Page 52 of Undeniable

“Oh yeah? And whose fucking job is it then? You? You wouldn’t last 2 minutes withhim, and you know it. Or is it the guy? Has he filled your head with idiotic delusions that make you think that he could chase all the monsters away? You and I both know that that is fucking bullshit.”

I raise my head a little higher, faking a bravado that I don’t currently possess. He is totally right. 110% right. I should shut my mouth, go with him and disappear into the dead of night, again. But then a pair of silver eyes pops into my head, followed closely behind with a much smaller green pair, and I know that I wouldn’t survive the heartbreak of not even getting to say goodbye. If I run,hewins, and I will be damned if I lethimtake another thing from me.

“I am not running,” I say resolutely.

Alec studies me for a moment before his jaw clenches. I can tell that he is debating on how he can get me out of here quietly over his shoulder without being seen. It would be a hell of a task but if there is anyone who thinks it could be done, it is probably Alec.

After a few moments he buries his fingers into his dark brown hair and pulls before turning around and punching a tree. Not one of his brighter moments. He turns back to me, his knuckles split and filled with splinters as blood drips onto the ground beside him.

“I can’t hold him off any longer, not without exposing myself.”

“I know,” I say softly as I take a step closer to him.

“If he gets a hold of you, you are going to have a fate worse than death,” he grits.

I nod as I take another step closer to him and grab his uninjured hand.

“I will do my best, but I can’t make any promises. If you really want to be safe, you have to get out of here.”

“I understand,” I say as I reach up onto my tip toes and kiss his cheek.

He wraps his arms around me and pulls me in for a bone crushing hug. We stay silent for a few moments before we break apart. I see his dark eyes beginning to fill with unshed tears as silent ones begin to drop down my face. We both know that ifhefinds me, this is most likely the last time Alec will ever see me alive. We are both resigned to my potential fate. But I would rather die tomorrow, completely happy than live for another 50 years in fear and isolation.

“TASHA!” Gio shouts, panic lacing his voice.

“I have to go,” I whisper as I begin to step out of the bushes.

Alec nods as he watches me go, not moving a muscle until I disappear from the tree line. I am not in the busy walkway for 2 seconds before Gio’s large body comes tumbling into mine.

“Where have you been? Are you okay? What happened?” He questions rapidly, his eyes scanning over my body for any sign of injury.

“Sorry. I fell behind and got a little turned around.”

His eyebrows furrow as his gaze settles on the tear streaks that are no doubt covering my cheeks. He doesn’t believe me for one second, and why should he? I am nothing but a damn liar. He opens his mouth to say something, but Alessandro comes running up to us and cuts him off.

“There you are! Come on, you didn’t see the mommy and baby elephant,” Alessandro says as he grabs my hand and drags me back towards the exhibit that they were just in.

Giovanni stays hot on my tail but doesn’t reach for my hand, instead he keeps his distance while his eyes continuously flick around our surroundings. If he is looking for the person that I was no doubt with, then he is wasting his time. Alec is like a ghost. He is only seen when he wants to be. I have no doubt that he is already in his car, driving away while the rest of the world around us in none the wiser.

A painful clench tears through my chest at the idea that I may never see him again. Granted, that was probably the most that I have actually spoken to him in over 2 years, but I always knew that he was there for me, watching over me, protecting me. Me refusing his help though, that is essentially cutting off our only tie left to each other and that breaks my heart.

Chapter Twenty

Tasha

The next few days are filled with a palpable tension. When we got back from the Zoo we went to our separate rooms, and we stayed there all night. I know that he is upset that I didn’t tell him the truth. I am not sure if he is just pissed that I lied or maybe hurt that I feel like I can’t tell him the truth. If only he knew, then he would understand. But him knowing is not a possibility.

I am helping Ashlynn fold some extra material in her studio when a sharp knock comes from the door before Gio steps inside. His eyes instantly find mine and instead of finding frustration in his gaze like I have over the last few days, I see an almost softness.

“Hey Ash, mind if I borrow her?” Gio asks.

Ashlynn shrugs. “I am not her keeper. She is a strong independent woman. She can make her own choices.”

Gio cracks a smirk at that before he pops an eyebrow up in question. I give him a weak smile before setting the material to the side and following him out the door. He walks us down the hallway a bit, no doubt just to get us out of Ashlynn’s eavesdropping range before he turns to look at me.

“I want to take you out,” he states bluntly.

My eyes widen for a moment with surprise. I thought if anything, he might be kicking me out. Saying things aren’t working or something. Taking me on a date was definitely not what I would have guessed.

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