Page 37 of Don’t Break My Heart (Secrets of Ravens Hollow #3)

Romeo and I spend the morning with Asher catching us up to speed on what we have missed before any other staff arrive. Apparently, the new VIP rooms are close to being finished, and he and Romeo are excited about the launch party they have been organizing.

I try to listen to them, I really do, but I’m so distracted.

I’m trapped back on the island and lost in Italy.

So much has happened in such a short time that I can’t even process what it all means or how I really feel about it.

Cruz’s words keep coming back to me. Put yourself in his shoes.

I try to imagine what it was like for Onyx when I was gone, and when we were all in Italy.

I’m sure it was hell. That’s why Reef thinks I’m selfish as well.

Because all they wanted to do was keep me safe, and I kept pushing them.

The deeper we sank into the life that Emilio had left behind, the more horrified I was.

I can’t stand knowing there are innocent girls being hurt at the hands of those thugs running that club we visited.

It’s more important than my life. It would have been worth the sacrifice if I could have made a difference.

Wouldn’t it? But then the guilt eats at me because I already know what they have given up for me.

Especially Reef and Onyx. I don’t even know what he was rushing off to this morning.

From what he implied, he doesn’t have a job to go to here anymore .

And that thought brings me to another thing I have to deal with now that I’m home. Jagger’s little friend Commissioner Sedgwick. I wonder how long it will take her to find out I’m back and come looking for me.

“What do you think, Sloane?” Romeo says, his eyes locked with mine.

I blink a couple of times and look between him and Asher. What were we talking about again? “Sorry, what?”

Thay both look at me strangely, like they are worried or something. “You’re not about to pass out, are you, Sis?”

“Have you eaten today?”

“I’m sure I did,” I mutter. “Actually, I meant to but then Onyx stopped in and I had to get out of there, so I guess I skipped breakfast.”

That earns me a glare from Romeo. Shit, he looks like Orlando when he pulls that face.

I stand and make my way over to the bar fridge. Taking a fresh juice, I pop the top and take a large swig. When I turn back, they are both still watching me, their faces way too serious. “Stop looking at me like that. Juice is practically food. I’m not going to pass out, alright.”

“After this I’m taking you for breakfast.”

I roll my eyes. I’m not going anywhere for food with Romeo this morning, but his eyes tell me it’s not up for negotiations, so I don’t let him know that just yet. “What were we up to?”

“We could host one of those love games on opening night. You know the idea you pitched me, Sloane.”

“Oh yeah, maybe,” I mutter, imagining what that scenario would look like.

I can’t, right now the idea of love makes me feel sick.

I can’t even sort out my own love life; how can I help other poor girls with theirs?

“You two keep working on that. I’m going to take a walk around before this place gets too busy,” I say to the two of them, standing up, my legs shakier than I want them to be.

Maybe Romeo is right and I need something to eat.

Romeo stands as well, concerned, his hand coming to my arm. “I want to show you the progress next door. Then we can go get some food.”

“Maybe later,” I mutter over my shoulder as I push away from him and open the door, stepping into the hall. I flinch when I realize Onyx isn’t there waiting for me. I have come to expect it so much, it’s unnerving that he’s not there. Fuck, what is wrong with me. I’m actually a basket case.

“Is she okay?” I hear Asher ask as I close the door.

“She’s been through a lot,” Romeo mutters back to him. I’m surprised when the door doesn’t open, and he doesn’t follow me out. I’m actually being allowed some space for once. Well, maybe my protest is being heard after all.

I finish my juice as I walk the back corridor, sucking in a breath before I attempt to face them all.

You have this, Sloane, you have done this a million times before.

This time just feels so different. I don’t have Onyx by my side, and I’m different.

What if they don’t respect me anymore because the rumor mill has gone into overdrive while I have been gone.

What if they ask questions I don’t want to answer.

My head spins, and I take hold of the wall in front of me to keep from going down.

I can hear Onyx’s voice in my head telling me to take a breath, in for four, out for four. I keep breathing, letting each controlled breath bring me back to normal. You can do this, Sloane , I tell myself one more time before I shove open the door to the main bar.

When I step into the well-lit space, it’s already a hive of activity, and I wonder how long we have been in my office for.

