Page 69 of Cruel Possession
When we first became friends, I don’t think I ever imagined that this was going to be where our friendship ended, but it has to be.
I have to start living for me. For something more than an organization built by men who didn’t care about those beneath them.
The change is never going to come about with the Rinaldos, but Aiden is building something better. He cares for the people who follow him, and he sees to their safety and their livelihoods. They’re not expendable.
Morgana steps away and nods once. Her jaw tightens, and there’s a hard look in her eyes as she turns and walks back to her car. The door slams and the engine revs, and just like that, she’s gone.
As I walk backinto Aiden’s house later, I’m already dreading what’s waiting for me. He’s going to be pissed. I took off, and his security team was left chasing me to catch up.
Gia finds me first, though, popping her head out of the living room, Dominic in her arms, his little face scrunched up and his fists flailing as he wails. “You were let out of the house?”
“Yeah.” I put the motorcycle helmet on the entryway table. “Had some things I needed to take care of, and Aiden felt like being nice, I guess. I don’t know. Not going to question it, either.”
“Zoe, you’re doing that thing again.”
“What thing?”
Gia holds out Dominic, settling him into my arms. “That thing where you feel guilty and think you need to explain yourself to someone because you care about them. I’m not asking you about the things you were doing, though. I just want to know that you’re okay.”
I look down at Dominic, blowing out a slow breath. “If I’m being honest with you, I don’t know if I am.”
“You know, I felt the same way when I was leaving with Royce. I thought I might be making a big mistake. Turning my back on everything I had ever known was easy in a way, but it also felt like I was tearing myself to pieces.”
“I don’t think you know quite what this feels like.” I toe off my boots before following her into the living room.
Dominic shifts in my arms, his face and fists relaxing as he falls asleep. Bianca plays with her doll while an animated movie with some guy named Bruno runs in the background.
Gia sits down and pats the cushion beside her, waiting for me to get comfortable. “I think you should talk about it. Might help.”
I give her a flat look, pulling one foot up onto the edge of the couch and cradling my nephew a little closer. “When have I ever talked about it?”
“You don’t have to hold it all in all the time. Why don’t we start with what you were doing?”
“I cut my ties with the family.” I run my tongue over my teeth before tipping my head back against the couch cushions.
Gia pauses before she starts laughing. “Look, I get if you don’t want to tell me what’s happening in your life, but you don’t have to joke about it, either.”
My leg bounces up and down as I lift Dominic to my chest, letting his head rest as he sleeps. “I’m not joking.”
Her eyes widen, and I swear if it was possible, her jaw would hit the floor. “Zoe, I need you to tell me the truth right now.”
“I am.” My hand drifts up and down Dominic’s back. “I met with Morgana and told her that I was done. Word is going to get back to the others and then before we know it, someone is likely going to be coming to that door to put a bullet in my head before Aiden ever gets the chance.”
“You still think Aiden is going to kill you?”
“That’s the part you’re concerned with?” I glance at the movie, unsure what to think about the latest song.
She makes a noise in the back of her throat. “I don’t know. Is there another part I should be concerned with?”
“Maybe the fact that the people we used to call family are going to kill me?”
Gia snorts and leans back into the cushions, taking Dominic from me as he starts to fuss. “To be fair, you’ve done a lot to earn your grave over the years.”
“Thanks for making me feel loved.”
“It’s the truth.” She shrugs, a mischievous smile curving her lips. “Would you rather I lie to you?”
“No. I’m tired of people lying to me.” I pull both knees to my chest, wrapping my arms around my legs. “I’m going to die. It’seither going to be at Aiden’s hand, or it’s going to be at someone else’s, and I can’t blame any of them. Not when I’ve earned it, like you said.”
