Page 31 of Phantom Mine

Emotion constricts my chest like a band as I thread my fingers through my hair. Tears crawl up the back of my throat, determined to make an appearance.

Crying in front of any of these people, even the ones who help me, is the last thing I want to do. I’m afraid that if I start, I won’t stop until there’s nothing left of me. I’ll start crying about the scissors and I’ll keep crying about things a lot more tragic and a lot more painful than a mean girl attempting to cut off my hair, breaking a long held promise in the process.

“I don’t need you to defend me,” I hiss defensively.

Enzo’s tone is even when he answers. “Okay.”

“Or save me.”

“Okay.”

“I can take care of myself.”

“Okay.”

“Stop saying okay.”

There’s a hint of a smile in his response. “Okay.”

For some reason, that’s what makes a tear crest past my waterline and slip down my cheek.

Enzo hands me a Kleenex. Our eyes cross, an understanding of some sort passing between us. This is the most words we’ve exchanged since we met.

I sniffle. “You really didn’t need to help me.”

He sighs. “Yes, I did.”

I stiffen, looking over at him. “Why?”

“Matteo is under my protection and you’re under his. Whether I like it, and whether you want it or not, that means you’re under mine as well.”

Try as I might, I can’t find anything to say to that. I sniffle but he’s kind enough not to comment on it.

“Don’t tell anyone you saw me like this.”

“Saw you like what?”

I snort, the sound deeply unattractive, and lift my head, swiping away at a falling tear. It’s my second secret with the people I swore to hate. Finding out there may be some good apples amongst the rotten bunch is confusing.

He watches me quietly while I dry my eyes and blow my nose. “This won’t happen again.”

“You’ll make sure of it?” I say with a caustic laugh.

“No.” Enzo stands, his jaw set. “The boss will.”

???

The following day, Arabella misses her set. Guido comes by after we wrap for the night and announces that she won’t be returning.

When Enzo comes by the next day, I ask him about it.

“I told you Matteo would take care of it,” he replies.

It’s so eerily reminiscent of what happened to Adriana that I immediately can’t breathe.

“Did he… Did he hurt her?”

Enzo frowns, looking at me with a puzzled expression. “No, he’s not in the business of hurting women. He fired her. Likely threatened her a bit too.”

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