All the chandeliers are on, there’s staff behind the bar restocking the wall of booze from boxes, and the girls are here talking quietly as they look over our computer system. It’s just a normal day.

“Sloane,” Myriah squeals when she looks up to see me. She barrels across the room toward me. Throwing her arms around me, she pulls me in tight. “I can’t believe it’s really you.”

“It’s really me.” I hug her back, surprising even myself. But fuck, I missed this girl.

Sally is next. Leaving her place behind the bar, she moves toward us. “Group hug!” She laughs, throwing her arms around us both. “It’s good to have you back, chick.”

“Did you bring the husband?” Myriah asks, and I cringe. That was the question I didn’t want to answer.

“No husband. Orlando stayed in Italy to sort out his family’s business.”

She glances down at my hand then back up, looking a little puzzled. Yeah, the ring is missing, but I’m not emotionally stable enough to get into what happen there. “I was dying to meet him.”

“Looks like you won’t get the chance.” I shrug out of her grip, needing to move on.

“Where’s Onyx?” Sally asks, glancing behind me like she expects to see him slink out of the shadows.

I roll my lips. “Not working for me anymore.” Another question I wanted to avoid.

They pin me with their stares. “What the fuck happened to you, girl?” Myriah asks, her voice more serious than it ever is.

I sigh heavily, feeling the weight of the last few weeks pressing down on my shoulders. “It’s a long story. Can we just pretend I never left and get on with it? I need me some normal.”

Myriah glances at Sally, and they share a look. “Got you, girl.” She laces her arm with mine. “Do you want to hear about why I hate your brother so much or about my awful date last night?” She smiles at me, all hopeful.

This is why I love this girl. I offer her a half smile, grateful for the distraction I know she’s about to provide. “Why don’t we start with the awful date, while we get this place ready to open.”

“Since I have already heard this story, I’m going to let you two catch up while I set up the bar.” Sally gives me a lopsided smile like I’m going to be rolling my eyes in no time and wanders off toward the main bar.

Myriah runs a hand through her hair and tosses it up into a high ponytail.

“I only went out with him because I was trying to get over… well, Asher. I’m sorry, I know he’s like your brother, but the man did a number on me.

And I know you warned me away a million times and I should have listened, but shit, girl, I think he’s got some sort of magic powers. ”

I take a stack of drink menus and start placing them on the empty tables. Myriah follows along beside me. “Okay, enough about Asher, what happened on your date?”

She grabs my arm. “I didn’t think dates could be this bad.

First, he picks me up on his bicycle.” Her eyes go wide.

“Turns out he’s lost his license from a DUI.

And after the first hour, I knew why. He took me to the Precinct.

I thought that was a strange choice but was willing to go with it at the off chance it might just erase my thoughts of you-know-who.

” She rolls her eyes. “But the asshole spent the entire time drinking like a fish and talking about his ex-wife who he was clearly still in love with. It was a disaster. Jagger had to kick him out after an hour because he was so out of control. I spent the rest of the night watching some football game I didn’t even understand with Jagger just so I didn’t have to go home alone. ”

“How bad did it get while I was gone, Myriah?” I ask, and I’m mostly talking about with Asher .

“Oh, so bad, sis. I’m out of dating options in Ravens Hollow. You’re so lucky you got to go to Italy. I’m so jealous.”

“Don’t be. I would have preferred to be here.” Even as I say it, I know the words are a lie. This club feels so small now. I got a taste of the world, and I hate to admit it, but I want more from my life than just wasting away in the same place I grew up in. “But I did mean with Asher?”

“Oh, yeah, it’s bad.” She pulls a face. “Erica is pissed with him as well. You know he was fucking her at the same time as me. I mean, it wasn’t like we ever said what we had was exclusive, but I thought it was implied.

” She rolls her eyes, spotting him and Romeo coming out from the back office together.

Romeo’s eyes meet mine, and they scan the whole way down my body like he’s seeing me for the first time.

Then his eyes meet mine and he smiles like I don’t hate him right now.

Something in it warms me up inside. And I hate him even more.

Why does he have this stupid effect on me?

“I fucking knew it. Romeo thinks the staff like him, but I knew this shit would happen with Ash in charge.”