Chapter 89

Sophie was someone I started to genuinely like, and then I realised that I did and backtracked epically to stop myself from ever being stupid enough to trust anyone. I pushed that girl down a well in a bid to stop my weak arse emotions from the possibility of a real friend.

It’s obvious the boyfriend is a Carrero, it’s written all over him. He’s fairer than most with sandy hair yet brown eyes and a softer jawline, but he’s related to Alexi alright. Stance, muscular form, quick smile and those straight eyebrows over eyes that can turn from charm to glare in a second. I can hear him talking and he has that same husky depth to his voice like Gino and Alexi do. An unmistakeable sexiness that not all men have, and I guess the Carrero genes are strong and the family resemblance is crazily uncanny. Easy to spot at a distance though, which helps me immensely when dodging people.

‘‘How’re things going with you two lovebirds?’’ Mico sounds almost normal when faced with family, and it’s probably the most I have ever heard him say to anyone in such a chirpy tone. He never really speaks. ‘’Great. Sophie is still at school in fashion, and she’s doing amazingly well, we moved in together into my apartment finally.’’ The deep voice of a guy who wouldn’t be too pleased to meet me face to face. Sophie will have told him how I got her kidnapped after trying to ruin her life so yeah, steer clear of that Carrero. If I remember right she said he was a fighter, or Tyler did and I wonder if this is the cousin that Alexi sometimes trains with. I can see the appeal although he looks incredibly young.

I’m not into boys and college prep boy smiles. I like men with a little maturity and age, but he’s a good match for Sophie. She has a young childish look about her and I can see how they gel. Barbie and Ken of the Hamptons.

‘‘Aww well done, always knew you would do well Sophs.’’ Mico sounds almost human.

‘’Thanks. How’s Mandy? Are you still seeing her?’’ Sophie’s sweet almost childlike voice is all sunshine and smiles, so unlike how she was when I knew her. She sounds happy and it makes my gut ache in envy. Peeking again, I can see her boy has his arm slung around her shoulder protectively and is holding her against him in a way that makes it clear this is the love of his life. He’s handsome, in a less appealing way than Alexi, and strong. Looks like he would protect her to the death if he had to.

I don’t know what that must feel like. No one has ever loved me, not even my mother who was biologically built to love me. She used to scream in my face almost daily about how I ruined her life and drove her to drink and drugs. Every time she pounded a fist into my face in rage for something that upset her, she told me how it was my fault that she got mad and lashed out, if only I would be good and stop angering her. I honestly do not know what love is supposed to feel like, and watching them now just makes me feel incredibly jealous and hostile because I know the reality is that I will never find out.

Turning away and biting on my lip to curb the surge of emotion that wracks my heart and chest, trying to shake free these stupid emotions that Devil Carrero inflicted upon me and then I realise how close to the door I am. It’s like being shaken to sense and suddenly I am very still and silent as my brain catches up with the program and I glance around to double check. Mico is talking, I can hear him, and he has his back to me, distracted with Sophie and her boyfriend.

It’s that little window I have been waiting for, an opportunity presenting itself, and I can’t believe my luck. It literally just fell on me by chance and all thanks to Sophie. The girl really is great at saving my bacon.

I rummage in my shoulder bag, pull out the cap without hesitation, knowing I need to take my chance before it’s gone. I quickly roll my hair up to stuff inside as I pull it on my head. You have to be fast, take whatever chances come your way and always ready to go at the drop of a hat. Glancing back to check that Mico is still occupied I can see he’s still not looking this way. I put my bag over my head to cross my body, so I won’t drop it and take a long deep steady breath to calm my nerves.

I’m ready, I can do this. I need to just swallow and go. I close my eyes, count to five and then step away and head straight for the door. Adrenaline boosting and chest pounding.

Don’t look back, don’t hesitate just open the door and leave. Just go. I walk as fast as I can, glad the door has no sound when I open it and slide out into the street blinded by the sun. So quickly and jerky, my movements made in fear as it overtakes me. I cut left so I don’t cross the window of the store, and as soon as I am out of view, I put my head down and run like the devil is on my arse.