Present
Growing up, I was always seen as the weak link of my family. The useless component that would just be used in some sort of deal to gain money for my family. I was the one who was discarded while my brother was the one who was trained to take over the family one day.
What my father didn’t know was that once my brother was finished with his training for the day, he’d take me out to the old, abandoned cabin that’s hidden at the back of our property and teach me everything he had learned. He didn’t want me to be unable to protect myself, knowing that at some point I might find those skills useful.
One of the things he taught me was to pick up on when I was being watched. To notice the shift in the air when I was no longer alone. To notice if anyone was tracking my movements.
Which is how I know that Marco fucking Romano has been following me around all week. I’ve let him have his fun, waiting for him to approach me. Only he hasn’t, and I’m sick of his mind games.
I march across the hospital parking lot towards his car where he’s been sitting and watching every time I’ve left work this week. He’ll usually follow behind me in his car for a couple of blocks before parking up and following me onto the subway. Not fucking today. I’ve had enough.
Marco’s eyes widen as I approach. Clearly, he hadn’t known I was aware of what he was doing.
I open the passenger side door of the car and slip inside.
“Drive,” I grunt as I slam the door closed behind me.
He stares at me for a moment before giving me a slight nod and shifting the car into drive. I know Marco, and I know the way he drives. Usually, he drives like an asshole, ignoring the speed limits. Not today. Today it seems like he’s trying to drive as slow as possible.
“Why the fuck have you been following me?”
“Just making sure you’re safe,” he grunts.
I roll my eyes. “Just take me home, Marco.”
He hums in response, and I stare out of the window. I should have just confronted him in the parking lot and gone on my way, though no doubt he still would have followed me, anyways. The thing about Marco Romano? He always seems to get what he wants. Or he used to, back when I thought I knew him.
I need to remind myself that the Marco I once thought I knew wasn’t real. He was a carefully cultivated illusion made to reel me in before he spat me back out. Marco Romano isn’t the man who took me on dates and listened as I told my truths. He wasn’t the man who would do anything for me. He wasn’t who I thought he was. No, he was a liar, a true liar, from the beginning, and he broke my fucking heart. He shattered me, pulled me apart piece by piece. He built me up only to tear me apart, leaving me bruised and broken.
Only he wasn’t actually the one to break me, it was the aftermath of him that ruined me. It was—
“Have you spoken to your brother lately?” Marco’s gruff voice pulls me from my spiraling thoughts and I turn to face him.
I study him for a moment, once again taking in the changes in him over the years. He was handsome when we were younger, and the years have been good to him, since he’s goddamn breathtaking now.
Why the fuck does he have to look like that?
“Why do you want to know?”
He rolls his eyes and grunts.
Classic Marco.
“There’s shit going down, Sloane. I just wanted to make sure you knew. You need to keep an eye out, don’t let your guard down. I’m sure whatever is happening won’t affect you, but just try and stay safe, okay? Especially if you won’t let me watch over you.”
Now it’s my turn to roll my eyes. “I can take care of myself, Marco. I’ve been doing it my whole fucking life, even more so after I moved to Arizona.”
His head snaps towards me. “What does that mean? Did someone hurt you?”
Yes, you did.
I say nothing, only roll my eyes and shake my head in exasperation.
“Are you ready for us to talk yet?” he murmurs.
“Nope.”
“There’s shit you don’t know, Sloane. You deserve to have all the facts.”
“I’m not interested right now, Marco. I’m trying to get used to being back in the city, trying to get used to a new job. I don’t need the past coming back to haunt me. I told you that I might be ready someday, just not yet. Have some patience.” I regret the words as soon as they leave my mouth. I know exactly what he’s about to say next. He’s about to call me out on it in three… two… one…
“You know how well that went last time, little warrior,” he says with a smirk.
Called it.
Memories of that night threaten to bubble up to the surface, but I push them away. Those memories aren’t mine. I’m not the same person I was back then. I’ll never be her again. Not after everything that happened.
I’m a broken version of the person I once was and I’m okay with that. I’d rather feel that pain every day than not feel at all.
Ever since the day I started working at New York Pres, Skye has been on my case about going out dancing. I’d refused so far, since I no longer feel like the care-free girl I used to be. These days I’d rather stay home and order takeout than leave the house. But I figured it’s about time I gave in, and what better way to forget all about the man who owned my heart and popped back up in my world, turning it upside down once again?
Which is exactly how I ended up here, sitting at the bar in Arcane watching as Skye grinds against some guy on the dance floor. One thing I’ve noticed about my new friend is that she seems to like garnering male attention, but as soon as things start heating up, she retreats.
I’m not exactly sure what happened to her, I just know that her mind drifts off sometimes and she has a tendency to jump when she’s unsuspectingly approached. I like to think that she’ll open up to me about her past one day, but if anyone knows what it’s like to want to leave the past behind, it’s me.
We’ve been here for a few hours already, it’s 01:00 a.m. and I’m ready to get the fuck out of here. Judging by the look Skye shoots me from the dance floor and the way she tilts her head, I’m guessing she’s feeling the same way.
She heads my way and I meet her in the middle before grabbing her hand, pulling her through the throngs of people so that we don’t lose each other. We make it out onto the street and head towards a cab, but before I climb in, a chill runs down my spine. My gaze darts around, looking for him. I huff out a breath before climbing in the cab and giving the driver mine and Skye’s addresses.
As we drive towards Skye’s apartment block, I pull out my phone to send Marco a text.
Were you watching me again tonight?
His reply comes in instantly.
Marco
No, why? Are you okay? It’s nearly one thirty in the morning, what’s going on?
Huh. I could have sworn I sensed someone watching me. Then again, it could have just been the cocktails.
Everything’s fine. I was just double checking.
The cab driver drops Skye off before making the short drive to my condo. Once inside, I kick off my heels and make my way through the apartment and into the kitchen. Just as I’m taking a bottle of water from the fridge, my cell rings. Furrowing my brows, I fumble with my purse until I find my phone. I scowl at the screen when I see the caller ID.
“What do you want, Marco?” I ask once I answer.
“I wanted to make sure you were okay. Was someone watching you? Where were you?” he grunts.
I roll my eyes. “Where I was is none of your business. And I’m sure I was just imagining things, or it was probably just the drinks I had. Everything’s fine. I’m fi—” My voice cuts off as my gaze snags on an envelope sitting on the floor near the front door. I must have missed it when I came in.
“Sloane?” Marco asks as I cautiously make my way over to the door.
“Uh huh?” I ask as I crouch down and pick up the envelope. I look it over and see that there’s nothing written on it. Someone must have slipped it under the door.
I head back to the kitchen and put the call on speaker before opening it up.
“Sloane, I swear to fuck, answer me. What the hell is going on? Are you okay?” Marco asks, concern evident in his tone.
“One sec,” I say shakily. He must pick up on my wariness because I hear him muttering to himself before I hear the distinct sound of him shuffling around and picking up his keys. Only being able to focus on one thing at once right now, I give the envelope my full attention.
I tip it upside down and a note falls onto the counter. My hands tremble as I pick it up, breath stuttering as I read the words written on the page.
Tears drip down my face as my legs crumble beneath me. I hit the floor with a thud, though I don’t feel anything. The only thing I feel is the pain of the memories washing over me. Memories I’ve spent ten years coming to terms with. If only I had known back when me and Marco were dating what was about to happen, I’d have ended things between us before they began. I’d have broken things off before they broke me.
