Page 98 of Tell Me Why
It’s true. When Eve is with me, she’s in danger. Not just from Lucas, but from a host of other people in the Burning Crown who don’t trust her. Lucas is just a symptom of a much bigger problem.
I tilt my head back against the headrest and swallow back the wave of grief that engulfs me, making it hard to breathe.
I have to do something that’s going to destroy me.
I have to walk away from theoneperson who brings color to my dark and dreary world. The only person who’s everreallyseen me and been brave enough not to look away.
The thought of never seeing her smile again, never hearing her laugh, never feeling the heat of her skin...it fucks me up inside. But keeping her close is selfish, and I’ve been selfish for too long already.
I have no choice but to let her go.
Even if it kills me.
CHAPTERFORTY-TWO
Eve
Christian jostlesme awake and helps me out of the car, slinging my huge duffle bag over his shoulder. We’re in a parking garage, surrounded by very expensive, high-end cars. I’m barely awake as I follow him to an elevator bank.
“You sure I can’t help you with that?” a bellhop says.
“I’ve got it, thanks,” Christian replies, ushering me into an elevator that slides open.
“Where are we?” I ask as we’re swept up and deposited on the twelfth floor. He doesn’t answer, but when we step out into the hallway, I have a sinking suspicion I know exactly where we are. I’ve never been here myself, but this place is legendary in Malibu. Only the uber-uber-rich can afford to stay here. “Is this Exeter House?”
“My dad keeps an apartment here,” he says. I follow him down the hall and into one of the two doors on this entire floor. “It’s about the only thing he’s good for.”
Stepping in, I’m immediately impressed. The apartment ishuge. Like, the size of three regular apartments, easily. And it’s decorated in warm, Danish-style furniture and modern art, but little else. Very masculine.
“What if your dad shows up?” I ask, looking around.
“My dad’s in France until the end of the month, and my mom doesn’t know about this place,” he says, disappearing down a hallway.
I rush to catch up. “Lucas will assume we’re coming here.”
“He doesn’t know about it either,” he says, dumping my bag next to a massive king-sized bed in the largest bedroom I’ve ever seen. One entire wall is made up of windows that overlook the Pacific Ocean.
Christian turns to me. “The only reason I know about this place is because one of my dad’s side-pieces mentioned it. I blackmailed him into letting me use it occasionally.”
“Seriously?” I push out a sharp breath. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but your family is toxicas fuck.”
“Can’t argue with you there.”
I walk over to the nearest window and watch as the water ebbs and flows under our feet—like we’re on stilts with the endless ocean stretched out in front of us, bright blue skies above. It’s calming.
“I’d have someone come and put your things away for you, but it’s probably better to keep your presence here on the down-low. At least until I figure this shit out.”
I wonder whatfigure this shit outmeans, but I don’t ask, because it doesn’t matter. I’m no longer a part of his world. So…not my circus, right?
“How long?” I ask.
“I don’t know.”
I nod once and clear my throat. “So, um, are you staying here, too?”
He pulls something out of his back pocket and tosses it on the bed. It’s my phone. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
There’s something oddly final about the way he says that, and it makes my stomach drop, like I’ve just entered zero gravity.
