Chapter 26

I wrap myself in the blanket, attempting to soothe the trembling. I’m safe, I tell myself on repeat, trying to get my body’s reaction to the scene back there under control. But I keep seeing the lifeless eyes of that man, the one whose blood is still all over me. My stomach rolls again.

Last night, I thought the worst thing that could happen was being trapped with these guys and forced to marry Alessandro, but now I understand why they keep saying they need to protect me. There is an actual threat outside of their fucked-up trio.

Time blurs as I stare out the window of Maddox’s car. My racing heart settling more and more as the overpopulated streets of Ravens Hollow turn into fields and country homes. Maddox is quiet, dealing with his own tumultuous thoughts. Leaving his brothers behind must have been torture for him. I hardly know them, and I’m torn up about it. I need to know they’re okay.

For the last few minutes, we have been traveling down a long, bumpy gravel road, pine trees lining both sides. The silence is heavy between us. Every so often, he glances my way. I can feel his concern for me after I totally freaked out back at the cave, but I’m okay now. I’m warming up and feeling safer the farther we drive away. It’s the others I’m anxious about. Why hasn’t one of them called us yet? I would never forgive myself if something happened to one of them while they were trying to protect me.

“They will be okay,” Maddox says, glancing in my direction, like he can read my thoughts.

“Shouldn’t they have called by now?”

He reaches for my hand, squeezing it. “They will call when they can.”

Goosebumps rise over my skin. When they can. “What if whoever was after me got to them and they’re dead?” I whisper, a fresh wave of panic taking off through me.

“Don’t let your thoughts derail.”

“How can you remain so calm after someone shot at you and blew up parts of the house right in front of us?”

He shrugs casually, as if it’s a typical Tuesday for him. I’m curious about how often he’s had to handle a situation similar to what occurred at their house today. The existence of a safe house implies the necessity for it. So, I have to assume it’s happened before.

He brings his Jeep to a halt and turns off the engine. In front of us in the middle of the woods, cradled by some of the tallest pine trees I think I’ve ever seen, is a beautiful, inviting cottage, with cedar-clad walls, a high-pitched roof, and a patio that hugs the left side. Ferns grow around the pebble driveway, their feathery fronds leading a path right to the front door, welcoming me. This place is the polar opposite to their mansion, and even without stepping foot inside, I know I’m going to adore it. I sigh in awe .

Maddox hops out of the car and meets me on my side, opening my door for me while I try to untangle myself from the blanket. He helps me out, and I wrap the blanket around my shoulders, still needing the protective warmth it provides. Especially since I’m still only dressed in Alessandro’s button-up from last night. I try not to notice the bloodstains covering my hands and the shirt sleeves from the man who tried to snatch me. What the hell was he thinking, that he could just snatch me up from right under a Moretti’s watch? He must have had a death wish to even attempt it. Either that or the D’Amicos are getting desperate now that the world knows about Alessandro’s and my engagement. Was that why he announced it so publicly? Was he expecting a violent retaliation like this to happen?

Maddox wraps an arm around me and scoops me up. “What are you doing?” I protest.

“You have no shoes on. The pebbles will cut up your feet.” He gives me a glaring look, as if it should have been clear to me. As we arrive at the patio, he assists me in getting back on my feet.

“Thank you,” I say, trying not to sound ungrateful, and pull the blanket around me a little tighter, even though I’m sure I would have been just fine to walk the short distance from his car to the house.

He places his finger on a keypad next to the door, causing it to unlock and open into the room. Once we’re inside, he closes the door and double-checks that it’s locked. This place doesn’t look as secure as the mansion, and I wonder how they think they can keep us all safe here if the last place was so easily infiltrated.

