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Right now, I only care about one thing: getting the hell out of here.
As I throw all my things into my bag, I fight the tears that are threatening to spill over. I can’t cry right now. Not until I’m back home, in my own bed, far away from the monster who managed to con his way back into my heart.
Once the house is quiet, I sneak into the hallway. Dominic gave me the code for the security system in case I ever wanted to go outside, so now I just have to make it to the keypad unseen.
And based on the darkness enveloping me, everyone must be asleep.
Still, I tiptoe through the house, peering into every room before entering. As I make it to the living room, my phone vibrates with a notification. My ride must be here.
I step into the room and freeze. Alexander sits on the couch, his elbows on his knees, his lips pressed to his interlaced fingers. He’s so deep in thought he doesn’t even notice as I pass behind him.
When I reach the keypad, I bite my lip. He’ll definitely hear it beep, and there’s no way I’ll be able to open and close the door without alerting him.
But it’s the only way I can get out of here, and I need to leave.
I just hope he lets me.
As soon as I hit the last button on the keypad, I rush to the door, cringing at the loud beep. I hear a rustle, and then footsteps, but I focus on getting the door open.
“What the hell are you doing?”
Even as I’m turning, I hate myself for looking back. Alexander is standing there, still fully dressed, with a gun in his hands. My eyes widen at the sight, and he quickly shoves it into the waistband of his jeans.
“Close the door, Sophia. You’re not going anywhere.”
“You can’t stop me. And please don’t try.”
It may be dark, but I can still see the pain in his eyes. But when I step through the doorway, he doesn’t move to stop me. And when I close it behind me, I breathe a sigh of relief when I hear the lock sliding back into place.
I run to the car waiting at the edge of the yard, smiling at the driver as I climb in. And it’s only when we’re out of Dominic’s neighborhood that I finally let the tears start to fall.
For the heartbreak five years ago, and the heartbreak today. For myself, and my shattered heart. And for my innocence, and my goodness, that apparently aren’t as strong as I thought they were.
As much as I hate him, Tristan was right. I fell in love with a monster, and I don’t know if I’ll ever trust myself again.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
TWO WEEKS LATER
Sophia
“That’s six-fifty, please.” I smile at the man on the other side of the counter as he fishes out his card and swipes. “It’ll be just a minute.”
I grab his coffee and pumpkin muffin, almost dropping them both when I see the tall, dark-haired man behind him. Alexander.
“You okay, ma’am?” The man in front of me frowns. He’s young, his blond hair falling into his blue, blue eyes that remind me of Blaze.
Blaze, and everyone else—including the unstoppable force currently staring me down. With a shudder, I grip the edge of the counter.
“Ma’am?” the man asks again, leaning forward. “Do you need to sit down? You look sick. I can help you to a chair if you’d like.”
“I’ll take it from here.” Alexander’s voice cuts through the air. His sharp gaze lands on the blond man in front of me, harsh and intimidating.
To his credit, the man hesitates before giving me a small nod and leaving. If I didn’t know who Alexander was, I wouldn’t want to stand up to him either.
Who am I kidding? I wouldn’t want to stand up to him even if I did know him. The only reason I ever have is because I know he’d never hurt me. Everyone else, sure—but never, ever me.
I turn away, hoping to shove his order off to Lissa, but she’s in the back. Fuck.
