Page 94

He knows I’m curious, and he always shuts me down. Even though I’d never run. I know what he has been through, and I’ve decided to accept him for what he is. I never want him to change.

He gives me a soft nod and spares me the details. I squeeze his middle before returning to the sofa.

Lucien stole my spot so I settle for the chair. Dante comes over quickly, motioning for me to stand so I can sit on his lap.

I melt into him as I cuddle into his chest.

Lucien gives him a nod from the sofa as if they are speaking in code. Dante gives me a tight squeeze, making me feel uneasy at the silent interaction.

“Astra, we need to talk.”

Astra stares at Lucien as if he has lost his ever-loving mind. I tense in Dante’s arms.

“I quit cheating on you, so that you would get off the drugs. I, however, found some pills in your nightstand. Despite what you told me, they are new.”

Astra shifts her gaze to the floor. I roll my fingers in gentle circles on Dante’s chest, not wanting to be a part of this conversation.

“I lost my sister.” Her eyes swell with tears as her voice cracks.

“We have all lost people we have loved, Astra. I’m not asking you. I am telling you. You can have the drugs, or you can have me.”

Her lip trembles as she tries her best to keep her composure. Her eyes lift to meet Lucien. He stares sternly back. Dante brushes my hair with his hand, and my head settles against his chest. He knows I’muncomfortable.

“I will never choose you,” her voice edged with something dark and dangerous. She quickly stands, wincing in pain, and rushes out. Lucien follows, I’m sure, to make sure she doesn’t hurl herself over the edge of the mountain.

I stay quiet and stop circling my fingers when Dante grabs my hand, squeezing gently.

“I know she is hurting right now. She will come around.”

My words catch him off guard as his expression hardens.

“I know, baby.” He lifts my chin and gives me a delicate kiss. I pull back and give him a hopeful expression.

Hope is all I have for Astra right now. She needs all the hope she can get.

37

Evelyn

I got to class on time for once. I have been living in peace with Dante. Now that his father is out of the picture, I feel a whole Hell of a lot better about our relationship. He will have to pick up extra work, since he is the only one to run the “family business” and all. He said he has men who work for him, but he still prefers to do most of the work himself.

I pull out my phone to send a text to my parents:

Hey mom & dad. Are we still on for dinner tonight?

XOXO,

Ev

I will have to wait for their response, given that it takes them forever to check their messages. I scroll through my phone as I wait for the professor to close out the class. I stop on a post from Astra posted at 4 A.M. It’s an old photo of her out at a party, and the caption reads:

I will always be me.

Yes she will. I like the photo and close the app. After last night, I think she needs some time to think. It wasn’t right of Lucien to put that kind of pressure on her while she is still recovering. I wish I could take away her pain.

The class dismisses, and I head out to where my ride awaits.

“Miss me?”