Page 91 of Toxic

"Sean!" I reach for him as he trots down the steps.

He spins, his eyes blazing green flames, yelling, "Don't touch me! I want nothing to do with you! Do you understand that? Nothing!"

"Sean! Don't talk to your mother like that," Dante's voice booms.

Sean turns toward the driveway.

I glance past him, surprised to see Dante still here.

Sean takes the steps two at a time and points in Dante's face. "I told you she wasn't going to change her mind."

"This isn't the way to deal with it," Dante states.

Sean starts to walk toward the end of the driveway, calling over his shoulder, "I'm over dealing with it."

Dante motions for me to stay and follows him. "Sean, where are you going?"

"Away from here."

"Sean!" he calls out then reaches for the back of his arm.

"Don't touch me!" Sean screams, his eyes glistening and his breath coming out in a cloud.

Dante holds his hands in the air. "All right. Get in my car."

Sean stares at him, saying nothing.

Dante firmly repeats, "Sean, get in my car. Stay at my place."

He hesitates.

Dante softens his voice. "You want to go to Chicago? I'll fly you on my plane tomorrow. But right now, you need to get in my car."

My insides somersault at the consequences of Sean going to Chicago, but I'm not sure what to do right now. He's as stubborn as any O'Malley. I don't put it past Sean to run away tonight.

Dante motions to his Porsche. "Get behind the wheel."

"I don't have a license," Sean states.

Dante shrugs. "So what. Get in the car, Sean."

I put my hand over my mouth as more tears fall. I feel paralyzed.

Several moments pass before Sean tears his eyes off Dante's and gets behind the wheel.

Dante takes a deep breath, watching Sean. When the door slams shut, he steps in front of me.

"He can't go to Chicago. Do not let him go," I demand through tears.

Dante scans my eyes, nodding. "Okay. I'll call you later."

"H-he has the paperwork to emancipate himself ready to be filed," I admit.

Dante tugs me into his body and holds my head to his chest, murmuring, "I need you to hold it together, Bridge. Call Killian and tell him what's going on. He seems the closest to Sean. Maybe he can talk some sense into him."

I sniffle, but my entire body is shaking.

Dante kisses me on the head. "Go inside, dolcezza. I'll call you as soon as I can."

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