Dishonorable

A sudden surge of energy ripped through me and I slapped at the rings, sending them flying to opposite corners. I turned on the water and washed my face before meeting my reflection, my eyes red and puffy.

“All this is the past. You’re the past.”

My heart ached at the memory of his words. I was angry and humiliated, and I just felt so sad. For him. For me. Because in a way, he was right. And I had been right. He had to let the past go for it to let him go. Maybe he had no choice. But how did I come out as collateral damage? I’d thought it would be different. I’d thought this thing that had started out so ugly had turned into something beautiful. A lasting love.

I gripped the hair on either side of my head and pulled.

I needed to go. To get out of here. I couldn’t see him again. I couldn’t be in the same house. It was just too painful. I found my phone, and although it was late, I dialed a local taxi service and arranged for someone to pick me up within half an hour. My phone was low on battery, so I plugged it into the charger and began to pack. I’d just take a duffel bag of essentials. My priority right now was getting out of there.

Twenty minutes later, I called Charlie, who raised his head and came when I opened the door. I checked my purse for the key my grandfather had given me. It was right where I’d left it, in the little zipper on the side. As quietly as I could, I went down the stairs. Although Raphael’s car was gone, I wasn’t sure if Eric was somewhere on site or if he’d come back. But I didn’t run into anyone as I made my way blindly through the living room, into the kitchen and out the door, where I walked down the mile-long gravel path toward the front entrance of the property.

When I got there, the taxi was waiting. I opened the back door, and Charlie jumped in ahead of me. After dragging my duffel in behind me, I settled Charlie on my lap and told the driver where I was going. Guardia Winery. Luckily, he knew exactly where it was, because I didn’t remember, and within a few minutes, we were out of sight of Raphael’s house.

It was Saturday night. No one would be working tomorrow, so I’d have the day to plan what I wanted to do and get things sorted out for myself. I would spend the night in my mother’s old bedroom with her ghost for company. We were twenty minutes down the road when I realized I hadn’t grabbed my phone off the charger. In my rush, I’d forgotten it.

I sat back in the seat. No way was I going back for it. I wouldn’t get lucky not getting caught leaving twice. Although it’s wasn’t like Raphael wanted me to stay. Hell, he’d probably be pleased I was making this so easy for him. I shook my head, banishing all thoughts of him.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Raphael

It was close to midnight by the time I got home. My attorney had worked overtime, getting the paperwork for the sale of the house in order. I’d been ready to sign, but we’d hit a snag. A document the buyer had to provide, and he hadn’t. I guessed the holdup was the fact that it was the weekend, and Italians didn’t like working weekends. I’d hoped to get everything signed and finished today. The less I had to think about it, the better. And the faster I could do what I’d told Sofia I’d do—let go of the past.

And once I’d signed, I couldn’t change my mind.

Selling the house was my last resort. I hated to do it. Damon hated me having to do it. But there was no other way. Moriarty wasn’t fucking around. I couldn’t take a chance he’d hurt my family over this. It wasn’t worth it.

As I walked past her room, I tried hard not to think about her at the chapel. Not to see her face when she’d knelt at my feet, looking up at me when I told her I didn’t love her. I just needed to remember I was doing it for her own good.

When I reached my room, I heard her cell phone ring but ignored it. It was probably her sister. It’d only be early evening on the East Coast. I stripped off my clothes once in my room and had a long shower before collapsing into bed.

My old sleeping habits had returned over the last couple of weeks. I was running on three hours a night, and I was exhausted. But part of me didn’t want to sleep. It was the only way to keep the nightmares at bay, and the one about Sofia being behind that door—well, I just couldn’t handle that anymore.