Page 35 of Release You

“You keep saying that. But you’re holding something back. What is it?”

What is it?What was stopping me from looking deep inside and sifting through the feelings I had for Henry? Why was I so afraid to look? Was he right? I’d been avoiding him, keeping him at a distance because I hadn’t forgiven him for leaving me, for letting this town treat me the way they did.None of it was his fault. I knew that. But it still hurt. I was still angry. No matter who or what I had become, this town would always remind me what a bad seed I was, just as Mrs. Blaine had said.

“You deserve better than a Morrow girl, Henry.” The words pained me, but they rang true.

He shook his head.

“You know I’m right. Even Nikki Swift isn’t for you. I’m a thief, a crook.” I pointed at myself.

“You think I give a shit about that? I want you. It’s always been you.” His voice sounded strained as he squeezed my fingers.

“We have work to do.” I swallowed the lump in my throat and pulled my hand back before I rose to my feet. “Let’s go find your mom. And forget about all this.”

“Forget about us?” he asked.

“Yes, Henry. When the job is done, I’m gone. That’s how I work.” I stormed out.

CHAPTER 12

The Woman in the Picture

Henry

Goddammit, Nikki. Don’t do this.I fished three twenties from my wallet, threw them on the table, and went after her.

Right outside the door, Russ caught up to me. “What’s this I hear about a day off?”

I strode up the street, my gaze focused on Nikki’s back as she practically ran toward the hotel. “The guys need a break, Russ. Let them be.”

“Okay. You’re the boss, but let me know if I can help,” he called out.

I waved at him. My heart pounded hard, but I didn’t slow down. I couldn’t lose her again. I walked into the hotel, flipped the deadbolt, and drew the curtains to keep pedestrians from looking in. My heartbeat settled down when I pushed the sheets dividing the lobby to the side and spotted Nikki at the bar. Good. At least she wasn’t upstairs packing.

“You’re giving up on us? Just like that?” I asked.

“There’s no us, Henry. There never was.” She faced me, her cheeks stained with tears.

“You can’t listen to them. They can’t hurt you anymore. I won’t let them.” I stepped toward her. She stood and shoved the barstool between us.

I put my hands up in surrender. She’d given up so easily. Why? “Fine. This is how you want to play it? Be my guest. But remember this—just like last time, Ishowed up.” Heat rushed through my body. “You’re the one running away this time.” I headed for the stairs.

“I’m not running away. I’m still here. I said I’d help you. That hasn’t changed.” Her heels scraped the marble floor.

I gripped the banister and turned. Adrenaline hummed through me. “You’re running away from us. Would you be this quick to give up if I still had millions in my bank account? If we were having this conversation at the Cavalier Manor instead? That it?”

“You finally figured it out, Henry.” She strode toward me, wiping her cheek with the back of her hand. “What good is the Prince of Paradise without his money?”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Oh, you poor little rich boy,” she said.

That was what Francesca had said to me the day my uncle’s bodyguards brought me in after I tried to run away with Nikki. The day she’d told me they were sending me to a boarding school in Canada. The day I lost everything.

“What happened to you?” I grabbed her shoulders.

“This town happened to me.” She held my gaze. The anger I saw in her blue eyes cut me. Was the Hipolita I knew really gone?

“Leave. Stay. I don’t give a shit. Just stay out of my way. I don’t need your goddamn help.” I headed for the door. I couldn’t stand being in this place, this close to her.

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