CHAPTER XIV

A fter my visit with Tabi at the coffee shop, I sat in my living room by the bay window, giving myself a moment to settle my thoughts. This window was one of my favorite things about this apartment; the way the light filled the room brought warmth to everything in its path, including my emotional turmoil. I cradled a steaming cup of hot cocoa overflowing with marshmallows and started to hum one of Billy Ellish’s tunes. My gaze drifted to my electric violin standing in the corner.

I made my way to the kitchen, rinsing out the mug before returning to the living room. Kneeling beside the custom-made black stand Dad made for my birthday last year, I pulled out the yellow electric violin. I carried it and the bow over to the window.

Mom was a violinist and would play while pregnant with me. One of her favorite songs to play was “Somewhere over the Rainbow.” That was now one of my favorites to play. It made me feel closer to her.

Over the last few years, I began to write music of my own. Not only was writing a way to escape my nightmares, but the idea of turning those words into a piece was even more therapeutic. I turned something ugly into something beautiful.

Today, instead of playing one of my own, I chose a song that I could relate to— “Lovely” by Billie Ellish and Khalid. I positioned my violin on my collarbone and held it in place with my jaw. With my eyes closed, the notes danced together, creating a gentle symphony as I pulled the bow along the strings. My soul left my body and escaped into the world of music, where peace and love awaited. For just a few moments, my pain and tears ceased to exist. But then a subtle knock at my door broke the spell.

Another knock soon followed.

“Winter?” a female voice said through the door.

“What the—” I mumbled. I walked to the door and looked through the peephole. Sure enough, Mya stood outside with Enzo and another guard behind her. I sighed and rested my forehead against the door, not wanting to have to deal with anyone associated with Nico.

I removed the chain, unbolted the door, and pulled it open halfway.

“Hi, Mya,” I greeted her with a tight smile, wondering by the stoney look on her face if she was sent by Nico to finish me off.

“Why are you here?” I asked.

“To check in on you.”

“I wasn’t aware managers makes house calls.”

She shrugged. “I’m not everyone.”

Mya pushed inside without waiting for an invitation.

“I can see that,” I muttered.

She made herself comfortable by sitting on a chair, her legs crossed and her arms draped over the armrests.

She looked like a queen.

“How are you?” Mya asked.

“Fine,” I responded.

“To answer your question, I was just checking in. Seeing how you’re holding up after your run-in with Nico the other night.”

My fists clenched involuntarily. “Like I said, I’m fine.”

“I call bullshit. Word around is you mouthed off to him pretty good.”

I said nothing because Mya wasn’t wrong. I usually kept my head down, didn’t draw unnecessary attention. But something about Nico pushed all my buttons. Still, I knew by the murderous look on his face that provoking him had been a mistake.

Mya looked me over carefully. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

I shook my head. “No.” But it was close, I wanted to add but didn’t.

Mya sighed. “Winter, you can’t poke the bear like that. Nico may be reckless, but he’s not stupid. Next time, he won’t let you walk away so easily.”

“I know,” I sighed. “It’s just...he gets under my skin.” And turns me on at the same time. That was what pissed me off the most.

Mya’s expression softened. “I understand. But you need to learn to pick your battles more carefully. Play nice with Nico from now on.”

I nodded slowly, a knot tightening in my gut. As much as I hated to admit it, Mya was right. I couldn’t keep antagonizing Nico; he was too powerful. His wrath would be devastating.

“I understand,” I replied quietly.

Mya held my gaze steadily. “See that you do.” Slowly, she got up from her chair and went to the door. Pausing with her hand on the doorknob, she shot me a meaningful look. “I will always look out for my employees.” With a firm click, she closed the door behind her, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I sank into an armchair, replaying our conversation in my mind. I knew Mya cared about my well-being in her own tough-love way. But warnings of what Nico could do to me only stoked my curiosity further.