I bite the inside of my lip, keeping my annoyance under control. If Talon already didn’t look so beaten and tired, I’d smack him for ordering Leandro to cut me off from the world.
Leandro lowers his shoulders, relaxing a bit. “I did everything in my power, but Stacia—”
“You’re lucky she didn’t eat you alive.” Talon chuckles to himself, staring at the floor. Whatever anger that boiled on his sturdy surface dissipates as he gathers himself together.
I place my hands on my hips. “Stop talking about me like I’m not standing here. Come on, birdie. It’s been fucking days. You can’t do this type of shit and expect me to sit back placidly. I hate not knowing things. Where have you been and what the hell have you been doing?”
Talon turns his attention to Leandro. “Can you give us a minute?”
Shit. My nerves burst through me in waves, tensing my muscles. I thought I was prepared to confront Talon, but now that he asks to be alone with me...I’m panicking.
“Just tell me,” I argue, blocking Leandro from leaving. “Tell me, and then you can go. Get some sleep.”
Talon bobs his head, his face a series of lines with his frown. Now’s not the time to get into things with him. His current state might break the wall I built around myself to keep him out. I’ve just never seen him so...I can’t explain it. Not weak. But maybe worried. For me.
“You don’t have to worry because you’re not wanted for murder. You’re missing, and now the media reports possible foul play. A lot of people are worried about you.”
Fuck my life.
I guess being missing is better than being wanted, but I can only imagine what my un-initiated family is going through. My mom—oh, no. If she thinks something happened to me, she might relapse. She’s been doing so well at the posh treatment center in Monterey.
I comb my fingers through my hair and spin toward the wall. I’ve been worried about myself these last few days, thinking about the consequences when I should’ve been freaking out about how this affects everyone in my life.
“It’s going to be okay. It’s better this way. It’ll give us a chance to figure out what the hell really happened and who did this.” A warm hand touches my shoulder, Talon now standing behind me. I break under his touch, my body wanting to give out.
The door to the suite clicks closed as Leandro silently leaves. This is all too much. I want to be alone, but I also don’t.
“You can’t just keep me out of things. I need to know what is going on. This is my life. I should get a say, right?” I tremble with my words. When have I really, truly gotten a say in my life? I never even had a say in my initiation. My life was already built before me, and the gilded path I’ve been following turns out to be more treacherous. It’s not made of gold, but of iron spikes, and I could trip and impale myself at any moment.
“I just want to protect you.” Talon pulls at my shoulder, turning me around. His eyes meet mine, his intensity trapping me in place. It’s the same look he gave me the moment he admitted how much he wanted me.
“Can you blame me if I struggle to believe you? Part of protecting me is keeping me informed. I’m not some outsider. I earned my damn place in the Society of Secrets. I’m the heir to the St. Germaine Empire. Don’t you think that counts for something? You can’t keep treating me like a naïve college student.” I lower my voice to keep it from breaking. I can’t help but think of the last moment we were together and how he so easily discarded me. Rejected me.
“I’m not treating you like a naïve kid, Stacia. I’m treating you with care and gentleness. I’m not a decent guy. I know you know this already, but I don’t want to prove it to you. So please, give me a small break. I’m trying my best.” Talon reaches up and grasps my chin. “I know some of this is because of how I left. I know I hurt you, but things are complicated.”
“You patted me on the fucking head. You were too ashamed to even give me an ounce of affection in front of Leandro. And then you vanished for days. This is more than hurting me. I felt used.” I turn my head, getting him to let go of me. It’s the space I need to take a breath and to break away from our attraction keeping me frozen in place. “And what made it worse was that you just come stomping back in here, threatening Leandro like he’s the one in the wrong. You made it clear. I’m not going to be your little secret. I’m not going to be something that complicates your life. I’m sorry if this isn’t what you want to hear, and I’m sorry that I just can’t accept your word and be understanding. I’ve already been hurt, and I need to be able to trust you. And right now, I can’t. Not until you can trust that I can handle things.”
My fucking eyes. I wish they wouldn’t tear up. I don’t want to cry in front of Talon, but I’m so confused and angry.
“I think it’s best that you leave me alone, get some rest, and think about everything I’ve just said. But don’t you dare, and I mean fucking dare, try to threaten another man I’m interested in because you’re too cowardly to be with me how you want.” I take a couple of steps away, keeping my eyes on Talon as I walk backward.
He shifts on his feet and scrubs his palms over his cheeks, uncomfortable with the fact that I’m crying while calling him out.
I expect him to argue with me. I expect him to try to give me a dozen excuses.
But instead, he once again doesn’t meet my expectations. He turns around and leaves, not bothering to close the door.
I’m left standing in the middle of my bedroom with both Leandro and Esteban standing in the hallway. I don’t know how to react, so I stride forward and slam the door in their faces.
I just want this whole fucking day to be over.
I refuse to stay in my room, keeping out of Talon’s way. He can avoid me all he wants, but he claims I’m not a prisoner, so I’m not going to act like one.
Strolling down the stairs, I peek over the banister at the empty foyer. Only the light of the television flickers in the living room, but I don’t hear any noise. Leandro is nowhere in sight, probably either patrolling the perimeter or sleeping. I’m not even sure what time it is without my phone.
The glow of a fire on the beach sparkles on the other side of the panoramic windows, and I spot a figure sitting on the sand. I grab a blanket off the back of the leather couch in the entertainment room and wrap it around my shoulders. I haven’t been outside at all this whole time, only looking at the expansive ocean from the window. But it’s dark out, and I don’t think Leandro would’ve started a fire if he thought it would cause problems.
I exit through the glass back door and onto the stone walkway that disappears into the sand. The ocean roars as waves crash against the beach, and I tread my way toward the bonfire.