I look at the phone I’d set on the counter. I’d just been texting Liam.
“Yeah.”
He takes it, turns it around for me to enter my passcode which I’d set up the other night, then pushes a bunch of buttons before handing it back to me.
I take it.
“When you’re ready to hear some truth, you call me, and I’ll tell it to you. I know you may not believe this, but I am not your enemy, Cristina.” He turns and walks to the door, grabbing his coat on his way out.
I exhale as soon as he’s gone, but it’s not a long reprieve because the door to the study opens again, and Damian and Tobias exit.
When they see me, they stop.
“I’ll wait downstairs,” Tobias says.
“Send Cash up,” Damian says, approaching me. “How long have you been standing there?”
“I just came to get a glass of water.” I sip from the glass.
He studies me. I guess he’s trying to gauge how much I heard.
“I saw Lucas leave,” I say, not wanting him to question me. He sees right through me if I lie. “He seemed upset.”’
“Upset is an understatement. I need to go. I’ll be back late. Cash will be inside the penthouse. There are soldiers in the lobby and around the building. You’ll be safe.”
“Is it all right if I run a few errands?” I ask. “With Cash,” I quickly add.
“What errands do you have to run?”
“I brought back a library book I should return,” I say, and it’s true. I did bring the library book with me that I’d had in my backpack the night he’d come for me.
He raises an eyebrow. “I’m sure the library won’t miss your book.”
“There’s a café a couple of blocks away. I used to go all the time.” I shrug a shoulder. “I miss my life, Damian.” When he doesn’t say no right away, I push on. “Cash can come with me. I don’t mind. I’ll just say hi to some friends.”
He draws in a deep breath as he considers. “All right. Cash stays with you at all times.”
“That’s fine.” He can be in the same café. It’s a big place.
He nods, turns to go but comes back to me. He takes his wallet out of his pocket and hands me a wad of cash. “For coffee and whatever else you want.”
Want. Not need.
I shake my head. I’m reading too much into it.
He’s giving you money because he took yours, and you depend on him even for a stupid cup of coffee. How embarrassing.
“Thanks,” I say, taking it.
His gaze sweeps over me and before I know it, he has one hand at the back of my head pulling me close. I’m not sure if he’s going to kiss me or what but he brings his mouth to my ear and holds me like that for a moment.
“Be good, Cristina,” he warns.
I nod, looking up at him as he draws back.
Cash enters and Damian leaves after giving him instructions to take me to the café. I pick up my phone. I scroll to where Lucas programmed his phone number, but I don’t call it. Instead, I text Liam.
Me: Hey, you still at Roasters?
Although Liam had gone to stay with his mom initially, he’s back with his dad until the end of the school year. I’m glad because it means I get to see him.
Liam: Yep
Me: Order me a latte. I’ll see you there in a few minutes.
Liam: Did you finally grow a spine, Cousin?
He inserts a chicken emoji.
I send him the middle finger emoji.
“Ready?” I ask Cash as I put on my coat and slip the money into my pocket. There’s at least several hundred dollars in there. I wonder how much Damian thinks coffee costs.
“After you,” Cash says, opening the door.
Cash is exactly one step behind me for the entire walk. When I get to the café, Liam has a table for two near the window.
“Here,” I tell Cash, handing him some money. “I’ll be with my cousin. You go somewhere else.”
“Mr. Di Santo said—”
“That you have to come with me, and you did. Look, that table just opened up. Grab it before someone else does.” I walk toward Liam without waiting for him to answer me and drop into the empty leather armchair from which Liam removes his backpack.
“You snagged the good seats!”
“Sure did. It’s good to see you out and about,” Liam says and hands me a large cup.
I take it, wrapping my hands around the warmth of it. “It’s good to be out and about,” I say, truly smiling and meaning what I say. I didn’t realize how much I missed the city. The busy streets. Even the never-ending sound of horns honking.
“How are things? How are Simona and your mom?”
“They’re doing all right. Simona misses you.”
“And Uncle Adam?”
His face grows darker. “He’s drinking.”