Chapter 28 #2
“You’re making it impossible for me to love you.”
He lowers his eyes to the ground, releasing me. “Just fucking go.”
I move on autopilot, entering the lift and letting the doors close behind me.
Mase
“She worked it out in the car. I don’t know how she knew about the piano.”
“She needed to know.” I shrug Vinny off, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Follow her.”
He nods. “What are you going to do?”
“I need to talk to Charlie.”
He lingers in the foyer, and I know he wants to say more.
“You could tell her. You know she would understand.”
“She isn’t the only person I’m trying to protect here, Vinny!” I snap.
His face screws up in disgust. “We don’t need protecting! It’s about time everyone took responsibility for their actions. You can’t keep carrying this so heavily on your shoulders.”
“You have no idea what I carry on my shoulders! She is too good!” I roar, pointing my finger at him. “Too good to be tainted with this and too good for the likes of me.”
“Maybe you’re right. But you need to make a decision, Mason, because if you choose to keep this from her, you will lose her for good.”
Then I lose her for good.
Nina
My feet eat up the pavement as I rush down the street and away from the penthouse.
My mum let me down so many times in my life, and every time she did, I’d pull my defences higher, shutting the world out a little more each time.
I let my guard slip momentarily with Mason, and he made promises which I foolishly believed.
Now I want to revert back to my safe space, and I don’t feel like I have it.
This last year my studio became my safety blanket, and I feel stupid to have allowed myself to rely on something that didn’t belong to me.
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I try to call Lucy. She doesn’t pick up, and I know it will be because she’s working. I try Megan instead.
“Hey, babe!” she answers cheerfully.
“Megs, are you free?”
“I’m at work; what’s up?”
I look around at my surroundings, noticing I’ve walked a good distance and I’m close to the city.
“My studio.” I shake my head. “Erin’s studio—” How the hell did Mason have something to do with selling Erin’s studio? “Mason sold it. I don’t know how, and I’m so confused.” I palm my head and try to digest the words that have just left my mouth.
“What?! What do you mean?”
“I don’t even know.” I stop short, frowning as I think of something. “Megs, can I call you back?”
“Are you okay?”
“I’ll call you as soon as I can, I promise. I’m fine. I just need answers.”
“Okay, text me, Nina. I’m worried!”
I hang up and scroll through my contacts until I reach Erin’s number.
Maybe she can shed some light on the situation.
It rings four times, and I almost give up, but then her confused voice echoes down the line.
“Nina?”
“I know you asked me not to call, but I just found something out, and I needed to talk to you,” I rush out, hoping she doesn’t hang up.
“No, it’s fine. I was hoping you’d call. I’m glad you came to your senses.”
The hairs on my arms stand to attention. I need to be smart here. “Yeah, I did.”
“Are you safe? He won’t leave you alone, Nina. If you’re clever you can benefit from this.”
Benefit? “How?”
“Money. Money talks, and people will pay a lot to keep those voices quiet.”
What on earth?
“Is that what you did?”
She doesn’t answer me, and I worry my tone might have given me away.
“At first it wasn’t a choice. He is a dangerous man, Nina.
I did what I had to. You can’t give him the control, and you have to use this against him and not let him get the upper hand.
I wasn’t smart, and now I’m on the other side of the world. ”
She’s in Australia because of Mason?
“How long have you known him?”
“Since… wait. What has he told you?” she asks defensively.
I close my eyes and panic. What do I say to that? “I know about the piano.”
“The piano.” She laughs, and it’s cold and detached. “I will never know how I pulled that off.”
“Erin—”
“Will you stop fucking calling me that!” she snaps. “Do you have any idea how much harder you make my life just by calling me? And pretending to know something you don’t… that’s dumb, Nina. I thought you were smarter. If I were you, I’d get out whilst you can. Don’t call me again.”
“No! Please, wait!” The line goes dead, and I clench my fists until my nails bite into my palm.
“Why can’t anyone tell me the damn truth!” I seethe out loud.
“Nina.”
I close my eyes upon hearing Vinny’s voice, my head beginning to pound. “Unless you’re going to tell me what the hell is going on, leave me alone.”
“I always knew you were strong, from that first day I met you.”
I glare towards him. “I don’t want your voice of reason crap right now, Vinny. You won’t win me over today.”
“I’m not trying to. I just want you to know that it wouldn’t make you weak if you went home. He doesn’t see it yet.”
“He doesn’t see what yet?” I snap.
“Your strength. He thinks he does, but your true strength, deep down inside of you, from the years of hurt at the hands of your mum.” He looks at me in knowing, and I’m reminded that Vinny was the one who looked me up for Mason.
He probably knows more than anyone. “When he sold your studio I felt disappointed in him—it’s why I left.
I felt for you, and I tried to stop him, but he was blinded by the need to keep you safe.
It was stupid. It didn’t protect you at all, and you’re not in any danger now.
What he did was irrational and impulsive, but he wouldn’t change what he’s done, and I respect him for that.
He is a good man, Nina. His heart is in the right place. ”
“You didn’t go on holiday—you left because he sold the studio?”
“Yes, but don’t mistake my cowardliness for anything but that. When the time came, he did what he had to do. I should have stood by him.” He drops his head, staring at the pavement.
This is ridiculous. “Please, just tell me what’s going on. Erin is acting differently, and I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”
“I can’t tell you because it’s not for me to say, and Mason believes it’s not his story to tell either.” He grimaces as I step back from him. “Give him your trust and the rest will come.”
“You do understand how utterly impossible that is right now?”
He shrugs. “Where are you going, Nina?”
I shake my head, not having a clue but knowing I need the space. From everyone. “I don’t know.”
“Do you want company?” he calls to my retreating back.
“No.”
“But you’ll call, if you need anything?”
I nod my head. It’s impossible to stay mad at Vinny.