Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Two days later, I wake wrapped around Julian like I'm afraid to let go. Morning light filters through his bedroom curtains, soft and forgiving. I trace the tattoo on his shoulder and arm—the musical notes, the piano keys—while he sleeps.
When his eyes finally flutter open, he smiles, slow and lazy.
"Morning."
"Hi."
His hand slides up my thigh, fingertips grazing skin. No words. Just his mouth on mine, warm and insistent. We move together like we've done this a thousand times, unhurried, tender. He cradles my face while I straddle him, foreheads pressed together, breathing in sync.
It's romantic. Sweet. The kind of morning sex that feels like a promise.
Afterward, I lie against his chest, listening to his heartbeat slow. For the first time in weeks, I feel calm. Safe.
But my phone shatters the peace. In an instant.
Reeves' name flashes on the screen. I grab it, frowning.
"Hey—"
"Don't come in today."
His voice carries a tension I've never heard before—clipped and strained, like he's fighting to keep something massive bottled up inside. Something's wrong. Very wrong.
I sit up, suddenly cold despite Julian's warmth beside me. "What happened?"
"Pool hall's closed. Vandalized."
The word hits like a slap. "What?"
"Glass everywhere. Pool tables slashed. Someone really did a number on the place."
Daniel.
I don't say it out loud, but Reeves hears it anyway.
"Yeah. That's what I'm thinking too. I guess you were right… shouldn't have gotten involved."
Guilt crashes through me like a tidal wave, stealing my breath and making my chest tighten painfully.
This is my fault. All of it. My absolute mess—my poor choices, my inability to see Daniel for what he really was, my foolish trust in a man I should have run from the moment I felt that first flicker of unease—all of it is now spilling over into Reeves' life, into his business, into the livelihood he's fought so hard to protect.
The pool hall that's been in his family for thirty years, the place he's poured everything into keeping afloat despite mounting debts and endless struggles, is now caught in the crossfire of my nightmare.
Because of me. Because I wasn't careful enough, wasn't smart enough to end things cleanly before Daniel could turn into this.
"I'm so sorry, Reeves."
"It's all right, Liza… you did warn me."
"I'm coming over."
"Liza, no—"
"I'm coming."
"Stay home. The cops are here. I'm fine."
"I need to see it."
"You don't need to see shit. Just—"
I hang up.
Julian's already sitting up, concern etched across his beautiful face. "What's going on?"
"Someone vandalized the pool hall."
"Daniel?"
"Who else?"
"Liza, you can't—"
But I'm already out of bed, yanking jeans from the floor, pulling yesterday's shirt over my head.
"You shouldn't go," Julian says, firmer now. "If he's watching—"
"I have to."
"Why? What are you going to accomplish?"
I don't have a good answer. Just this burning need to see the damage with my own eyes. To face what Daniel's capable of.
Julian follows me to the door, bare-chested, frustration radiating off him. "At least let me come with you."
"No."
"Liza—"
I kiss him hard, silencing the argument. Then I'm gone, keys jangling, heart hammering, leaving him standing in the doorway.
The drive to the pool hall blurs past.
All I can think is: I told you so.
But I won't say it.
I never would.
Damn you, Daniel.
Damn you, Fucker.