“Alexandros and Nikolas. I’ve missed you both so much.” Caitlin drew both her sons in for hugs once we stepped onto the deck. “Geoffrey is in the house. He’ll be out soon.”
The tension was thick as both Alex and Niko hugged their mom. Niko met my eyes, not even trying to hide his worry. At least I wasn’t the only one who thought this was going to be a bad day.
“Sage, you look well. It is so good to see you,” Caitlin said as she leaned in for a hug. I stiffly hugged her back. So, this was how it was going to be. Pretend that everything was completely normal.
“Hi, Dad.” Niko’s tone was formal and filled with respect.
“Nikolas,” Theo Rossi said as he nodded to him.
I couldn’t help but notice that their relationship was much more strained than the last time I had been here. It was no surprise when Theo warmly greeted Alex. It made sense. Alex spent much more time with him. Niko was always watching me.
“Hello, Sage.” Theo turned his attention to me with a formidable stare.
“Hi.” I tried to sound pleasant, but from the looks both Alex and Niko were giving me, it probably wasn’t as good as it sounded.
We all sat at the patio table, and no one said a word for the first five minutes. Geo joined us, and besides a small smirk he shot at me, he kept quiet too. Even he realized how bad this was. I could have cried. It wasn’t even noon, and we were supposed to stay there until after dinnertime.
Finally, Caitlin spoke up. “Sage, how are you liking the house Alex rented? It’s a cute place, right?”
“Yes, very cozy,” I replied, fidgeting with the hem of my sundress. It was a great little house. The house I could never leave. They were crazy to think we could all have a normal dinner. I didn’t know how I was going to make it through the day.
“I’m sure it’s a bit crowded with Niko there.” Caitlin chuckled.
“Oh, Mom, she loves me,” Niko said as he flashed a half grin. He was acting like the person I now knew was a front. Or at least part of it. Because when it was just us two, he was completely different.
“I’m sure it won’t be too much longer until Alex and Sage can be on their own. You two are perfect.” She smiled as if she was trying to make me feel better.
Instead, panic flared in my chest. To live alone with Alex. I couldn’t think of a worse fate. Niko was the only reason I was still sane. I could be myself around him. Subconsciously, I counted on Niko to fall back on for anything. And even if he wouldn’t admit it, I had a feeling he would, no matter what. Hopefully. If he didn’t live at that house and if I could never get away, I would drink myself to death.
I attempted to keep my eyes free of my true thoughts as I joined back in on the conversation. Alex, Niko, and Geo were discussing some sports team. My gaze wandered to the pool. In the stress of thinking about coming, I didn’t bring a bathing suit. I was regretting that now. It would have been a much easier day if I could spend all of it in the pool without talking to anyone.
“Sage, want to help me get the snack tray ready?” Caitlin asked.
I nodded and got up to follow her into the kitchen. Anything to get away from that table. Caitlin opened the screen door, and I walked into the homey kitchen. It was clean but old. It hadn’t been updated in decades. The floor was the iconic black-and-white checkered design, and all the cabinets were a dark brown. She walked over to the counter to the tray, and my face scrunched in confusion when I realized it was already full.
“I know this must be hard for you,” she said gently, grabbing my hand.
I didn’t move, not sure what to say.
She continued, “I met a woman who wasn’t born into our beliefs. She married into it. One of the Elder’s wives. At first, she was apprehensive, like you. But now she believes. She does everything for the greater good. As you will in the years to come. I’m sure this year hasn’t been easy. But your choice to stay with Alex was the right one. Don’t mind Theo. He doesn’t like change, but he’ll get used to it.”
Caitlin smiled at me warmly as she let go of my hand and grabbed the food tray. I followed her back outside, still processing what I was just told. Years to come. I couldn’t do this for years. I needed to get whatever I could to make the society pay for what they’d done.
These last few months, I had nearly lost sight of that. Being watched all the time and having to play happy when Alex was around. The stress was almost too much. Then Niko began making it bearable. More than bearable. I enjoyed my time with him. It wasn’t enough. I still had to drink to cope with being around Alex. Niko was right. I was spiraling with the alcohol, and if I kept drinking, I’d never have a clear brain. I’d succumb to this life.
I sank back into the patio chair, and Alex glanced at me, his eyes warming. He wanted me to be comfortable here. In that moment, I remembered why I was doing all of this. It wasn’t just to survive. It was to make these people pay. For what they did to Lacey and my mom. To Kiara’s girlfriend, Valerie, and all the other women in the past. Surviving was part of it. But now it was time to do more. A small twinge struck my heart. Taking them down included Niko.
“I’ll be right back. I have to go to the bathroom,” I told Alex quietly before I could change my mind.
“I’ll show you where it is. I need to grab a drink anyway,” Niko piped up from across the table.
I pursed my lips. This wasn’t what I wanted to happen. Niko opened the door, and we both went inside.
“I know where the bathroom is,” I muttered impatiently. Before he answered, I was already making my way down the long hall.
The bathroom was at the end of the hall at the back of the house. Right next to the office—the place I really wanted to go. I peeked over my shoulder to make sure Niko hadn’t followed me and nearly jumped when I turned back around. I had forgotten there was a giant mirror at the end of the hall. Fear was evident in my eyes, but I opened the office door anyway.
The office was small and organized. There was one massive wood desk that took up the whole back wall. It had enough space to fit at least three computers. But there was only one small laptop in the middle. There was a small reading chair in the corner to the right of me and a stand-up light in the other. The desk had lots of drawers and two small cupboards. I looked in the hall again. My heart was racing, and every noise I made seemed deafening.
I didn’t know when I’d be back in this house, and I needed to know if there was anything here that was useful. The thick beige carpet masked my footsteps as I crossed the small room. Opening the top drawer, I peered inside. Only pens and some empty notepads. The next couple of drawers were just as disappointing.
I was about to open one of the cupboards when someone cleared their throat behind me. My stomach plummeted as dread froze me in place.
Fuck, I hoped it was Niko.