Page 61 of Beneath the Surface

“Don’t be stupid,” he hits back. “Actions have consequences. What’s going to happen if he wins, Mason? This isn’t going away.”

My heart trips and stutters against my sternum. “I know.”

“Thenbe smart.Finish this job and get the hell out of the country. Come to the beach and stay with me.”

I roll my eyes, my stomach twisting. “Who’d keep the business going?”

“You let me worry about that.”

Cringing, I sit back, pulling up the pictures of Lily I took the first time I saw her, across the street of her apartment, hidden behind sharp bushes that bit into my skin.

Nausea churns in my gut.Fuck.

“Do you hear me, Mason? This is serious.”

“Yeah...” I run my hand through my hair. “I hear you. I’ll take care of it.”

“Make sure you do.”

He hangs up, and I put my head in my hands, his words stabbing my skin and sinking into my bones, causing an ache I know will never leave. Pushing back from the desk, I curse, standing up and grabbing the still unopened pack of cigarettes and heading out the front door.

The flick of a lighter, the singe of paper, and a deep inhale is all it takes for my body to unclench, nicotine flowing through my veins and wrapping me in its embrace, dulling the whisper of regret and the prodding of heartache that’s nicking my insides.

Pulling out my phone, I Google Senator Wells, my blood icing over in my veins.

Senator Wells campaign stays strong as he makes his way to Phoenix.

He’s coming to Arizona.

29

Lily

“I’m kidnapping you this weekend.”

My eyes widen and I giggle, looking over at Annabelle and shaking my head. “You can try, but you won’t succeed.”

“Come on, girl,” she whines. “Dish to me! I just started hanging out with you, and thenmydick of the week jumped ship and got lost inyourvagina, so the least you can do is go out with me.”

My stomach clenches when she so casually mentions the fact that she’s fucked Alex.MyAlex.

I’d be lying if I said it didn’t bother me. It does, but I remind myself that we all have our pasts, and while I can’t fault him for his, it’s hard not to wonder if everyone else experiences him the same way as me.

If everyone gets to know what it feels like to be consumed by him.

Annabelle sips on her Styrofoam cup, placing it above the drink station. “Oh, no, uh-uh, don’t give me that look. I already told you, it’sfine. You don’t need to deny it. Besides, even if you did, I wouldn’t believe you. Every time that man walks in here, he looks more pussy whipped than the day before.”

A laugh bursts out of me, and I spin, peeking around the corner to where Alex sits in his signature corner booth, reading his worn copy ofThe Art of War, so reminiscent to the first time we met.

Who would have thought that it would only take a couple months until I’d find myself willingly falling into some fucked-up reality where my head is filled with visions of possibility.

I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my past, left behind my family in pursuit of numbing pain I can’t outrun, but with Alex, maybe I can start fresh. It won’t replace the history of scars. It won’t heal my broken soul, but maybe it can be a balm, and I can find some peace in the happiness he provides.

Derek is right, I can’t keep punishing myself forever.

“I don’t know, I think I have plans.” My eyes drift toward Alex again.

She rolls her eyes but a smile lights up her face. “Fine. But I’m taking a rain check. You owe me.”

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