And his gratification, this time, will be making me pay for what I did.
Paulo has held so many things over my head since we met. I was young, innocent, and stupid when I first walked into the studio to pose for him. And when he realized I was merely prey to his predatory gaze, he took advantage. I fell into the lifestyle of the rich and famous, partying every weekend, enjoying the life I’d been given. Little did I know it all came with a cost.
At least, I should have known.
But I lost myself in the drugs, and when Paulo realized he could easily sway me with a pill, a line of white, or a joint, he took control. After the first year, I was hooked, taking in the highs with the lows. That’s when my father got sick, when I broke down once more, and Paulo was there to pick up the pieces.
At first, I thought he was my hero. The man who swooped in when I least expected and would make everything okay. Even after the previous year, I hoped for the best. But when Paulo’s true colors shone through, when I saw the monster behind the handsome façade, I realized my mistake.
My life was filled with missteps as I tried to guide myself through the darkness that claimed me as its victim, and yet, I still try to find the light. My biggest regret, my only regret, is hurting Cassian when he didn’t deserve it. Tonight, I’ll make it right; I’ll give him anything he wants, just to ensure he can forgive me. He needs to move on, like I have, and live his life free of the past. But even as I think that, I know it’s a lie. I haven’t really moved on, I couldn’t. And Cassian knows it.
Now all I need to do is figure out a way to get out of the house and not alert Paulo of where I’m going. An idea comes to mind, and I pick up my phone; there’s only one girl I know in Thorne Haven, one who knows about the past, about all the bullshit that’s gone on in this town—Genevieve.
If she can cover for me, perhaps I can see Cassian tonight. I’m not sure what he has in store for me, but whatever it is, I know I deserve it. After the third ring, I hear a voice I haven’t heard in a long time.
“Hello?”
“Genevieve, hi, it’s Kalyn Narro,” I say, nerves eating away at me. We were in the same school. When I was younger, I was in her sister’s class but never became close with either of them. They were merely my acquaintances rather than friends.
“Twice in one week,” she whispers, “I didn’t think you’d ever come back here. Not after what happened.” That’s one thing I was worried about, that Genevieve would know about what went down with Cassian. She was more than in love with Damien for a long time, and I’ve heard rumors about her and Finn, ones she’s never denied.
“I was wondering if you could help me with something. You’re the only person I know in town.” I shut my eyes so tight I see stars behind my lids. She doesn’t have to do this. We’re not exactly friends. But there’s no other way I can get out of this house tonight.
“And why would I do that?”
“I received a rose, a burnt rose,” I tell her, the words falling from my lips in a breathy whoosh. My stomach twists as her gasp comes through the line. She knows what it means. The game we used to whisper about when we were at school is more than an urban legend. The Thorne brothers, and the Haven brothers, leave a burnt rose on your doorstep, or have it delivered because they’re showing an interest. Once you receive one, you have to meet them in the woods behind Thorne Manor, and that’s when the real games begin.
“Cassian,” his name is whispered over the line, and I nod to myself. She knows everything about us. There’s no hiding from the past anymore, and there is no denying that I want to see him, even though the ring on my finger hangs heavily with accusation.
My relationship with Paulo is as fake as most of the people I’ve met in my time in LA, but Cassian can’t know that. At least, I pray he doesn’t because his family has connections, and he could garner information anytime he needs it. All I can do is pray he hasn’t figured it out so I can use it to my advantage when I see him tonight.
“What do you need?” Genevieve asks then, shocking me because I didn’t expect her to even consider helping me.
“I need to see him, but I can’t get out of the house with my fiancé here,” I whisper, hoping Paulo isn’t eavesdropping. “If I can tell him that I’m meeting you, he’ll allow me to leave.”