The Sweetest Oblivion (Made 1)

“Where’s your cell phone?”

I suddenly realized I hadn’t taken it with me when I left. I hadn’t had one for so long it was hard to remember. “I forgot it.”

“Convenient.”

I swallowed. “I wrote a note.”

“So I heard.” His gaze fell to my hand. “Where did you find that?”

I glanced at the lighter, recognizing I’d brought it with me. “On the floor after you got into it with my brother.”

“You kept it.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

I hesitated, a lie forming on my tongue before I swallowed it down. I felt bad enough about today that I couldn’t stand to be untruthful.

“It was yours,” I breathed.

It went so quiet I could hear the beats of my heart.

Bu-bum.

Bu-bum.

“You’re forgiven,” he rasped.

A heavy pressure drifted off my shoulders.

His tone was harsh. “You won’t leave this house again without talking to me first, do you understand?”

I nodded.

“Say it.”

I forced myself to meet his gaze. “I won’t leave the house without talking to you first.” My lungs tightened because it wasn’t a promise I could keep. Not yet.

“If you want to see your family, I’ll take you.”

I chewed my bottom lip. “My papà might shoot you.”

“Maybe.” He seemed unconcerned.

Something twisted in my chest at the thought. Made me feel hollow.

He pressed my back to the workbench, braced his hands on either side of me, and then he

leaned in and kissed my throat. I sighed and tilted my head. I hadn’t expected it to go like this, but it could be said I never was that great at guessing what Nico would do.

“Can I ask for something?”

“Shoot,” he drawled against my neck.

I said it before I could stop myself. “I want Isabel gone.”

His lips traced my ear, and seconds passed as I held my breath.