Chapter 40

Mira’s POV

My heart slammed hard against my chest.

Dro’s eyes stayed locked on the pills in my hand.

Think, Mira. Think fast.

“They’re just vitamins,” I said quickly, forcing a small, casual shrug like this wasn’t a big deal. “I’ve been feeling a little off lately. Travel, stress… you know.”

His gaze didn’t move. Not even a little.

“Vitamins?” he repeated slowly, stepping closer.

Shit.

I nodded, already moving to close the bottle and slip it back into my bag before he could get a better look. “Yeah. My doctor said I should be taking them regularly.”

He reached out slightly, like he wanted to take the bottle.

“Let me see”

I laughed lightly, cutting him off as I zipped my bag quickly. “Relax, doctor Montenegro. It’s nothing serious.”

There was a brief pause.

His eyes searched my face, clearly trying to decide if I was lying.

I held his gaze, forcing myself not to look away.

Finally, he exhaled softly, the tension easing from his shoulders.

“Alright,” he said. “If you say so.”

Relief washed through me so fast it almost made me dizzy.

“Good,” I replied, flashing him a small smile. “Now can I change without being interrogated?”

That earned a faint smirk from him.

“Go ahead.”

I grabbed my clothes and slipped into the bathroom before he could ask anything else.

Once the door shut behind me, I leaned against it, letting out a shaky breath.

That was too close.

Way too close. I couldn’t risk him finding out about my health.

A few minutes later, after changing into something warmer, I stepped back into the room.

Dro was sitting on the edge of the bed, scrolling through his phone.

“I’m going to check on Zara,” I said. “She disappeared earlier.”

He nodded. “Alright. I’ll be here.”

I gave him a small smile before heading out.

The hallway was quiet, the kind of quiet that made every little sound feel louder.

I reached Zara’s door and knocked lightly.

“Zara?” I called. “It’s me.”

No answer.

I frowned and knocked again, a little louder this time.

“Zara, open up.”

Still nothing.

But then I paused immediately and I heard a soft sound.

My eyes widened slightly as realization hit.

“Oh.”

A muffled moan slipped through the door, followed by a low male voice that I didn’t need to guess twice.

Danny.

I pressed my lips together, fighting a laugh.

“Well,” I muttered under my breath. “That was fast.”

I knocked once more, just for the sake of it. “Use protection!” I called out teasingly.

But there was no response.

I shook my head, smiling to myself as I turned and walked back down the hallway. I knew she didn’t shave for nothing.

When I got back to the room, Dro looked up.

“She’s alive?” he asked.

“Very,” I replied dryly. “Just  busy.”

He raised a brow, then smirked as he understood.

“Good for her.”

I laughed softly before climbing onto the bed beside him.

He pulled me closer without a word, his arm wrapping around me as I settled against his chest.

“You’re cold,” he murmured.

“Not anymore,” I said quietly.

For a while, neither of us spoke. Then my thoughts drifted back to earlier. How long could I keep hiding my situation from him?

The next morning came faster than I expected.

“Wake up,” Dro’s voice came, low and amused.

I groaned, burying my face deeper into the pillow. “No.”

He chuckled softly. “We’re going horse riding.”

That got my attention immediately.

I lifted my head slightly, squinting at him. “Horse riding?”

“Yeah,” he said. “I arranged it last night.”

I sat up slowly, brushing my hair out of my face. “Okay,  I’m listening.”

The ranch was beautiful.

Wide open fields stretched endlessly, the morning sun casting a soft golden glow over everything. The air felt fresh, crisp in a way that instantly woke me up.

And then I saw the horses.

My breath caught slightly as my eyes landed on one in particular.

A white horse stood a little apart from the others, its coat almost glowing under the sunlight.

“Wow,” I whispered, already walking toward it.

“She’s beautiful, right?” one of the staff said.

I nodded, unable to take my eyes off it. “She’s perfect.”

I reached out slowly, my fingers brushing against its smooth coat.

The horse huffed softly, nudging my hand.

“I want this one.” I smiled. “I’ll name you cookie.”

Behind me, I could feel eyes on me. I didn’t even have to turn to know it was Ace.

It had been happening all morning.

Every time I looked up, he was already looking at me.

And every time our eyes met, he’d look away like nothing happened. Except it didn’t feel like nothing.

Dro stepped up beside me, his hand settling on my waist.

“You like this one?” he asked.

“I love her,” I replied.

He smiled, then leaned down and kissed me softly.

It wasn’t just a kiss. It felt like he was trying to mark his territory. Like he sensed the tension between me and Ace and wanted him to know I was his.

When I glanced up again, Ace was watching.

His jaw tightened and he looked away immediately.

The ride started smoothly.

We moved through the open fields first before heading toward a trail that led into the woods.

The trees grew thicker as we went deeper, the sunlight filtering through the branches in soft patches.

At some point, I slowed down slightly, letting my horse move at its own pace.

The others were just ahead, their voices faint but still within earshot.

Then suddenly my horse jerked, startling me.

“Hey—”

Before I could react properly, it reared slightly, letting out a sharp, restless sound.

Panic shot through me.

“Whoa, calm down—”

But it didn’t and suddenly it bolted.

“Mira!” I heard someone shout behind me.

Trees rushed past me, my grip tightening as I tried to steady myself.

“Stop! Stop!”

The horse kept going faster and then it threw me off it’s back.

I hit the ground hard, pain shooting through my body as the air was knocked out of my lungs.

“Ah!” I gasped, trying to move.

A sharp pain shot through my ankle, making me wince.

“Shit,” I whispered, clutching it.

Footsteps rushed toward me.

“Mira!”

It was Ace.

He dropped to his knees beside me, his hands hovering like he didn’t know where to touch first.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice tight with worry.

“I think… I think I sprained my ankle,” I said, trying to sit up.

“Don’t move,” he said quickly, gently supporting me.

His hands were careful as he checked my ankle, his touch light but firm.

“This is going to hurt,” he warned.

“Be careful,” I muttered.

He pressed slightly as pain shot through me instantly.

I sucked in a sharp breath, grabbing onto his arm. “That hurts!”

“I know,” he muttered softly. “I’m sorry.”

For a moment, everything went quiet again.

Ace’s hands lingered slightly longer than necessary.

Then his eyes met mine and something shifted.

“I lied last night,” he said suddenly.

My heart skipped. “What?”

He swallowed hard, his jaw tightening.

“I do love you.”

The words hit harder than the fall. And that was one hard fall.

I stared at him, completely caught off guard.

“Ace—”

“I didn’t plan to,” he continued, his voice rough. “I didn’t even want to. But it just  happened.”

My chest tightened.

“I see you with him,” he went on. “And I hate it. Not because he’s bad for you. But because he got to you first.”

He sighed. “I also hate myself because he’s my friend and I feel like I’m betraying him.”

I didn’t know what to say and everything felt awkward.

“I don’t know how to deal with it, Mira,” he admitted quietly.

Then before I could react, Ace leaned in and kissed me.

My eyes widened in shock.

For a second, I froze.

Then reality snapped back and I pushed him.

“Ace, no—”

He pulled back instantly, breathing hard.

Suddenly I heard a voice and it startled me.

“Ace!”

It was Dro.