Chapter 88 Departure
Melissa’s POV
In the hallway, I finally let out the breath I’d been holding.
My chest felt tight. I remember what Jason told me, but he kind of made it seem like Gavin was heartless, but I choose to trust Gavin.
“She’ll be fine.”
“Will she?” I asked quietly.
“Yes.” His thumb brushed across my knuckles. “Kane is… difficult. But he’s good at what he does. And what he does is protect people.”
“He barely knows her.”
“Sometimes that doesn’t matter.” His blue eyes met mine. “Sometimes you just know.”
I thought about the party where we’d first met. The kiss that had started everything. The way my entire world had tilted the moment our eyes met.
“Yeah,” I whispered. “Sometimes you just know.”
He pulled me closer, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Trust me, Piccola. She’s safer with Kane.”
I wanted to believe him. I needed to believe him.
“Give me a second,” I said, pulling away gently.His eyebrow raised. “Melissa…”
“Just one second. Please, my love.”
He studied my face for a moment, then nodded and released my hand.I turned and walked back into the apartment, pushing the door open quietly.
Kane and Aria had moved to the couch. She was still tucked against his side, her face red and puffy from crying. He had one arm around her shoulders.
They both looked up when I entered.“Mel?” Aria’s voice was small.
I crossed to them and held out my hand. “Come here.”
Aria looked at Kane, who nodded once and released her.
She took my hand and let me pull her up and guide her a few steps away, into the hallway that led to what I assumed was Kane’s bedroom.
The moment we were alone, I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered into her purple hair. “I saw that bastard hit you and I let you go back. Forgive me. I’ve been so involved in myself, in my own mess, that I forgot about you. I’m so sorry, Aria.”
Her body shook against mine. For a moment, I thought she was crying again.Then I realized she was laughing.
She pulled back gently and looked at me, her eyes still wet but clearer now.
“It’s fine, Melissa.” Her hands found mine, squeezing it softly. “It’s not your fault. I had to go back. And I felt so trapped because of my family, because of everything they expected. But it’s fine now.”
I searched her face. “Aria, you just met Kane some days ago.”
“I know.” She cut me off with a small smile. “I’ve only known him for a day and I trust him. I don’t know why. I should be terrified or running. And this is so unlike me ahhht…” She trailed off, her cheeks flushing.
I nodded slowly. “The men in our lives are unconventional, that’s for sure. But I feel like he’s good. I can see it in his eyes…he won’t hurt you.”
“I know.” She squeezed my hands again. “I know he won’t.”
“But Aria, listen to me.” I made sure she was looking directly at me. “If anything happens…and I mean anything…you call me. Immediately. It breaks my heart that you thought you couldn’t reach out before, that you felt you had to handle everything alone. But you can call me. Always. Do you understand?”
Tears gathered in her eyes again, but she blinked them back and nodded. “I understand. I promise.”
I pulled her into one more quick hug, kissing her hair. “I love you. You’re my sister.”
“I love you too, Mel.”
When we walked back to the living room, Kane was standing by the window again. He looked at Aria immediately.
“Ready?” Gavin asked from the doorway.
I nodded and gave Aria one last look. She smiled at me…a real smile this time…and that was enough.
Gavin and I left together, his hand finding mine as soon as we stepped into the elevator.
——-
The drive back to the penthouse was quiet.
Gavin drove with one hand on the wheel, the other resting on my thigh. That was something I was already getting used to.
We took the elevator up together. When the elevator doors opened into the penthouse, the first thing I noticed was the changes in the living room.
Mom.was arranging the pillows on the coach and turned when she heard us, and a smile spread across her face.
“There you are!” She walked over, her champagne-colored robe swishing around her legs. “I was wondering where everyone had gone.”
“Just handling some things,” Gavin said smoothly.
Mom came to me first, pulling me into a hug that smelled like her familiar perfume and coffee.
“You’ve been so busy lately, sweetheart,” she said, pulling back to look at my face. “You and Gavin both. You need to rest more.”
“I’m fine, Mom.”
“You look exhausted.” She turned to Gavin, her expression taking on that motherly concern that made my chest ache. “Gavin, dear, I know the hockey tournament is coming soon, but you need to rest. You’re working too hard.”
He nodded, his expression softening slightly in that way it only did around her. “You’re right. I’ll try to slow down.”
“Good.” She clapped her hands together, her smile brightening. “Well then, since you’re both here, there’s something I want to tell you.”
“What is it?” I asked, trying to keep my voice light despite the sudden tension I felt.
Mom’s smile widened, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“I’ve made a decision,” she said, clasping her hands together in front of her chest.“I’ve booked a flight,” she said. “To California. I’m leaving tomorrow morning.”
The words hung in the air.
I felt my entire body go cold.
“What?” I managed.
“Just for a visit,” she added quickly, seeing my expression. “Just for a little while. I have some old friends out there, and I realized I needed some space.work has been too hard on me.”
“How long?” Gavin asked.
“I’m not sure yet,” she said softly. “A week. Maybe two. I’ll figure it out when I get there.”
“Mom, this is so sudden…”
“I know, sweetheart.” She came to me and took both my hands in hers. “I know it seems sudden. But I need this. I need to clear my head.” She gestured vaguely around the penthouse.
Mom squeezed my hands. “I’ll be back before you know it. And you’ll be fine here. You have Gavin. And Jason. You’ll barely notice I’m gone.”
But I would notice. Of course I would notice.“When do you leave?” I asked quietly.
“Six AM tomorrow.” She smiled. “So I should probably finish packing. But I wanted to tell you both first.”
“Of course.” I pulled her into another hug, holding her tight. “Have a safe flight, Mom.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.” She kissed my cheek, then turned to Gavin. “Take care of her while I’m gone.”
“Always,” he said.