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“No, but thanks. I want to go home. I’ll be fine,” she replied in the most civil tone I’d heard from her yet.

“Then at least let me come and stay the night with you. I’ll sleep on a the sofa if it makes you feel better. I just don’t want you there alone, Ava.”

“You’re still a good guy, aren’t you, Jack?” She smiled at me, then grabbed her cane from the floor and started trying to pull herself up.

“Not really,” I shrugged. “But I like to look out for the people I care about.”

“The girl you cared about isn’t here anymore,” she said as she leant heavily on the stick and the desk and hoisted herself up with way too much effort and energy she clearly didn’t have. “You have to let her go and leave me be.”

“That’s never gonna happen now I got you back, love.”

“You didn’t get me back because you never had me in the first place, Jack. Thanks for helping me.” She walked exhaustedly toward me and patted me on my forearm as she passed me, then she was gone.

I knew I should go after her. I knew I should at least see her safely to her car, but I couldn’t. The girl I had spent ten years pining for, and loving, had just blown me off and it fucking hurt.

CHAPTER 3

AVA

There were tears in my eyes as I stumbled and bumbled my way down the stairs. By some miracle I didn’t go rolling down them though, and by the time I reached the bottom I had pulled back the useless tears,

It hurt to walk away from Jack after saying the things I said, but none of it was untrue, and even if he did still care for me, he’d be better off not bothering. I had told him the Ava he knew was long gone and I had meant it. The Ava, who was fun, feisty, free, and crushing like a teenager on both him and Mason had started to die that night I ran from the club, and in the decade since she had continued to wither away until all that remained of me was nothing but the empty shell that vaguely resembled the girl Jack once knew.

I had no idea what my future held, but it definitely didn’t involve a relationship, and certainly not one that Jack and Mason needed – a D/s relationship. All I could focus on was keeping my failing body going long enough to ensure Colt was safe, and then I’d return home, to the way things were. There was no other life out there for what remained of me.

I was fading as I walked through the back area of the club and finally made it back to the entrance. The stairs had been more than my weak legs could handle, so they were beginning tospasm. My entire being was shaking from sheer exhaustion and the pain down my back was taking my breath from me with each step.

I bypassed the front desk and moved for the door out to the street. I didn’t have time to linger. I knew it wouldn’t be long before my body just gave out on me if I didn’t get sat down soon.

“Hey!” A deep voice called after me as I stepped outside and continued walking. I glanced back and saw Deak - the large security guy from earlier - coming after me. “Where are you going?”

“None of your business,” I told him as I turned forward and again and just focused on not slipping. If I fell again there would be no getting up this time, not as exhausted as I was.

“It’s late and it’s not safe for you to be walking around alone. At least let me get you a cab,” he said, and I knew he was close behind me from the thud of his heavy boots on the sidewalk.

“I have my car around the corner, and I can handle myself, but thanks.”

“I’ll walk you to your car then.” Before I could even tell him I didn’t need him to, he was at my side, keeping stride with me.

“Aren’t you needed at the club?” I asked, even my voice sounding done for the day, coming out quiet and with a tremble.

“Someone’s covering for me. Did you find your brother?” he asked.

“No. Not yet, but I will.”

“Where is he? I haven’t seen him this week.” Deak asked.

“I don’t know,” I sighed tiredly. I paused, and tried to stretch my legs a little, shifting my weight from one foot to the other to try and ease the spasms in my thighs. Tears filled my eyes again and I swiped at them angrily with my free hand. I didn’t fucking cry! I never cried and this was twice in one damned night,

“Sweetheart…” Deak started to move closer when he saw my watery eyes and I quickly lowered my face as I stepped backwards away from him.

“Don’t! I’m fine,” I told him as I pulled myself together enough to raise my head again.

“It’s been a tough day, I’m guessing?” he asked.

A laugh bubbled out of me and I sniffled as I tried to pul it back together. “Yeah, let’s go with that,” I added as I forced myself to get moving again.

“Is the pain in your back, or your legs?” he asked as he resumed his slow pace at my side.