Page 51 of Finally Forever
“Damn.” Nathan sighs. “I’m sorry, man. That can’t be easy.”
“It’s frustrating not remembering, but in a way, it’s a relief. I don’t know if this gir—Ainsley—belongs in my life. No. I do know. She does not belong in my world. She’s an innocent bystander who got sucked into all this.”
“She didn’t get sucked into this,” Nathan says, his tone resolute. “She chose it. She might not have known what she was getting into at first when she chose to work for you at the autobody shop.”
“What?” More of that shock fills his voice.
“Yeah.”
“There’s no way I would have hired her.”
“That’s what Riley and I thought, too. But you did. You had your reasons. I think they had to do with her looks and personality. She’s quirky and funny but in a sexy kind of way. You were into her. It was a change for you, something you needed.”
“Huh.” Sebastian gets quiet for a while, contemplating that information, I guess.
“Have you two talked about your past together?” Nathan asks. “Has she told you the story of how you met and what you’ve been doing for the last year?”
“From what I know, we traveled a lot,” Sebastian says, his tone bored.
“And?”
“She’s mentioned some things, but I haven’t asked her to elaborate.”
“Why not?”
“My focus has shifted to more important things. My grandfather died recently, which means my father is the new Don. I’m in more danger now than I ever was. She is too, as long as she’s connected to me. Now would be a good time for her to get out. She deserves better, right?”
I cover my mouth to keep from barfing or crying, I don’t know which. Is he planning to get rid of me?
“Does she want out?”
“I haven’t asked.”
“Geez.” Nathan blows out a heated breath. “This is more fucked up than I imagined. Ainsley’s a good person. She’s good for you. You gave up everything for her so the two of you could have a life together. You took a stand for once and fought for your freedom. I never thought you’d do it. She gave you courage. She’s good for you. You were happy, really happy. And I was happy for you.”
Sebastian lets out a heavy sigh. “It’s a lot to take in. If I’m honest, the thought of being that close to someone makes me uncomfortable. I never open myself up to a woman. According to her, Xavier, and now you, I did. Hell, I asked her to marry me.”
“No shit? That’s awesome, man!”
“It’s a problem because what I have planned doesn’t involve her. It can’t.”
“What exactly is it that you have planned?” Nathan’s tone is wary. “I have an idea based on some things you used to say back in college, but I hope I’m fucking wrong.”
“Want a beer?” Sebastian asks and footsteps shuffle across the room.
I press my back against the wall as he walks close to where I’m hiding before he turns into the kitchen. If he walks to the pantry, he’ll be able to see me, but he’s getting beers from the refrigerator, so I should be okay. If I were to leave my hiding place, he could spot me or hear me moving down the hallway. Staying put is best.
Three people, two middle-aged women and an older man, enter the kitchen near the pantry.
I hold my breath. They can easily see me if they glance my way.
The man carries a bucket and mop, and the women hold caddies stuffed with cleaning supplies. They smile in the direction of the refrigerator.
“Hello, Sir. We’re here to clean,” one of the women says with an unfamiliar accent, similar to Russian but different.
“Don’t mind us. We’ll stay out of your way,” the other woman says with the same accent.
Their smiles fade with Sebastian’s silence. My guess is he’s giving them one of those stares—the one that says I-don’t-trust-you-and-if-you-cross-me-you’ll-pay.
