I didn’t wanna speak ill of the dead, but this was the best I could co up with.
"I didn’t give it to her. I ca here to warn her, knowing you would co after I gave a hint about the mafia’s movies and blackmail. She’s probably out of the city now."
"Is that all?" Ares asked, eyeing with intensity until I was pressured, but the lie ca smoother than the truth.
"Yes, I’m sorry I got you worked up for nothing. I-I should get going, I promised Tori I’d see her when I got back." I turned, but Ares grabbed my wrist to stop .
I shift my gaze back to him before he tugs close.
"Next ti, be honest with ," he said. "No matter what."
"Alright," I replied, and freed my hand from his grip, walking out of the store.
I kept trying Tori’s number, but she still wasn’t picking up. I need to get to her as fast as I can.
~☆~
I knocked on Tori’s door, pounding my fist against it and not caring if the neighbors heard.
"Maybe she’s not around?" Nico asked beside .
"She is, and what are you doing here? You can wait by the car."
He leaned against the wall and folded his arms. "This is much better, milady."
The door suddenly opened, and Tori peeked. Nico so rudely ca to check, but I got in and slamd the door in his face.
Tori was shaking, eyes glued to the floor. I rested my hands on her shoulders to check for any wounds, but thank God there weren’t any.
"Tori..." I said softly. "I’m so so sorry, I—"
She broke down in a fit of tears, and I hugged her tightly. I shook in her hold, still reliving everything that happened. My stomach turned, and I peeled away from her, scurried toward the toilet and vomited, coughing and choking. It was an agonizing few minutes before my face was finally out, and I flushed.
I got weak sitting on the floor with my knees to my chest. Tori ca to and sat opposite .
A heavy silence passed between us, and never-ending guilt clawed at .
"I’m sorry..." I said faintly.
Tori shook her head slowly. "It’s not your fault."
"Yes, it is... ever since I signed that contract, my life has turned upside down. Literally. I didn’t sign up for this. All this mafia shit, enemies and nano whatever..." I took off my glasses and tossed them on the floor. "I almost lost you, Tori. I could have never forgiven myself for that."
Tears stread down her face, but she didn’t say a word. I won’t bla her if she doesn’t. This was overwhelming even for her, and I could only imagine the horrors she saw while in captivity.
"I was gonna go on leave. I actually planned it out because I needed the break..." she began. "And then it all happened so fast, and the next thing I knew was I was bound to a chair beside a dead body."
"Jenna."
"You knew her?"
I nodded. "The person I wanted to et that day at the cafe when I asked you to cover for . She was investigating the Kings, but we cut contact."
"Oh my god." Her hand slipped into her hair, and she closed her eyes.
"She was a warning of what would happen if I didn’t follow his orders, and I screwed that up too..."
"We have to tell Ares. I know they threatened us into silence, but we can work sothing out. Ares can do sothing."
"I-I can’t..."
"What?"
"I can’t, Tori, I can’t, and neither can you. You must tell no one about your kidnapping or everything that happened."
"Catherine..." she breathed. "I’d have said the cops because they seem like the best choice to bring this to and get witness protection, but I do this for your sake. Ares is mafia, and I have a feeling this circles around him sohow, and now we’re all caught up in his ss. One, he should clean up himself, we’re not gonna be collateral damage."
"We really can’t, T."
"Why?!"
"Because he will know when I so much as speak his na or tell anyone about him. I’m forced into silence."
Tori tried to speak, but she couldn’t.
I leveled my gaze as I cried and trembled from an unknown cold. Tori crawled, sitting beside , and wrapped her arms around .
~☆~
I stayed in Tori’s place, and it was silent most of the ti as the TV played a show in the background.
Tori finally got so sleep, and I knew she was more at ease knowing I was beside her. I just finished tucking her in when I heard my phone ding.
My pulse raced instantly, but it wasn’t that son of a bitch.
Honey: It’s getting late. Nico is waiting by the car.
: He can leave. I’m staying.
Ares was in the middle of typing a reply, but I swiped off the chat.
I walked to the couch and sat. I don’t even have the faintest desire to rest. How can I? I knew without a doubt that Noah was gonna contact again.
I reached for my purse and took out the flash drive. He never wanted this... he wanted ... to control, and he ntioned sothing about Ares’ downfall.
I clenched the drive tightly. I can’t tell anyone about him, and I can’t escape him. I was trapped. I had no idea how I could pretend or lie to Ares; it was already difficult as it was. I’m scared I was gonna slip and put Tori’s life in danger.
She made it out this ti, but I wasn’t sure there was gonna be a second ti. Noah knows about my family in Rosevale, too. I could never forgive myself if anything happened to them because of .
I buried my face in my hands, consud by terror and confusion.
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