Page 45 of The Councilor

“It’s a bit heavy. And awkward.”

“Don’t worry. Your baby will be safe with me. Go get some other things together.”

It was strange to be in the apartment where my besties and I had enjoyed scouring Goodwill and cheap stores to find creative pieces to turn the little place into a home. It felt as if I’d never see it again, or my friends for that matter.

I refused to take anything that belonged to the three of us. Except for a special mug they’d given me together, the gift something I’d cherished for almost two years. I found it in its place in the cabinet. I didn’t use it often because I was worried about breaking it. At least it was a good memory that I could take with me.

Yet as I walked into my tiny room, the first thing I noticed was the stuffed bear I’d had since I was a kid. I’d washed it dozens of times, but the fluffy beast was still rough around the edges. The ruthless man could make fun of me all he wanted, but I would never go anywhere without Mr. Bear.

I didn’t care how old I was or if I got married. When. Shit. My little bear had seen me through all the arguments I’d heard between my parents, the tears I’d shed from being kept in a gilded cage. The loneliness from being allowed only afew friends. He’d developed a personality over the years, his company better than most humans.

I moved further inside, instantly heading for my closet. It was little more than a shoebox but large enough for what few clothes I had to hang on hangers. Since I wasn’t a frilly girl, I had three dresses, one I wasn’t certain fit any longer, three blouses, and the cheap suits I’d purchased at a secondhand retailer.

At least my dresser drawers had a few more items including jeans, sweaters, and underwear. They were crammed full, difficult to close. Nothing was sexy and nothing was anything Aleksander would like. But I didn’t care.

With only two suitcases, I’d need to choose carefully. Plus, I had additional makeup and other toiletries. After tossing the cases onto the bed, I moved to the other side, grabbing Mr. Bear and sitting down. The window was old and fogged up, but it had given me a view of the world, hopes for the future. How many dreams had I planned over the years?

I hugged him tightly, whispering that everything would be okay when I wasn’t certain how it could be. There were about a million reasons I shouldn’t be angry with myself for the single tear that slipped past my lashes but I’d told myself I could be strong. Very strong. This just wasn’t going to do.

“I need to suck it up. Right, Mr. Bear?”

“If you’re talking to Mr. Bear, something terrible must be wrong.”

Hearing Jackie’s teasing voice allowed a smile. I quickly wiped the tear away before standing. “It’s complicated.”

She walked further into the room, noticing my closet door was open and the suitcases were on the bed. “There are three handsome guys standing in the hallway and in the living room. Granted, they remind me of hired guns since they’re all packing, but that’s not abnormal in your life. Right? They almost didn’t let me in. What the hell is going on? You disappeared without a trace. I tried calling but it went directly to voicemail. One of the guys is dismantling your sculpting studio.”

I placed Mr. Bear onto the bed and went to the dresser, already starting to pull out a few things. “Things have changed in my life.”

“You’re moving out?” She seemed incredulous.

“I don’t want to, trust me. Dear Daddy made a deal to keep a war from starting.”

She walked even closer. “You’re scaring me. What does that mean?”

A part of me was terrified of telling her the truth. She was a tenacious girl, her mother famous enough from being on Broadway the family had connections to some pretty influential people in town. Trying to tell her she was in horrific danger and needed to stay away just wouldn’t do. “I never lied about who my father is. Never. I just didn’t understand the dark depths he’d go to so his business wouldn’t be destroyed.”

“Yeah, I know. A merciless bastard if you ask me.”

I threw her a look, still smiling. I filled one suitcase within minutes. I’d need to make some choices about what to take. “Yes, more than you know. You’ve also read the papers, seen news reports. There are other crime syndicates in New York and allthis infighting. One wants to snag the other’s territory and will stop at nothing.”

“Yeah. What are you getting at?”

I moved to the closet, trying to decide what to take that I would need. “Well, I don’t know details of what happened yet but evidently, there was a war about to develop on the streets. Like the old days where a lot of innocent people got hurt. Anyway, Daddy made a deal with the Bratva to keep that from happening.”

The fact she remained quiet didn’t mean she didn’t have a concerned look on her face.

“So, I’m getting married. Ta-da.” I found the courage to look at her, noticing she was working hard at not saying anything in a retort. But the fearful look in her eyes I’d seen dozens of times in mine.

Jackie finally pressed her hand across her mouth, moving toward the bed and immediately grabbing Mr. Bear to squeeze as she sat down.

The silence was so awkward, adding to the despair I felt.

I had to finish getting my shit ready. I wouldn’t be given another chance.

“Is the man at least good looking, not some old fart?” she asked in a far too demure voice for the gregarious girl.

At least we could both laugh. “Well,” I said as I turned around, leaning against the edge of the dresser. “The hottie in the living room? The one who looks like he should be on the cover toGQ Magazine?” I left the question open-ended.

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