Page 144 of Inked Adonis

Her face screws up. “What are you— Nova, what the fuck is going on? I haven’t heard from you in days, and when I do, it’s some cryptic, breathy phone call about needing to pick you up. I could tell things were bad, so I didn’t ask questions. But I have to ask some now. Namely:what the fuck?”

She’s right. I owe her so much more than this.

“Once we’re in the car,” I promise.

She sighs and climbs into the driver’s seat, pulling her door shut. Then she faces me. “We’re in the car. Talk.”

I fumble for the lock button and nudge her arm towards the ignition. “Start the car. Please.”

She eyes my bandages. Dried blood cakes the edges. “Are these all from the attack Mrs. Shea called me about? She said something happened with Berry. I tried to call you, but?—”

“Is Berry okay? Did she get hurt?”

“Forget about the damn dog!” Hope cries out. “I care aboutyou. I was fucking scared, Nova. You disappeared. I went to the hospital looking for you and no one would tell me anything. Your apartment was empty. You weren’t at the penthouse. Where have you been?”

“I was at my father’s house.”

Hope’s breath catches. “They called Tom? Shit.”

“I think it’s more likely that Tom called them,” I admit. “I’m pretty sure he’s been watching me for a while.”

Her hands go still on the wheel. “Why would he be watching you?”

“Because of who I’m involved with.” I swallow. “Because of Sam.”

“Please tell me you are not involved in the middle of whatever shady shit is going on between your mafia-connected boyfriend and your corrupt cop father, Nova. Please promise me at least that much.”

I can only shake my head. “I won’t say anything. The less you know the better.”

“God fucking dammit!” She slaps her palms against the steering wheel. “This is bad, Nova! This is really fucking bad.”

“I know! I know.” My chin wobbles. “I’m so sorry I dragged you into this, Hope. I just… I didn’t know who else to call. I had no one else. There’s no one?—”

“Shut up.” Hope grabs my good hand, squeezing it tightly. “I’m your best friend. It’s moments like this that I shine, okay? You can always call me.”

I drop my face into my hand and whimper as the stress of the last two days crushes me like a ton of bricks.

And it’s nowhere close to being over.

But the tears eventually ease. I wipe my eyes on my forearm. “I need somewhere I can hide out. Lay low for a few days. Or weeks.”

Maybe a few forevers, actually. I don’t see how I survive otherwise.

“Luckily, you have me.” Hope reaches into the backseat and returns with a duffel bag. “You gave me nothing to work with, and I still knew things were going sideways. So I packed you a go bag. Toiletries, underwear, changes of clothes, a brush. Also, that moisturizer I told you about that makes my under-eyes look?—”

I hurl myself at her across the console, hugging her neck. “Thank you.”

“Deodorant,” she chokes out. “That’s in there, too.”

I peel away with a wince. “Sorry.”

She waves me off. “No worries. Also—do you remember that cabin my parents bought? The one that was supposed to be my college tuition, but then I became a personal assistant and crushed their hopes and dreams? Well, I’m taking you there.”

I’m already shaking my head. “You can’t. Take me to a motel or?—”

“Even with the cash I stashed in that bag, you don’t have the money for a motel—and, thanks to Katerina, I won’t for much longer, either. This place is free and only forty minutes away from here. It’s where you’re going.”

I want to argue, but she makes good points. I’m low on money and options. Plus, she’s finally started the car and is driving, and I don’t want to say anything that might make her pull over. I want to keep moving.

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