“Where is this going?”
“My job has always been to protect Cas.”
“I know.”
Ridley shuffled closer. “Don’t tell Cassius we talked. His life may depend on it.”
Reluctantly, I gave a nod, needing to hear where this was going. “Can you get a message to Archie?”
He waved that off. “Listen, whatever you think of Cassius, he’s a good man. He’s made some shitty decisions. You being one of them.”
“I know why he brought me here.”
“It’s all been one confusing situation.”
“Stephen killed his parents.” Astonishment dripped from my accusation. “In cold blood.”
“That rift happened a long time ago.”
“Stephen never went to prison for it.”
“I know this has all been hard for you.”
He was changing the subject, and it infuriated me.
“You’re a lawyer. You didn’t think to prosecute the man who killed your father’s client?”
“You’re very naïve, Anya.”
Affronted, I folded my arms, compelled to walk away. “What’s your point?”
“They will kill him.”
Cassius. He meant Cassius. . .
Ridley stepped back as though aware the space between us was too intense to sustain. “If you don’t go home . . .”
“He told you that. Stephen?”
Ridley gave a sharp nod. “I can’t stop it.”
“They’ve already tried.”
“Your father will let him live, Anya. But he must return you home first. Safely.”
“Cassius won’t let me go.”
“Then you have to leave of your own volition.”
“I don’t want to go back.”
Surprise flashed over his troubled features. “Maybe there’s been an element of brainwashing. I’m sure Cas didn’t mean to—” He searched for the words.
“You have to tell him they’re coming.”
“You love him, don’t you?” Ridley didn’t wait for my answer. “If you really care about him, you must go home.”
Shaking my head, I silently pleaded with him not to say this, these terrible words that would mean me abandoning the man I loved.
We both heard it at the same time—a car pulling up in the driveway, the familiar sound of wheels rolling on gravel. Cassius was home.
Ridley fixed a glare on me. “Leave with me now.”
“No.”
“Obviously, Cassius will come after you. If he turns up at your home, though, he’ll be shot on sight. It’s imperative you make him see you don’t feel the same way about him.”
“And lie to him?” I bit out.
“If nothing else, Anya, do it for your brother. He’s not well. He needs you.”
“What do you mean not well?”
Ridley’s expression turned tortured. “I didn’t want to scare you, but his complexion is pale. He may be having some kind of breakdown.”
“I need to talk with him.”
“Apparently, neither of you were allowed phones.”
“Bring Archie here. He’ll be safe.”
“Only if I want to be six feet under.” He sounded affronted. “Leave, or they’ll kill him. If you don’t go back, no one and nothing will stop your father’s rage.”
“I never really knew my dad.” My heart broke as Ridley’s threat closed in.
“Take it from me, you don’t want to.” He waved that off. “Just do it until your brother is better, perhaps. I’m sure he’d do the same for you if the circumstances were reversed.”
“You’re willingly sending me back!” I inhaled sharply. “After everything you know about that man?”
“You’re his child, Anya. You’ll be safer than anyone. His family comes first in all he does. Stephen promised that if you come home now, he won’t harm Cassius. It will be over.” He gestured his frustration. “I’m Cassius’s counsel. I do what I feel is best for him.”
An arctic chill sliced into my bones. “Cassius won’t let me go.”
“Well then, you’ll have to find a way. Or his death will be your fault. His blood on your hands.” He stepped back and headed down the hallway, leaving a blast of terror in his wake.
“Wait,” I called after him. “Can you promise Cassius will be safe?”
He pivoted to look back at me. “I’ve kept him alive all these years, haven’t I?”
I wasn’t so sure that was true—more likely it was despite this man that Cassius had remained alive.
“I’ll wait ten minutes.” His voice was a hushed whisper. “Cassius trusts you not to leave. He told me himself. We’ll get a head start because of it. I’ll take you home. Be strong, okay?”
Trembling, I gave a nod. But even as I agreed to go with him, I doubted I could go through with it—through with leaving this place, leaving the one man I’d fallen so in love with.
Yet if saving his life meant I had to leave him, I’d have to find the strength to do it.
Leaning on the wall, trying to stay upright and not crumble, I inhaled through my panic as I tried to think this through. I could just leave. Not tell Cassius. Only he would come for me with no explanation.
He’d die trying to save me.
I had to find another way to break it off. And I knew, knew with all my heart there was only one way through this, and that was to crash into hell and make a life for myself there.
My heart shattered into pieces as though it was already done.
Anya
What if I was making the worst mistake of my life?
How would I know?
I was never going to survive this.
Pressing my palm to my chest, I replayed Ridley’s rant about how Cassius’s life was threatened, his words haunting my every step toward him. Finding him in the kitchen, his face lit up when he saw me as he happily shoved one of my cookies into his mouth.
He looked relaxed and seemingly more beautiful than the last time I’d set eyes on him.
Contentment.
Knowing I would be the one to shatter it sent a strike of pain into my beating heart—threatening to stop if I went through with this.
Maybe we could take our chance. Maybe we could leave here and go abroad.
Archie won’t survive it.
By the time we tried to rescue my brother, it might be too late for him. Ridley was right about one thing; Archie would never abandon me. I might be the only person who could save him.
If my father had sent an olive branch for me to grasp, and I refused it, and Cassius was killed, I’d never forgive myself. I’d have to live with that forever.
He was just so beautiful in his boyish mischief, taking another cookie, coming around the kitchen island to hug me. “Coffee?” He smiled.
His body warm and comforting against mine as he pulled me in close.
“Sure, thanks,” I said, even as I knew I wouldn’t drink it.
Ridley told me he would wait for ten minutes. I was certain I had eaten through half that time already.
“How was your day?” I asked.
Cassius waved it off. “Business. Boring shit. Yours?”