Chapter 181: Don’t you dare

Chapter 181: Don’t you dare
Avery's POV 

Abigail slowly turned her head. Her voice was faint but teasing.

“Took you long enough.”

Avery’s laugh broke, then cracked into a sob as she rushed forward, dropping into the chair beside the bed. She didn’t touch her—she waited. For permission? She didn't really know what she was waiting for.

Abigail raised a hand towards Avery.  “It’s okay. I’m still me.”

Avery laced their fingers together, gently. Carefully.

“I’m so sorry, Abbs.”

Abigail shook her head.

“Don’t you dare.”

“They did this because of me.”

“No,” Abigail said, her voice firm despite the rasp. “They did this because they’re afraid of you. Of who you’re becoming.”

That stilled Avery. She hadn't known Abigail for long, but she definitely didn't expect this from her, after what it had cost her.

Abigail smiled—crooked, tired, shaky, but warm.

“You might think I don't know you, Avery, and I can't lie that I do because I've only known you for a very short time, but that was enough to show me that you're fire Ave. You might not see it but everyone does.”

Avery looked down at their joined hands.

“Well, I'm burning everyone now, aren't I? I didn’t want anyone else to get burned.”

“Then make sure you’re the last one they touch.”

Abigail's eyes sharpened.

“Finish this, Avery.”

Avery leaned forward and pressed her forehead to her friend’s.

“I will. I swear.”

“And when you do…” Abigail’s lips twitched, “you owe me a vacation. Somewhere with no psychos and decent cocktails.”

Avery finally smiled.

“Deal.”

She stayed until Abigail fell asleep again, her breathing even.

Then she stood, stepped out into the hall—and something about her was different now.

She was still hurting. But no longer haunted.

It was time to finish this.

It's a new day.

Last night was one of deep thoughts and decision making. After my short visit with Abigail before she fell asleep, I realized that I've been stupider than I thought. Everyone believed the best of me and I only just saw and thought the worst of myself. Well, that ended in the guest bedroom with Abigail, because like it or not, I was tired of all that was going on.

I was trying to recover from trauma because of all that they had done to me. I was training because I wanted to protect myself from them. I couldn't even remember the last time Dario and I just chilled and had a good time, playing games and having fun, because our time was now occupied with fighting and figuring different shit out.

Well, I was tired, so it was time to put this madness to an end.

I had a good sleep, tucked in Dario's arms, but waking up at just slightly past nine in the morning, I couldn't find Dario in the room, and his side of the sheets were stark cold, signifying that he had been gone for a pretty long time. 

I got up, brushed my teeth, and put on an outfit that could withstand the cold, because to my surprise, it was really cold this morning, compared to the comfortable warmth of the past few days. I had my hair down, just to protect my hair from the cold. 

I didn't even bother to take a shower. I just wanted to find Dario and that's what I was going to do, because with the way things were going lately, I couldn't be blamed for fussing over everything and everyone and putting deeper meanings into every random observation I make.

I followed my gut down to the first place it led me — Dario's war room. It was a cold and extremely silent walk down those steps and into the underground layer of the house, and I couldn't help but worry, because with the trail of things happening, it was rare to walk ten steps without seeing any of Dario's men, not to talk of ten whole minutes.

I got to the war room and found the door closed. Was he in there and shut it to avoid distractions, or was he somewhere else. The only way I could know was to push open the door, so I did and right in the center of the room was Dario with over twenty men surrounding him.

Where did all these people come from? I hadn't seen them before. Not once. 

They all froze as their eyes roamed over me, taking in my oversized pastel pink sweater that hid the shorts I was wearing underneath, making it seem like that sweater was the only thing I had on.

I walked in with their gazes still on me, and to my surprise, I didn't flinch. I remembered when I found it difficult standing in front of Dario's men. When I used to be so shaky that Dario would have to come and hold my hand. Now, I didn't even care that they were in there. It made no difference to me.

Like it or not, I was really proud of myself over that.

“Hey Avery.” Dario greeted, probably feeling slightly — or really — uncomfortable with the silence.

“Hi.” I smiled slightly as I closed the door behind me and took more steps into the room. 

“What are you guys doing?” I asked, still striding forward with my head held up high.

“Nothing much. Just going through coordinates, routes, and trying to figure out Nicolo’s plans.”

“Hmm. Great. Now let me see what we're working with.” I walked towards the maps and papers strewn all over the table, but before I could get to it, five bodies were already standing in front of me.

“Get out of the way.” I growled, not even bothering to look up at them.

“Avery, no.” I heard Dario order before I looked up at him in shock. 

“No? What exactly are you saying ‘no’ to, Dario?” I stepped back, placing a hand on my hip.

“I don't want you wrapped up in all these again. You've already been in so much danger these past few weeks, and I really just want it to all be over. So no. I won't be letting you participate in this.”