Page 70 of From My Past
“He told me that I wasn’t safe with you or in that building. That the phone proved it. He told me I am a whore and I am going to pay for what I’ve done to him. He told me you’ll get tired of me and leave me. Then I’ll have no one to hide behind. His words, not mine. He called me ‘darling’ like he used to before he would beat me. But he said more than once about how I wasn’t safe with you or with the Irish and I’d be back with him and the Italians quickly.” She rattled off, not looking at me, but watching the cars and buildings fly by.
The leather of the steering wheel creaked with the strain of my grip. How dare he say those things to her. How dare he put those thoughts into her head that I’d leave her, ever. How fucking dare he say I can’t protect her.
“You know he’s just being a dickhead, right? He’s trying to get into your head and make you think those things. I’d never leave you, baby.”
Talia nods offhandedly, still not looking at me.
I run my hand over my face and grip the steering wheel harder. I would have to deal with this, with frightening her or hurting her feelings but I can’t right now.
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I dial my dad’s number and wait for him to answer.
“Are you guys there yet?” Kellan’s voice asks through the phone.
“No, about ninety more minutes. Are you going to your safehouse?”
“ETA five minutes.”
“Good, good. I have new information from Talia about what happened.”
“Is she alright?” My dad asked and the fact that he asked about her before asking what the information was made me smirk.
“She’s rattled, but the bulletproof glass on our floor saved her life. I checked the car for explosives, but there wasn’t any. Garzino, or a man from their camp, somehow snuck into her apartment, hid a fucking cell phone and then called right before the explosion to keep her distracted.”
“Fuck.” Kellan snarls. “What did he say?”
“Nothing that needs repeating at this moment.” I say into the phone, chancing a look over at Talia. She’s finally looking at me, a look of gratitude in her eyes. “I’ll send any pertinent information your way.”
“Understood. Keep safe.” Kellan said and hung up. Putting the phone in the middle seat, I saw the exit for my beach house and took it.
* * *
“It’s beautiful!” Talia cried as she climbed out of the car. Watching her light up as she saw the beach, the water gently hitting the sand and the wind going through the trees was just what I wanted to bring to her. I wanted to give her relaxation and time to be herself. Once she saw the small one-story house right on the beach and looked back at me with a look of excitement on her face.
“Let me show you your new place for a while.” I held my hand out with a smile on my face and she ran over to take it.
Thankfully, I’d been able to shoot a quick text off to Cara and she was able to stock everything for us.
“Oh my god, Kieron, it’s beautiful.” She repeats as she is looking around my house. I never wanted a huge, obnoxious house that would be too much space for just me. With the craziness and danger of my life, I wanted a piece of paradise, an oasis, that I could all my own.
The wooden exterior was painted a pale blue and weathered from years of salt spray hitting the paint. The exterior trim was a natural brown and the awning was just deep enough that I was able to put two white rocking chairs side-by-side to watch the sunset. With the sand that came right up to the front door, it was the perfect little home. And I didn’t spend nearly enough time here due to the demands that come from being the Second.
Inside, I made sure to decorate, but honestly, I didn’t care much for decorating. Who did? I made sure I had a few comfortable places to sit; an overstuffed couch and loveseat, a big ass TV and the bookshelves were lined with my favorites. Whenever I actually got to be here, I just wanted to relax and get out on the water.
I watched Talia take in everything. Her long violet hair falling out of the haphazard ponytail she’d thrown her hair in earlier. She looked absolutely beautiful. Natural. Like she belonged here, with me.My girl.
“There are no pictures anywhere, Kieron.” She noted, dropping the go-bag in the middle of the living room.
“Who would I put pictures up of right now?”
“Your family, you traveling, you surfing, things you like…” She lists off. “I love having pictures up.” Talia says wistfully, her eyes trailing along almost sadly.
“What’s wrong, baby?” I can’t take the look of sadness in her eyes. Wrapping my arms around her and tucking her under my arm, I wait for her to tell me what’s going on.
“I had all these pictures at my, or Luca’s, apartment. They were of my family, of my childhood and my life when I actually knew what my life was.”
“We should’ve grabbed them before we left. We could’ve.”
“They’re just pictures.” She said sadly. “Nothing compared to staying alive and keeping everyone I love alive.”
