“Sure, Will.”
She took one of my fries and popped it into her mouth. After we finished eating, it was time to get her to bed. How the hell was I supposed to keep things normal with what had happened, with Jason revealing what he had, and me knowing the real truth?
After all, I still needed to deceive him. But maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea? He wanted to separate from the company, and if I were to give Anton the information that implicated him, maybe that’s what would happen?
Or maybe I was trying to gloss over what I was doing. Either way, my brother’s safety was on the line.
I walked with Willa to her room, helped her get ready for bed.
“You’re sure about those guys, right?” asked Willa once she was in bed. “They’re not going to come get us?”
“I’m sure. Your dad’s going to make sure they don’t. He loves you.”
“Do you love me?” she asked, her blue eyes wide and expectant.
“I do. I love you lots, Will.”
“OK. Good. Because I love you, too. And I don’t want you going anywhere.”
“I won’t.”
Another lie. How was she going to take it when I betrayed Jason and left? The thought was enough to make me sick to my stomach.
I gave her a kiss on the forehead before turning the lights off and shutting the door.
I wanted to talk to Jason. About what, I wasn’t sure. Was there even anything I could say to him that didn’t require me lying?
But I wanted to be near him. As crazy as everything going on was, being with him made me feel safe in a way I couldn’t put my finger on. He should’ve been my enemy, the man standing between me and my brother. But he wasn’t.
I cared for him. I knew that for sure. It was against all reason, all rationality. But I’d fallen for the man, as much as I didn’t want to admit it.
After checking around the vast expanse of the house, I found an open door on the third floor. Behind it was a stairwell, one that spiraled along a narrow hall and went up, up. I scaled it, finding another door at the top.
It opened out onto the roof, the evening cool, the sounds of traffic rushing up to greet me.
Jason was there, standing with his back to the door, his tall, built frame outlined by the city below. One hand rested on the top of the terrace railing, the other held a glass of something.
“How is she?” He didn’t turn, and his voice was deep enough to carry over the din of traffic.
“She’s fine. I think. Maybe she’s scared and putting on a brave face.”
“She’s strong, like her mother.”
He turned, his regal profile backlit by the tall buildings across the street.
“Come. Join me.”
I approached, some hesitation in my steps. After all, I knew I still needed to keep Jason at arm’s length, not get too close.
But I couldn’t help it. I felt pulled in two directions at once, one toward him, the other away. I was in over my head, and deep down I was scared.
Soon I was at his side. In his hand was a glass of red wine, an empty one on the railing next to the bottle.
“Have a feeling I’d be joining you?” I asked.
He allowed himself a small smile. “I’d hoped. Care for some?”
“A little.”