Page 55 of Saviour

“Dax,” I start, shakily standing up. “I need a minute.”

I go to walk past him, but he grabs my wrist, not harshly, but enough to stop me.

“Rori, please don’t ru—”

“I need a goddamn minute!” I shout back, my voice gruff, and the stab wound through my chest is more painful than ever when I see his face fall.

But he doesn’t let it go. He pulls my arm closer to him. So with all the strength I have, I position myself in front of him, place my hand under his armpit, and throw him over my shoulder and down to the floor, remembering the first move he taught me all those months ago.

Caught off guard, Dax falls effortlessly and once he’s on the ground, I stand up over him and turn my back, walking away. And when I get to the door, I hear him beg quietly. Begging for me to stay, not to run.

But I’m not running this time.

I’m fixing it.

* * *

I runthrough the house and stop at the large double doors, lifting my fist to knock, but before I can, Carlo’s voice booms out.

“Come in, Aurora.”

I lower my hand to the huge brass handles and with a quick catch of my breath, push it open and step inside. I let the door fall closed behind me as I step further inside. I’ve never really set foot in Carlo’s study, so I scan my eyes around the huge bookshelves that decorate the walls. I assume they’re for decoration because I can’t picture Carlo sitting and reading a book at all.

As I get closer, my eyes land on Carlo, sitting behind a huge mahogany desk, his suit a little crinkled and in need of an iron, only just done up over his belly. I look in his eyes and the evil that reflects through them is as clear as day. Anybody could see for miles that Carlo Rhivers has never been and will never be a good man.

“I like what you’ve done with your hair.” He smirks, gesturing the glass of scotch in his hand up to my head. Scotch in the morning?

I quickly flatten my hair as best as I can, cursing myself that I threw my hair ties in the gym so they’re not around my wrist. I feel so vulnerable with my hair down, but men like Carlo probably didn’t even realise I always wore them in plaits. Only Dax is attentive like that.

“What can I do for you, Miss Shaw?” Carlo says again, his impatience wearing thin.

I cast my eyes down but then decide against it. If I show cowardice, I’ll never get anywhere.

“I can’t do it anymore. Iwon’tdo it anymore,” I say confidently.

“Do what?” he says, raising an eyebrow at me, intimidating me with his stare.

“Distract Dax. I can’t do it anymore.”

“What’s he said? What does he know, Aurora?”

I gulp quietly and race through the thoughts in my head. I could tell him that he knows where he is. I could even tell him that he’s reached out. But what’s the good in that? If Carlo knows that Dax knows, who knows what Carlo would do. To him or to King. So I lie because lying to Carlo is a whole lot easier on my conscience than lying to Dax.

“Nothing. He hasn’t said anything, but I just can’t betray him anymore. I lov—”

A booming laugh falls from his lips, silencing me.

“Don’t make me laugh, girl. You know what’s at stake here, Miss Shaw? You remember the consequences?”

I nod slowly and the panic in my stomach starts to burn.

“I have no problem giving you back to your foster father, Miss Shaw. Is that what you want?”

I stare at him and take a few seconds to gather my thoughts before finally shaking my head slowly.

“Then I suggest you leave my office and do as you’ve been told.”

I spin on my heels, refusing to turn around when I hear his laugh again, and I close my eyes, determination flying through my veins. I will tell Dax everything and hope he still wants me, and if he doesn’t, then I’ll do what I do best.

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