Running from hell isnʼt easy. Especially when thereʼs someone dragging you back down into it.
Belligerent, brash and always in shades of black, Freya is hardly a lady. Hidden away by her father, sheʼs lived a normal life despite being born into the...
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THE DRIVE TO STATEN ISLAND seems to take forever. I’m sitting in the back of the SUV, staring out the window as the surroundings slowly morph into familiarity.
I’ve been away from home for far longer during college, but this time it felt different. Like my life was hanging by the finest thread that could snap at any moment. When I finally catch the sight of the face brick mansion, I feel my stomach turn.
I never really liked this house that much. And after Ana got married and moved out, I would have even less to like about it. In fact, I was thinking of moving out permanently after she got married.
That plan turned out great.
The SUV parks a few feet from the entrance of the house, and the Costa guard in the driver’s seat doesn’t budge.
“Are you just going to wait out here the whole time?” I ask him.
He shrugs. “Boss’s orders.”
Of course. Rolling my eyes, I get out the car, pacing for the front door.
Dimitri’s on guard. He spots me at the door and butts out his cigarette on the brick wall, narrowing his eyes as if he’s not sure he’s seeing right. His mouth opens slightly as I walk past him and into the house, a grin tugging at my lips.
I walk further into the house until I catch sight of Ana in the kitchen, humming along to some pop song while she adds frosting to a tray of cupcakes. She’s barefoot, wearing shorts, her blonde hair is in a messy bun. Despite everything, I chew back a smile. It’s the most carefree I’ve seen her in years.
She lifts her head, sees me, then gasps. “Frey?”
And then she’s running to me, leaping into my arms and almost knocking me to the floor. I laugh as I get pushed back two steps with the force of her hug.
Her green eyes roam my face, and then they start to tear up. “I missed you.”
My chest turns soft. “I’ve only been gone a few days.”
She blinks back the tears. “No, I— it’s…you learnt how to braid your hair without me?”
“Oh.” Instinctively, my hand goes to my hair. The lie comes easy. “Yeah.”
The truth would be too hard to explain.
Her perfectly manicured brows pull together. “Why didn’t you come earlier?”
“I was bonding with my future husband,” I murmur dryly.
There’s a mixture of surprise and optimism in her gaze. “Really?”
“No,” I scoff, reaching for a cupcake. “Who do you think I am?”
“Hey.” She swats at my hand. “I haven’t added sprinkles yet.”
