my seat belt. A second later, the door shuts, and we pull away.
I watch the ocean disappear behind the trees and think about my family and how much they’ve hurt me over the years.
There is no coming back from what they did to us.
I must be lost in thought because when I look back outside, nothing looks familiar.
My pulse spikes. “Nico p>
He doesn’t answer.
“Where are we going p>
He keeps his eyes on the road, jaw tight. “It’s for your own good p>
What the hell does that mean?
I reach for the door and try to open the door. While jumping from a moving car isn’t going to be fun, I have no idea where he’s taking me, and I’m starting to get scared.
Nothing happens.
“What the hell are you doing, Nico p>
“Like I said before, it’s for your own good p>
“That’s what everyone says right before they do something unforgivable p>
The road narrows and trees grow denser.
“You don’t understand,” he says quietly.
I turn toward him fully now. “Then help me. Because from where I’m sitting, you just kidnapped me p>
His head bobs, but back here, I can’t see his expression. “Boss treats you like shit p>
Heat flares in my chest. Defensive, immediate. “You don’t get to say that p>
“I get to say it because I’ve watched it.” His hands tighten on the wheel. “I’ve watched him cage you and call it protection p>
“You don’t know him p>
“I know enough p>
I shake my head, anger and fear tangling. “Unlock the door p>
“I can’t p>
“You won’t p>
The distinction hangs between us.
“My mother was taken once,” he says suddenly.
The words hit like a slap.
“What p>
“One of the Amante brothers,” he continues, voice flat, eyes forward. “Not Lorenzo’s father. The other one. The one nobody talks about p>
Cold slides down my spine.
“He’s dead now,” Nico adds. “But what Lorenzo’s doing to you? It’s the same p>
“That’s not—” My voice cracks, but I force it steady. “You don’t understand. He wouldn’t hurt me p>
“You sound like my mother”—Nico cuts in, not unkindly—“right before she disappeared p>
Silence crashes down.
“Take me back,” I whisper.
“No p>
“Please.” The word slips out before I can stop it. “Nico. Please p>
The car keeps moving. “I won’t let you become another story they bury,” he says softly.
A clearing opens up ahead, and a small cottage sits in front of us.
That’s where the car stops.
My heart pounds. “Where are we p>
“Somewhere safe p>
The doors unlock with a soft click. I step out into the cold and shiver, but not from the chill in the air. No, I tremble because the door opens, and Grant steps out onto the porch.
He smiles when he sees me. The bastard. He thinks this is a happy ending. It’s not.
“Victoria,” he says, stepping forward. “Thank God. I was starting to think p>
“What is he doing here?” I snap, turning on Nico.
“He’s here to help you p>
Help.
I laugh, hollow and sharp. “You think this is help p>
Grant looks back and forth between us, confusion creasing his brow. “Of course I’m here to help. He said you weren’t safe p>
“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” I shout.
“I needed to help you.” Grant takes another step toward me.
I shake my head, backing up. “Stop. Don’t come any closer p>
His hands lift. “I’m not here to hurt you.” The words that leave his mouth don’t match the crazed look in his eyes. I’m not safe with him.
I turn to Nico. Maybe I can convince him to change his mind.
And I realize with sick clarity that this man won’t help me. And just as I finally got out of one cage, I’ve moved to a different one. But this one terrifies me.