I’m answered with another gurgling laugh, then…nothing.
I simply watch as my father’s chest rises and falls with his very last breath.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Isabelle
Dragging my tired body into my apartment in New York, I freeze when discovering Melanie sitting on the steps, her usually perky demeanor heavy with empathy. I had given her a heads up that something had happened and I was coming home, but I didn’t expect to find her waiting for me in the middle of the night. Without a word, she rises to her feet and opens her arms. I fall into her embrace and finally let the events of the day crash down around me with crippling despair. Big fat tears soak into her t-shirt as anguish shakes my entire body.
When I ran into Roman’s father after all this time, his sick smile and gravelly voice triggered some serious flashbacks that I wasn’t ready to deal with. It’s like I was suddenly transported back to the brothel in Vegas, experiencing the horrific moment all over again.
Seeing him walk into the room.
His hands all over me.
His cold, calloused laugh.
The flash of a knife.
The threats that forced me to walk away from Roman.
After his father asked if I remembered our agreement, I sprinted back to the bus and vomited for what felt like a lifetime until my stomach cramped in pain. My head wasn’t on straight as I blindly threw everything into my suitcase. In the back of my mind I always knew what happened between me and Roman’s father in Vegas was the one thing that could break us apart for good, but I foolishly hoped that we’d somehow have more time before the truth came to light.
“You’re scaring me,” Melanie says, stroking my hair with one hand and clutching me tighter with the other. “What happened?”
Being reunited with the one person who’s never hurt me, my tears come harder and faster, making it impossible to form a response. I clutch her with all my might when I realize there’s only one way this can end, because Roman would never believe the truth.
I have to let the only man I’ve ever loved go—this time for good.
Vinnie’s is basically empty the next afternoon as I slink in through the back door, looking to get black-out drunk. I had turned my phone off shortly before I passed out on the couch at Mel’s side, and woke early morning to find dozens of missed texts and calls from Roman. It was impossible to miss his building desperation with each message.
Why did you leave? Whatever it is, we can work it out together.
Please answer baby! I love you too fucking much to let you walk out of my life!
I need to see you! It’s an emergency!
The last text squeezed my already broken heart until I was sure it’d be the death of me.
I need you. Please don’t do this again. You promised.
I paced my room for the longest time while trying to convince myself it’s best not to respond. In the end I decided there was only one way to silence the memories that hadn’t faded since the night before. While Mel was in the shower, I sent her a text saying I needed a visit to the bar to clear my head. She replied less than a minute later to let me know she was headed to her new boyfriend’s place to help him with something, and she’d be back in a few hours unless I needed her sooner.
Of course it would be my dumb luck that Chaz would be one of three customers bellied up to the bar. “What the shit?” he asks, his gaze smothering as I head into the service area to pour myself a finger of top-shelf tequila. “Were you planning to tell me you’re back?”
“Uh, hello?” Cary steps in beside me, hand set on her hip. “Oh hey, Cary! I’m back!” she mocks in a high-pitched tone. “Did you miss me while my bitch-ass was off becoming a superstar with the hot rockstar you pointed out to me a few weeks ago?”
“Hate to burst your bubble, but Roman and I go way back to middle school,” I bite out before tipping back my drink in three large gulps. With the satisfying burn trickling down my throat and coating my stomach, I suck on a lemon wedge for a second before tossing it in the garbage.
Cary snorts as she shuffles past to help a customer.
Still staring me down in a way that sends chills up my back, Chaz lets out a dark laugh. “Didn’t expect to see you back so soon, especially after word got out about your killer performance in Chicago. Thought for sure you’d forget about me and Stew once you had a taste of fame.”
“You knew I was taking time off to explore other options. Besides, you’ve made it clear you don’t want a record deal when you know damn well that’s always been my dream.”
His eyes narrow. “What did that self-righteous asshole do to make you come back here?”