The interior of this home is truly delightful. The combination of warm wood and soft furniture gives it a cozy and comforting atmosphere, like a heartfelt embrace. Despite being much smaller than what we were used to, the kitchen exudes a delightful rustic charm, with pots and pans hanging above the stove and an old-fashioned-style oven. The leather couch, while it looks worn, is nestled in next to a cozy-looking fireplace. If we weren’t here because some dude is after me, this could be a relaxing holiday retreat. I half expect the place to be dusty since it’s just been sitting here not being used, but there’s not a speck of dust in sight. A hint of lemon lingers in the air, like someone has freshly cleaned it. How odd when they could have had no way of knowing we would have to use this place today.

“I’ll show you to the bathroom. You can clean yourself up.” Maddox passes me, heading toward the back of the house.

I follow closely behind him, not wanting to be alone in my vulnerable condition. While strolling down the hallway, a sense of nostalgia washes over me as I gaze at the floral wallpaper. “Why do I feel like I’ve been here before?” I mutter almost to myself.

He glances over his shoulder, his expression stern. “You remember this place, but not me. Nice to know.” He shoves open a heavy door. “Fresh towels under the sink,” he snips, and I get the impression I have pissed him off again. What did I do this time? This man is moodier than me on the pill.

As I walk by, he casually leans against the door. I observe him. Should I remember him? He was friends with my brother, so I’m sure we could have crossed paths when I was home on summer vacation, but I can’t place him. The only version of this man I remember was the one breaking into my father’s house in the middle of the night.

The bathroom features a traditional shower with a curtain, and the tiles have a gentle salmon-pink color. A free-standing clawfoot bath takes pride of place under a large window that looks out over the forest. My gaze flicks to Maddox, my heart suddenly racing. “I came to a party here with Marco, didn’t I? I got drunk and you stayed with me all night right here on the cold tile floor.” I stare back at him, seeing him differently. “You looked after me. ”

His eyes drop to the ground. “You shouldn’t have been drinking at all.”

I close the gap between us. “Yeah, that’s what you kept saying. You were so cranky with me. I must have been like fifteen or sixteen.” I stop dead in my tracks when a flash of a memory floods through me. “You kissed me.”

His eyes slowly rise to meet mine. He gazes at me, not saying a word, but the way his tongue darts out and moistens his bottom lip tells me all I need to know.

“That’s why you kept saying I was too young. Because you shouldn’t have kissed me.” My head feels like it’s going to explode. Not just from the pain throbbing through it, but because this revelation has literally just blown my mind. Maddox was my first kiss. It was a hazy, fumbled mess because I was so trashed on cheap beer, but he was so kind to me that night. I remember that part. He was sweet, not like the guy standing before me now. And he was scrawnier, lanky, with his hair darker, all long and floppy, hanging over his eyes. But I now know for sure it was him. How could I have repressed that memory? Or was I just so embarrassingly drunk that it was all too hazy until I was in this bathroom?

“Now you know.” He moves away from me and slams the door shut. The heavy vibration rattles through the room.

He’s mad at me because I didn’t remember him? Confusion swells through me. Why is my memory so blurry from that night? I may have been young, but I don’t believe I drank enough to forget the entire night completely.

I flick on the shower, waiting for it to heat as I try to remember what went down. The beginning of the night is crystal clear. Marco insisted on bringing me along because he didn’t want me to be alone at home, mentioning something about our papa and his business associate. I was pissed because I didn’t want to go out to some Halloween party where I didn’t know anyone except him. But when I got here, the place was raging. I quickly became fascinated. I’d never been to a party like it before. The living room turned into a dance floor. Everyone was in costumes. Hot older guys everywhere, some hooking up with girls, some playing games. There’s a pool here, and I got thrown in it. That’s why Maddox brought me up here. I was soaking wet. He gave me his shirt. It’s worn and sporting a couple of holes now, but I still wear it to bed. Oh God, how could I have blocked the night from my memory?

Suddenly, the door bursts open, making me jump. Maddox stands in the opening. “Fuck it,” he snaps. “That night meant something to me. You mean something to me, Harley.” His hands are on me before I even know what’s happening, his full lips devouring me in a desperate kiss, transporting me back in time. And I’m right here for it.