“You may be… favored,” Simon goes on, his tone full of derision, “for familial reasons, but even you will not be spared from his wrath if you put his wife and children in danger.”
James shakes his head in disbelief. “Danger? What danger could I possibly put them in?”
“Don’t play stupid, James,” Simon snaps. “You know exactly who her father is.”
Simon’s words seem to hang in the air, ringing like a warning I don’t understand.
I thought he was working for my father…
Isn’t that why I was rescued in the first place?
What’s going on?
I peer up at James.
James looks down at me, his face stricken.
Confused, I whisper, “James? What’s wrong?”
Did I do something wrong by being who I am?
James stares into my eyes, his dark and clouded. His hands squeeze me, as if he’s trying to reassure me.
Or reassure himself.
I tighten my grip on his shirt, clinging to him. Suddenly afraid that we’re going to be separated for some reason.
“Fine. I get it, Simon,” James says after taking a breath. “But I’m still taking her home.”
“What part of you do not have permission do you not understand, James?” Simon questions impatiently.
“I need to make sure she’s safe, Simon. What part of that do you not understand?” James snaps back, his voice cracking like a whip.
“Safe?” Simon chuckles after a moment. “None of us will be safe if you insist on following through with this foolish errand.”
James shakes his head in denial, but Simon goes on.
“Even now, it’s clear your judgement is clouded. Arguing with me over a direct order…” Simon makes a sound of disgust. “Do you truly believe you have the strength to resist the temptation even he could not resist?”
James flinches and his grip on me tightens.
“If you truly cared about her safety, as you say,” Simon mocks, “you wouldn’t risk it.”
James’s hands squeeze my arms so hard it becomes downright painful.
I make a squeaking sound and try to pull away to escape the pain.
All the color drains from James as he realizes what he did.
Instantly, his hands release me, and he takes a step back.
We stare at each other, both surprised by what just happened.
Heart thumping against my ribs, I have no idea what’s going on, but I have a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Recovering first, James’s looks at my arms, where he squeezed me, and his expression hardens with frustrated determination. “Damn you, Simon. Fine. You escort her home, but I’ll be checking on this myself.”
Simon makes another sound of disgust.
My heart literally feels like it was ripped in half.
“What?” I gasp up at James as Simon says, “I have no reason to lie.”
I take a step toward James, but he takes another step back. “Go with Simon, Sophia.”
Shaking my head, I say, “I don’t want to go with him. He’s a stranger…”
And immediately feel stupid for saying it.
James is just as much a stranger.
A stranger I happened to kiss.
For a brief second, James’s face pinches with a look of pain. Then he shakes his head and takes yet another step back. “You’ll be safe with him.”
Hurt and still confused, I ask, “Why won’t I be safe with you?”
What’s changed?
What’s different?
I try to get James to meet my eyes, but he refuses. He looks everywhere but at me as Simon walks up and drapes a jacket over my shoulders.
“Come on, Miss Cronin. Your father is eagerly waiting for you,” Simon says, mentally nudging me to follow him.
“Why won’t I be safe with you?” I ask again and walk up to James, completely ignoring Simon.
Reaching out, I grab James’s hand.
At first, his fingers squeeze around mine, then he rips his hand back.
Out of everything that’s happened to me…
Somehow, this little rejection hurts more and cuts deeper than any of the other shit did.
I blink at James, my eyes burning with the threat of tears, trying to understand what the hell is going on.
None of this makes any sense…
What did I do? What did I do wrong to make him give me up so easily?
“James?” I ask, but he turns his back on me and pulls a phone out of his pocket.
The message clear.
He wants nothing to do with me.
Just like that.
I’m nothing again.
“Miss Cronin,” Simon says at my side, reminding me of his existence. “If you’ll come with me, I’ll escort you home now.”
I stare at James for another long minute, willing him to look at me. Willing him to turn back and acknowledge my existence.
But he doesn’t.
After pressing on his phone, James brings it up to his ear and growls, “Matthew…”
I’m left feeling stupid and pathetic watching him listen to someone who’s obviously more important than me.
I’m so sick of feeling stupid and pathetic.
So sick of being hurt again and again.
Simon sighs heavily and says impatiently, “Miss Cronin…”
Hearing my name again is like a splash of cold water to my face.