And thank fuck for that.
Standing in Bastian’s living room, I regret taking on this mission. If I hadn’t canceled on Mila tonight, would she be here now?
I pull up the text messages and read the time stamp on them. We talked before I was on my way here, which was only forty-five minutes ago. She must have been here already when I texted her.
This is the biggest break I’ve had in my parent’s murder, and I’m fucking regretting it. The only goal I’ve ever had was to get The Omen. No matter what, that fucker’s head would be mine.
Until she gave me something else to want.
The smell of apples and cinnamon fills my nose, telling me Mila is behind me before she says a word. I turn to face her; she goes to speak but seems to lose her nerve.
Her mouth opens and closes a few times; then, her brows pinch together as if she’s trying to figure out what to say. I guess she’s not one to have heart-to-hearts often.
“Are you okay?”
A strange look flashes on Mila’s face as she speaks. It’s almost like she put something unpleasant in her mouth.
Keeping my tone and expression neutral, I finally say, “Careful. It almost sounds like you care. Is Bass almost ready?’
Now isn’t the time to ask her what the fuck is going on; starting shit when I need Bastian’s help will do me no good. She nods, no longer willing to put effort into this conversation.
“I’m sorry I had to cancel on you tonight.” My fists clench at my sides, fighting not to reach out and grab her. “This is important to me. But I’m glad to see you and Bass worked things out, and I hope you’ll still let me take you out. As a friend, of course.”
Mila hears the lie as I speak it. She’s intelligent enough to know I’m only manipulating my situation.
“Be careful, okay?” She mumbles under her breath before slipping past me and heading out the front door.
I stare at the door with half a mind to say fuck it and run after her. My feet move automatically, and I get two steps closer to the door before Bastian’s hand slaps down on my shoulder.
“You good?” he asks.
I shake off his hand and lead the way out of his apartment. It’s time to suit the fuck up and get this over with.