Page 17

“Yeah?”
“She found him.”
Shit.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Mya
Stupid slut.She ruined everything. Everything!
I had been there, about to pull the trigger, and then she had sidled up to him from out of nowhere and wrapped her grubby hands around him.
I should have just shot them both. As soon as I realized he wasn’t alone, I tucked the gun quickly into my purse and walked away.
To my relief, the hall around me was empty. No one had seen me.
Fuck.I should have taken the shot when I had the chance. Should have left him bloody and dead and walked away like he’d done to Jason.
That’s what he deserved.
Anger, resentment, and bitterness ate at me.
I had failed. I tried to hold back a sob, but I couldn’t. I had failed Jason. I had failed my mom.
Maybe I just hadn’t deserved them. I was a failure. And I was so alone.
The tears wouldn’t stop falling and I was blinded by them. Not thinking, I fumbled to open one of the many doors that lined the hallway and found myself in an empty study. Just beyonda large wooden desk and even larger chair, was a set of ornate double doors that led to a balcony.
I went toward the doors, pushing them open, and I stood there, breathing hard, trying to catch my breath. I was crying and feeling as if I was suffocating. The air was thick. My heart was racing and I couldn’t catch my breath.
Suddenly, my legs gave out under me, and I was falling toward the ground. Then, suddenly, I felt strong hands pick me up.
Confused, I looked up and saw Dario standing there. His eyes were guarded as he said, “It looks like you’re having a panic attack. Just breathe.”
I did as he said, grateful for his presence, grateful to not be alone. He wrapped his arms around me. I leaned my head against his chest and just let myself cry. He held me, innocently.
He didn’t try anything. He just held me.
I sobbed for a while and then, as the tears dried, I pulled away in embarrassment and went toward the balcony railing, grabbing it, refusing to make eye contact, wishing he would just leave. I probably seemed insane to him, and honestly, I felt insane.
Five minutes ago, I had been about to shoot someone and now I was sobbing, having a complete panic attack in front of someone who was pretty much a stranger.
It was insanity.
“Are you done?”
He sounded dismissive.
Shaking my head at his audacity, I let out a bitter laugh. “For now.”
“Good.”
“You know, no one asked you to be here. You can leave.”
“A thank you would suffice.”
“You’re not getting one from me.”