Chapter 27
27
Daniel
S he was slipping away.
No, she’d already slipped away.
But she wasn’t gone yet.
What else is “just go” supposed to mean?
Daniel’s feet wouldn’t move. Time slowed for him as he searched Aria’s face. From the second she’d arrived at the country club, he knew something had happened. This went far beyond the last time he’d seen her—the last time she’d told him she wasn’t interested anymore.
His hands curled into fists at his sides. He was losing the tiny grasp of resolve he had on his self-control as he watched Cayden march over to her and drape his arm around her shoulders. It was small—completely insignificant—but Daniel saw the way she cringed beneath Cayden’s touch.
Mateo had been the one to give him a heads-up that Aria would be here tonight. It was the least he could do, seeing as Daniel had stayed so long at the property without officially getting paid.
Then again, Aria’s cousin wouldn’t have been able to miss how hollow she looked. Was she even eating?
“You heard her. Run along now,” Cayden said with a smirk.
Daniel’s gaze flicked upward to the man and his lip curled in disgust. If Cayden knew what was good for him, he’d keep quiet. Out of anyone in this small town, Daniel was one who could hold his own.
Right about now, he was tempted to do just that. How many hits to the jaw did the piece of garbage need before he fell to the ground unconscious?
He eyed the man from head to foot.
One.
Daniel would bet his life on it. The guy looked like a lightweight.
Only the soft whimper of Aria’s voice drew his focus back to her. The coloring had faded from her cheeks, blotchy burns from the cold left behind. She looked as though she could pass out at any second.
He made a move to step closer to her, intending on ripping her from this man’s clutches, but a hand gripped his upper arm tight, tearing his attention over his shoulder. Mateo gave a subtle shake of his head. There was something in his eyes that seemed to demand he step down. He couldn’t afford to do anything that he would regret.
Daniel sent a seething glare at Cayden, who only laughed as he led Aria past them both and into the warm building.
The second they were out of earshot, Daniel spun and gave Mateo a shove. He was a few inches shorter than Daniel’s looming frame, but he was sure enough on his feet that Daniel didn’t accomplish anything with his attack.
Mateo stared at him with a blank expression.
No, upon closer inspection, the man actually looked worried.
“I knew it,” Daniel said. “Something’s going on, isn’t it?”
His friend lifted a shoulder. He glanced into the building briefly before giving Daniel a little shove farther out into the cold. They both leaned against the railing for a few moments as Mateo seemed to gather his thoughts.
Daniel grew restless. His whole body itched to march right back into that room, clock Cayden into unconsciousness, and then throw Aria’s body over his shoulder so he could whisk her to safety.
A sigh burst from Mateo’s mouth, white puff clouds spilling from his lips. He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m not going to tell you that the guy isn’t bad news—because clearly he is. I wish I knew what it was that I hate so much about him.”
“Maybe it’s the fact that your cousin looks like death warmed over whenever you see her,” Daniel said.
Mateo shot him a flat look. “Aria has the right to choose what she wants for herself.”
“And if she was choosing to waste away until she was a whisp of nothing? You’re telling me you wouldn’t intervene and take her to get help?”
“That’s different.”
“Is it, though? She sure looks like she’s not taking care of herself. You can’t tell me that you don’t see it.”
Mateo turned to face him, an edge to his voice. “Of course I do. No one knows better than me what she’s gone through in her life.” He was referring to the abuse her father had rained down on their family—probably keeping it vague in case Aria hadn’t shared that part of her life with him.
“Yeah, well, there are more than two ways to skin a dog.”
Mateo made a face. “Geez, dude. Don’t say it like that. I’m pretty sure the saying is about a cat.”
“Whatever.” Daniel flung a hand in the air and turned toward the property that stretched out behind the club. “But you know what I mean. Just because she’s not getting physically roughed up doesn’t mean he’s not doing something as heinous. Have you managed to talk to her about it?”
“And what would I say?” Mateo scoffed.
“You could tell her she’s not looking too good. Drill her and find out what it is he’s holding over her head. Anything !” He sent a withering look in Mateo’s direction. “What if your sister was dating a monster and started looking?—”
“Don’t even finish that sentence. She’s family, Daniel. All I can do is sit back and wait until I figure out what he’s up to.”
Daniel groaned and threw his head back with frustration. “Clearly, he’s up to something. Just because Aria won’t talk about it doesn’t mean?—”
“Is this about the way things ended with the two of you? I know you’re hurting after she broke up with you?—”
“She didn’t break up with me,” Daniel insisted.
Why did Mateo have to look at him like he’d lost his mind?
Daniel could have said he wasn’t sure they were even together, but that would only make the situation worse. Mateo wouldn’t understand the connection Daniel had developed with Aria from the very beginning.
He worked his jaw, gritting it harder with each passing second. “We… I… something happened after Cayden showed up. She changed.” He pointed at the open doorway. “You can’t tell me she’s the same person you left here when you went to Georgia.”
