But what kind of person am I if I leave her with a monster?
I don’t bother to fold my clothes. I shove everything into the duffel bag. It’s packed tight with maternity clothes. When I came to his house months ago, I had next to nothing. A car that was nearly out of gas that I was living out of, he turned my life around.
How can I ignore what he’s done? The lies he’s told, the truth’s that he’s kept from me.
There are footsteps at the entrance to my bedroom. The door is open, and I glance over my shoulder.
It’s Jace.
Astrid isn’t in his arms.
“I put her in the crib. She’s sound asleep from the drive,” Jace says. “Are you all packed?”
“I think so,” I say.
He steps into my room and grabs my bag, hauling it down the stairs and to my car, putting the duffel into the backseat.
Matteo steps out of the nearby office. “I texted you the address to the apartment complex where you’ll be staying. Unless you want me to drive you over, make sure everything is safe?”
“I can handle it,” I say.
Does that mean I’ll no longer have Jace’s men and guards following me? Does he think Luka is no longer a threat to me because we’re not together?
I shouldn’t stay in the city. I should get as far from Jace and Luka as possible. They will always be at war, and I don’t want to be near the destruction they bring to the city or themselves.
I had dreams of leaving Los Angeles, traveling to Breckenridge for a fresh start.
Maybe it’s time to make those dreams a reality.
Jace walks me outside and down to my car. He opens the driver’s side door. Is he expecting a hug or kiss farewell?
Anger resonates through my body, pumping blood harder, making my heart race and my hands sweat.
“Take care of her, Jace,” I say. “Luka’s still out there, and he’s dangerous.”
His gaze tightens. “Not as dangerous as me.”
Why does everything have to be a competition among men? I exhale a sigh. That’s my cue to leave. I pull up the text from Matteo and grab directions to the apartment.
For tonight, I’ll stay at the place he’s arranged for me to live. But I can’t stay there forever.
“Goodbye,” I say and slip into the car.
He shuts the car door for me and steps out of the way. I fasten my seatbelt, start the engine, and head toward the iron gates. The guard opens the metal doors, allowing me to go.
It’s the first time in months I’ve been allowed to leave alone.
It’s refreshing and terrifying at the same time. I grip the steering wheel and follow the directions my phone gives as I head for my new apartment.
It’s time to go home.