Page 56 of The Villain

“Gage, let’s go see about that ice cream, shall we?”Vivi’s mother says, standing and taking Gage from me as quickly as she can.

“Thank you,” I say to her even though she doesn’t acknowledge me. She walks away and I slip into the booth across from Vivi. “You ever get something like that again, you don’t open it, understand?”

She’s surprised by my tone, clearly.

“It could have been something else,” I say, reaching over to touch her hand, trying to soften my tone.

She nods, bites her lip. “How did they know where he’d be? Why would they…” She looks over at her mom and Gage.

“Listen, I’m thinking a vacation might be a good idea.”

“What? Vacation? I can’t just?—”

“Only until I figure out what’s going on. I need you to be safe, Vivi. You and Gage and your mom. Anywhere you want to go. Hawaii, right? You love Hawaii.” Seth had proposed to her in Hawaii. Recalling that, I notice she’s taken the engagement ring off. That’s new. I don’t comment. It’s been two years. She’s young. Of course she’s going to move on with her life. She should move on with her life.

She must notice me looking and sets her hands on her lap.

“If I agree, no soldiers when we’re back, okay?”

“Not okay. Hawaii then?” I take my phone out.

“You don’t get to decide. Seth wouldn’t?—”

“Seth would want me to protect you,” I say, cutting her off. I lean across the table toward her. “Seth would want you safe. You know that. I will take care of this,Vivi. I promise. You’ll stay at the house. There’s a pool there, you’ll have everything you need. Gage will love it. Your mom will. Hell, it’s freezing here.”

“Cassian—”

“Vivi, I’m not asking,” I make clear.

She studies me for a long minute, then, finally, nods. “I need to pack.”

“Just essentials. I’ll arrange for anything you need to be there before your flight lands. Just give me a list.”

“My mom?—”

“Your mom will want you safe.” I slip out of the booth and Vivi’s mom returns with Gage who is holding a popsicle in a bright, unnatural blue. “I hear you’re going on a plane,” I tell Gage who makes an O out of his mouth and looks at me with huge eyes.

“A plane?” Vivi’s mom asks, eyebrows high.

“Vivi will explain, Mrs. Chance. I need to go. I’m sorry for what happened. It shouldn’t have happened.”

She snorts.

“Vivi.” I give her a nod.

I ruffle Gage’s hair and walk out of the diner, all eyes on me as I climb into the SUV just as my phone buzzes with a text from Angelo.

Angelo: That was too easy and you won’t like it.

There’s an attachment and when I open it, my blood boils.

Because the gun is registered to Blackstone Holdings.

15

ALLEGRA

Idon’t know how long he leaves me down there in that freezing place, in that dark. I gave up calling for him a little while ago. My throat is too raw. Water drips somewhere and I feel a cold breeze coming from the deepest dark. I don’t know where the corridor leads. I don’t know what’s down there and I don’t think I want to know.