Mateo looked away. That was all Daniel needed to confirm what he was saying was the truth. No one thought this relationship she had with Cayden was a good idea. The problem was no one would do anything about it.
A heavy sigh burst from Daniel’s lips and he dragged a hand down his face. “ Please ,” he whispered. “We can’t let him suck the life out of her.”
“I’m sorry, man. There’s nothing I can?—”
Something like a growl escaped Daniel’s throat as he pushed past his friend with a vengeance. If her own family wasn’t willing to help her out of the mess she’d put herself into, then he’d have to figure out a way to do it himself.
It was clear he wouldn’t be able to get her alone while they were at the country club. He’d have to ambush her after their date. Chances were slim that she’d be alone for long, so he’d have to time his move right.
The cold from the fall night air bit into his skin, seeping deep into his bones. The numbing effect it had on his body was a welcome distraction to the ache that had become rooted in his chest.
Daniel rubbed at the spot, wondering if it would ever start to feel normal again. Something told him that even if Aria wanted him back, he’d be scarred by this experience. No amount of joy would completely erase this feeling of loss he’d endured since Cayden had come to town.
What kind of businessman could afford to drop everything and be here? Either his job offered a great deal of flexibility, or he didn’t have one to speak of. As much as Daniel wanted to believe the latter, he had a feeling Cayden was one of those guys who could do whatever they wanted and their boss would allow it.
Why did the bad people of the world get away with everything?
He rubbed his hands together and blew hot air into them. Sophia was the only one who was willing to be his partner in crime. She’d messaged him about ten minutes ago to tell him that Aria and Cayden had left. They should arrive at the cabin any minute now. From what he understood, Cayden was staying in the nicest motel Copper Creek had to offer, which would allow Daniel to speak with Aria alone as soon as he left.
Headlights flashed in the darkness and Daniel shifted farther behind a tree. He had the best vantage point to see the front of the house. His truck was parked at the main house and he’d jogged over here so no one would be aware of his presence.
Now he had to wait for Cayden to leave.
The couple headed for the house, their conversation low. Daniel had expected Cayden to go into the cabin with Aria but was pleasantly surprised when he dropped her off at the door with a peck on the cheek.
Daniel waited until the lights from the car completely disappeared before he took even one step toward the front door. The closer he got, the harder his heart pounded. Their interaction at the club hadn’t been all that great. There was a chance she would only yell at him to leave.
That thought had him hesitating before he finally rapped his knuckles on the door. He waited a few minutes, then knocked again.
Finally the door opened, her voice echoing in the night air. “Cayden, I told you I didn’t feel like a visit, and I meant—” Her words died in her throat and her eyes opened wide. “Daniel.” The breathless way she said his name still did something to him—made him wish he could turn back time. “What are you doing here?” This time there was a thread of terror in the undertones of her voice. She leaned so she could peer around him. Then she grabbed at the front of his shirt and yanked him inside.
Her cheeks were flushed with the only color he could see on her face. She scowled at him, but it wasn’t the same angry look she’d given him before. This one was different.
Was she… scared?
“You can’t be here,” her voice trembled. “You have to go. Now.”
Daniel grinned, though it felt foreign to do so. “You’re the one who pulled me in here.”
She shook her head, her fingers pressing into her temples. “If he sees you… you can’t…” Her head snapped up and fierce determination flooded her expression. “You need to leave. And you can’t come back.”
“What? Why?” He took a step toward her. “We both know that’s not what you want.”
She didn’t argue with him. No words were spoken. And yet he knew exactly how she felt based on the way she nearly leaned toward him. He saw the conflict in her gaze as she fidgeted with the hem of her shirt.
“Aria,” he whispered gently, “tell me what’s going on. I can take it.”
There was the briefest of moments when he thought she might actually confide in him. But then that whisper of hope fizzled and died. She shut her eyes tight and shook her head. “There’s nothing to be done.”
“But something is going on. Something that makes you feel… trapped .”
He took another step toward her, but she dodged around him and rushed for the door. Pulling it open, she gestured for him to take his leave.
“You need to go.”
While something told him to stay, to force her to talk to him, there was a small part of him that had lost the strength to fight her. If she wasn’t willing to do anything to help herself through whatever this was, then how could he expect to force her?
He frowned at her, drinking her in from head to toe like this might be the last time he would see her. Then he stormed from the cabin.
It was dark, and he didn’t see Sophia until he nearly bumped into her.
“How is she?”
His nerves were frayed and he felt sick to his stomach. “Same,” he grunted, moving past her. She followed him as he marched toward his truck.
“Did she tell you anything?”
“What do you think?” he snapped. Then his shoulders drooped. Sophia wasn’t the problem. Cayden was. “She’s protecting him. What does that say about the way she feels about me?”
A gentle, warm touch landed on his hand and he jumped before looking up to find Sophia’s searching gaze. “She cares about you, Daniel. Even I can see that.”
He scoffed, ignoring her statement. “Call me if she changes her mind.”