Chapter 41
Noelle
The musty, damp smell of this building is making my head spin. My lips are chapped from the gag, and my wrists burn from the rope Rhett used to tie my hands.
I look at Nik’s dad and see a shocking resemblance between all three of them.
I see a family torn apart by greed and jealousy.
It hurts my heart because neither Eva nor Nik asked for any of this.
It was their surroundings. It was being pitted against each other as kids, not knowing it was doing so much damage.
It was Eva fighting to be seen, and Nik just fighting to be loved.
And I don't doubt for one minute she doesn’t love him, but she didn’t know how to do it without strings attached.
Nik stands beside Dante, his look of shock wearing away as he grows bold beside his friend, the one standing up and making it right.
The one person who never took from Nik, the one who never lied or used to get ahead.
The one who was there, guiding him the best he could to get him to a spot he knew he deserved.
Sure, his ways were unorthodox, and Nik fell into a questionable lifestyle, but when forced to make a choice, he did.
“Untie her,” Dante orders anyone to come take this rope off my wrists.
When Nik is the first one to me, I sag against his chest, and the tears I've been holding run down my face. I feel hands gently undo the ropes, and once I’m free, my arms hang limp; I'm unable to lift them.
Nik scoops me up, bridal-style, and walks back over next to Stone and the guards.
“We can all walk out of here, we can go back to Club Trick, have a drink, have a laugh, and promise none of what happened tonight will leave this place.” Dante looks at Eva, swings his eyes to Rhett, they dust over me, linger on his dad, then land on Nik.
“I’m sure that’s what Nik wants, what he believes can happen, but I’m far less optimistic than he is.
“You see, Eva, I remember talking with you. Of course, I didn’t know it was you; I thought I was talking to Ghost, a new crew member trying to make their way.
I didn’t fault them for doing what they were doing.
After all, I allowed your father to bet college money.
That’s why I paid Nik’s way. Because your father spoke about him so highly, I knew he was something special.
Your dad, though, he was too caught up. Same as you.
You’re too caught up, and that’s why I don't believe you're going to do the right thing when we leave here.”
Eva stands tall, facing off with Dante. She’s still cold as ice, not letting anyone around her think they’re getting to her. “And what would you like me to do? Host Christmas at my house?”
Dante scoffs. “I want you to be a decent human being, but do you even remember how to do that?” She rolls her eyes, and he continues, “You’re smart, Eva–extremely. And there’s room for you, but only if you put in the work to fix this.”
“And how do you expect me to do that?”
His smile is cold, calculating, much like the glint in his eye. “You’ll pay your dues under my thumb, just like anyone else who has wrongs to right.”
“And if I refuse?”
“If you refuse,” Dante responds, his words completely devoid of emotion. “Then I will have no other choice than to make you,” he pauses, his stare intensifying as he adds, “Or end you.”
Eva is quiet, but she doesn’t flinch or look away. After a few long moments, in a tone far less confident than usual, she says, “And if I fail?”
Dante holds her stare, his expression almost dreamy, his mouth curving up slightly. “Then you’ll never be free of me.”
They continue to stare at each other, the tension in the air palpable, but then, he blinks, and the moment is gone.
Not waiting for Eva to respond, he turns back to us.
“Let’s go.” He turns his back on everyone and walks out the way we came in. I’m left stunned at what I just saw. If I didn’t think Dante had power before, the way he just commanded everyone to fall into place was something else.
Dante walking out sets us in motion, and everyone follows behind. Even Rhett, and once we’re out into the night air, the only one left inside is Eva.
I take in Nik’s composure, and he’s standing tall and strong, but I know he’s hurting. His mind is swimming because, although we had prepared for what could have been, we never thought it would end like this.
Nik clears his throat. “Dad, um, where are you going?”
He steps up beside Dante. “Don’t worry about me tonight, son. It’s all going to be alright, and I’m not going anywhere.” He claps Dante on the back. “Dante’s been kind enough to already set me up for the night. I’ll go see your mom tomorrow.”
I feel Nik tremble, and I drop my legs from his hold. “I’m okay. I need to walk.” I take his hand as Stone leads us to the car. He helps me in and buckles me into the back, sliding in right next to me, not taking his hands from me, as if I might disappear if he does.
I kiss him softly and lean into his large, warm body. “Are you okay? I can’t believe your dad is here.” My eyes go wide as he looks down at me, with the same type of shell-shocked look.
He grumbles. “I honestly don’t know. I don’t know how to feel. I moved on with life, but was never able to grieve because I never had answers. It’s like he was brought back to life. After three years of not knowing, there are still so many questions.”
“And we’ll get them. Just not tonight.”
He nods as Stone gets in the driver’s seat and starts up the truck. We back out slowly, the headlights flashing over the building, and see Eva standing in the doorway with a look of disbelief on her face.