“I know you can’t do this on your own. Let me help you.”
She has no idea what she’s asking, and even if she did, there’s no way I could allow her to be pulled into what I’m doing. I’ve been fighting hard enough to keep Cameron out of my mess.
“I think you should go now.” I’m digging in my closet, feeling each item for a sweater… jeans…
My phone buzzes, and I drop everything to lunge for it. It’s closer to her, and she snatches it up before I get there. She reads the text loud and clear, and my insides cringe.
Follow Boulevard d’Italie into the mountains toward Menton. Will meet you on the old windmill road. Don’t be alone.
“Give it to me.” I hold my hand toward her, but she doesn’t do what I ask.
“What does this mean ‘Don’t be alone’?”
“Ava,” I sigh. “You have to trust me.”
She’s quiet, and I listen to the creak of her shoes as she paces my hardwood floors. Her heels are quiet, which means she’s wearing flats. The leather squeaks softly as she takes four steps to the right and stops. She turns and takes four steps in my direction. The closer she gets, the faint scent of her perfume grows stronger. It’s freesia… or some small flower.
“Zelda did this,” she says. “She believed getting us involved with Wade Paxton was her fault, and it was up to her to make it right. As if he wouldn’t have found another way…” She stops, and I hear a tone of anger enter her voice. “She never considered my feelings. She wouldn’t let me be a human who would be hurt by her choices.”
Going to my window, I face the street, doing my best to discern meaning in the haze before my eyes. “I don’t know your sister. I never met Wade Paxton. But I do know Blix Ratcliffe. He’s a monster we can’t stop.”
“He almost killed my sister.” Ava’s voice wavers. “Now he’s threatening my friend.”
“You haven’t known me long enough to feel an obligation to help me,” I say quietly.
“You didn’t know me at all when you tried to kill him the first time.”
My failure at the villa is another reason to say no. “I couldn’t betray Logan.”
She crosses the room to where I’m standing, reaching down to capture both my hands in hers. “I’m sick of being locked away in the palace, unable to help anyone. That’s not me. It’s never been me.” She pauses for a breath, but I know her eyes are on me. “I won’t be innocent if I let you face him alone. Together we can do this. We can take him by surprise. Zelda and I always worked better as a team.”
I’m still not convinced. Shaking my head, I go to the door. “I won’t hand you over like a lamb to the slaughter.”
“So I was right.” Her voice is solemn, and I know she’s not leaving now. “When he said ‘Don’t come alone,’ it meant you were supposed to bring me to him.”
“As if I can tell you where to go. It’s ridiculous. I plan to tell him that.”
“You’re right. You can’t tell me. Which is why I’m coming with you.”
“Ava…” I growl, pushing her hands away.
“What happens to your brother if you show up without me?”
My throat squeezes tight. “I plan to offer myself in his place.”
“Because he won’t accept that.” Her voice is rising, and I hear the frustration in her tone. “Stop being stubborn, Kass. Let me help you.”
“You can’t! You’re not strong enough!”
“Let me get this straight. You think a blind girl with no weapons and only an argument that an insane man is making insane demands is somehow stronger than working with me?”
I’m growing weary of fighting. I’m running out of arguments. “He has helpers… thugs… who do whatever he says.”
“Okay.” She’s walking around my apartment again. “What does he want? Ultimately, I mean. He doesn’t want your brother. He doesn’t want me. He’s using us… What’s his goal?”
It’s possible I underestimated Ava’s brain. “Money.”
She stops short. “That’s it? Money? He only wants money?”