"Because you're fucking mine." The words come out in a snarl.
"I'm not," I say. "Not until you admit she's gone. Can you do that for me, Dex?"
His silent stare says it all, and I shake my head in disbelief just as the limo pulls up into the Booth driveway. "Goodbye, Dexter."
He watches silently as I get into the car. The windows are tinted, so I tell myself he won't see me watching him. I don't take my eyes off him until he's gone.
"It's going to be okay." A hand finds mine. I look up into Lai's eyes, smiling weakly.
"Thanks for letting me stay with you," I whisper. "I didn't know who else to call."
"It's okay." We sit there in companionable silence. "Do you love him, Pandora?"
I struggle with my answer, not because I don't know the truth, but because I don't want to admit it. When I do, everyone will know for sure. And I'll be the weak one again. The one with no power.
"Sometimes," I finally whisper.
"It's okay," he says again, his hand patting mine. "Sometimes, I love him, too."
My eyes snap to his. "Really?"
"Really." He laughs nervously. "Not that he'd ever... you know."
"Why did you agree to help me?" I whisper. "You never wanted to before. Do you feel sorry for me?"
"No, Pandora." He smiles, but there's sadness in the expression. "I'm just an idiot caught in an epic love story that has no room for me."
His words cut deep, and I think about them while we drive.
"Where are we even going? I don't know where you live..."
"You'll see soon enough," he replies with a smile. "You'll find out everything."
"It seems like it's never everything," I mutter. "This town has too many secrets."
He smiles just as the car starts moving up a winding driveway. We reach the house then, one I never knew of, another beautiful Gothic mansion illuminated by perfectly placed spotlights. It's like a scene out of a movie.
"This is where you live?" I ask. "It's amazing."
"There's a lot you don't know about me," he replies. "Come on, let's go inside. I want you to meet my brother."
I allow him to open the door and lead me up to the house. I feel shabby in my thrown together outfit, especially when the maids give me questionable glances as they scurry past us.
"You're safe here," Lai reassures me. "Stay as long as you want."
"Thank you." We stand in the hallway, his hand lingering on mine, our eyes locked in a silent dance. I have so many questions, but I'm too afraid to ask. Lai gives me butterflies. Lai makes me feel safe. And yet I'm so afraid of him. Not like Dexter. Dexter hurts me because he knows I love it. Lai... Lai hurts me because I hurt him.
But for the time being, he's an ally. And I need to keep it that way.
"Come on," he says, offering me his arm. "I have a lot to tell you."
I smile, accepting his offer and allowing him to lead me down the hallway.
I tell myself everything is going to be okay and I don't need Dexter Booth at all, not with Lai around.
But I don't believe my own lies.
I know I'll go back to him.