Chapter 26: The Vow (Daniel POV)
Chapter 26: The Vow (Daniel POV)
I stand in the tailor’s shop, the air thick with the smell of fabric and cologne. The suit clings to me, dark gray and stiff, the jacket tight across my shoulders. The tailor’s an older guy, quiet, pinning the hem of my pants with quick hands. Rita’s next to me, sitting on a cushioned chair, flipping through a notebook full of wedding plans. “I think fifty guests is good,” she says, her voice light and fast. “Mom wants more, but I told her we should keep it small. What do you think?” She looks up, her eyes bright, waiting for me to answer. I stare at myself in the mirror, the tie choking my neck, and feel nothing. “Sure,” I say, my voice flat, barely there. She nods, happy, and keeps talking.
The tailor steps back, brushing his hands together. “Turn,” he says, short and sharp. I do, slow, my boots heavy on the wood floor. Rita’s voice fills the room, steady and sure. “We need to pick the cake soon,” she says. “And the flowers. I like roses, but maybe lilies too. Oh, and Uncle Ted’s coming, he RSVP’d yesterday.” She laughs a little, writing something down. I clench my fists, my nails digging into my palms. The tie’s too tight, the suit too hot, and her words buzz in my head like flies I can’t swat away. I see Leo instead, his grin, his hands on me, not this shop, not this life. “Daniel?” she says, looking up again. “You’re quiet. You okay?”
I don’t answer. My chest tightens, sharp and fast, and I grab the tie, pulling at it hard. The knot sticks, and I yank again, my fingers shaking. “Hey,” Rita says, standing now, her voice soft. “What’s wrong?” I rip the tie off, the fabric tearing a little, and throw it on the floor. “I can’t do this,” I say, loud, my voice rough. The tailor freezes, a pin in his hand, staring at me. Rita’s eyes go wide. “Daniel, calm down,” she says, stepping closer. “It’s just a fitting.” I shake my head, fast, and pull the jacket off, tossing it on the chair. “No,” I say, louder now. “I can’t.” I turn, shoving past the tailor, and head for the door.
“Daniel!” Rita calls, her voice high, but I don’t stop. I push the glass door open, the bell jingling loud, and step into the street. The air’s cool, hitting my face hard, and I breathe deep, my chest still tight. My truck’s parked a block away, and I walk fast, my boots pounding the pavement. People pass me, talking, laughing, but I don’t look at them. I dig my keys out of my pocket, my hands shaky, and climb in. The door slams shut, loud in the quiet cab, and I grip the wheel, staring at the dash. Leo’s shirt’s still there, folded on the passenger seat, black and stained with paint. My throat burns, and I start the engine, the roar filling my ears.
I drive, fast, the city blurring past me. I don’t think about where I’m going, but I know. Leo’s building. I need to see him, need to fix this. The streets twist, lights flashing green and red, and I weave through traffic, my hands tight on the wheel. My phone buzzes in my pocket, over and over, probably Rita, but I don’t check. I can’t. The building comes into view, old and gray, the paint peeling like always. I park crooked, half on the curb, and jump out, leaving the engine running. The street’s dark, quiet, and I run up the steps, my boots loud on the concrete.
His door’s right there, number 12, scratched and faded. I bang on it, hard, my fist stinging. “Leo!” I yell, my voice echoing in the hall. “Open up! It’s me!” No answer. The windows are dark, no light leaking out. I bang again, louder, the wood shaking under my hand. “Leo, please!” Still nothing. My heart pounds, fast and heavy, and I press my ear to the door, listening. Silence. Too much silence. I step back, breathing hard, and look around. The hall’s empty, but a door creaks open down the way, an old guy sticking his head out. “Hey!” he snaps, his voice rough. “Keep it down!”
I turn, fast, walking toward him. “You seen Leo?” I ask, loud, my hands clenched. “The guy who lives here?” The neighbor frowns, his eyes narrow. “Yeah, I seen him,” he says, slow. “His brother took him somewhere today. Looked bad, real bad. They’re gone.” My stomach drops, cold and sharp, and I lean closer. “Gone where?” I say, my voice shaking. He shrugs, stepping back. “Don’t know. Just gone.” He shuts the door, the lock clicking loud, leaving me standing there.
I slump against the wall, my back hitting the brick hard. Took him somewhere. Jake took him. Claire said he was breaking down, and now he’s gone. My legs feel weak, and I slide down, sitting on the floor, my head in my hands. The hall’s cold, the air stale, and I close my eyes, seeing Leo’s face, pale and lost. I did this. I left him, and now he’s gone. My chest hurts, a deep ache, and I pull my phone out, slow, my fingers numb. Rita’s texts are there, five of them, asking where I am, what’s wrong. I swipe them away, find Claire’s number, and type fast. “Leo’s gone. Jake took him. Find out where.” I hit send, the screen glowing in the dark, and lean my head back, staring at the ceiling, waiting.