Chapter 21
TWENTY-ONE
W ho does he think he is?
I didn’t want Sin to see me cry; I couldn’t bear it, but the moment I stepped back into the guest room at his stupid house, I allowed the tears to flow freely.
Axle is in the bed, letting me hold him and sob.
Why does Bria have to be gone? Why does she always have to be gone.
Maxwell attempted to comfort me, not even saying I told you so. I wasn’t expecting of all things a woman on his lap, but I should have known better. I pull out my phone, noting no missed calls or text from him. Not that I would have replied, but a sorry would have been nice.
Me: Where are you?
Bria: Staying in Paris for the night. I’ll be home tomorrow.
Me: Ugh.
Bria: Everything okay?
How do I explain without sounding like a child? Your brother is mean.
Me: Sin is the biggest asshole I’ve ever met.
Bria: Lol you cursing is the best.
Me: Seriously, I have to get out of here.
My phone rings a moment later.
“Hey,” I say quietly.
Bria’s voice is calm, gentle. “I’m sorry you’re seeing this side of him. I’m not sure what he did, but Sin can be brutal at points.”
A small laugh escapes me as a tear falls on my cheek. “He’s terrible. I don’t know what to do,” I admit.
“Magnolia, you don’t have to be anywhere you don’t want to be, okay?” She has all of the confidence in the world. “Ever.”
A sob bubbles up in my throat, threatening to escape. “I don’t have anywhere else to go.”
“Didn’t Sin give you a card?” she asks.
I nod, although she can’t see me. “Yes, but he’s going to know exactly what I’m doing.” Not that he would come looking for me, because he couldn’t give ‘two shits about me.’
“True. Listen.” She’s walking, probably down a busy Parisian street. “Go into my room.” I follow her instructions, stepping quietly in my socks. Axle is on my heels, and I worry the little pitter-patter of his feet will give my location away.
“Here,” I tell her.
“Good,” she laughs at my rebellion. “Go into my closet, open up the third drawer on the island.”
I slip open the drawer filled with shimmering diamonds. “I don’t think jewelry will help my emotional state.”
“You underestimate diamonds.” I hear her smile through the phone. “Do you see the small silk ribbon, back left corner?” I run my finger along the smooth velvet liner until I reach the silk piece. “Pull it.”
I lift the corner, gently setting the velvet tray of glittering diamonds on top of the island. A row of cards, phones, and ID’s that resemble her lay on the tray.
“You okay?” she asks.
“Yes, just…” I don’t know how to word this. “Why do you have…”
“So many IDs?” She snickers. “Sin isn’t the only one who likes to keep safe, listen Magnolia, take the black card with gold numbers and slip it in your pocket.”
I do as instructed. “Where do I go?”
“Pick the fanciest hotel; there is no limit on that card, order whatever you want. Just be careful and pick one close by.”
I laugh knowing I’m not going to be doing that. “Bria… I don’t want to spend your money.”
“I know, I know… but it comes out of Sin’s pocket,” she teases.
“Oh, I’m definitely getting room service then.”
“Good girl,” she chuckles, “now take one of the burner phones and turn it on. Leave yours in your room.”
“Axle won’t stop following me,” I whisper.
“I think he’s your dog now. Sin is jealous.”
A small laugh escapes me, bitter knowing I’ll probably never see this sweet dog again. “Going outside, I’ll respond in a minute.” I lean down to give him a hug and a kiss on top of his head before slipping out onto my balcony for the second time tonight.
I blow Axle a kiss through the window, thanking my lucky stars that he doesn’t bark.
Slipping into the darkness isn’t hard, as I don’t expect Max to be ready to catch me now. He doesn’t think I would ever leave in the night like this. Everyone is wrong about me, and if I’m never around Sin again there isn’t a need for bodyguards in the first place. “Thank you so much,” I tell her, gripping my hands on the balcony railing.
“No worries, that’s what friends are for. I’ll be back tomorrow, and we can meet up to figure out what’s going on.”
“I’m sorry, Bria, I didn’t know what to do, but I can’t stay here.” I keep my voice low, just in case anyone is on the grounds below me.
“Don’t apologize to me, just be careful.”
I hang up, inhaling a crisp breath of air, readying myself. I’m more careful this time, placing each foot on the lattice to test it before allowing it to bear my weight.
A pang of hurt spreads through my chest. This unbelievable opportunity that I still don’t fully understand is in my hands, I’m literally holding the lattice that hugs this wall, this gorgeous home in the city. A safe haven.
My feet gingerly touch the ground and I take one last look up the dark brick.
And then I run from it.