Page 43 of No Turning Back
Me
In a heartbeat, but this time I need to know everything.
I watch as she pauses. She sets her glasses on the desk and drops her head. After a moment, she stands up, turns off the light, and leaves the office. I watch as more lights flick off and on through the house.
I look at my phone when it chimes, indicating she set her alarm, and I know she’s going to bed now. After being with her for as I long as I have and watching her now, I know she doesn’t sleep very much. I also know she stopped seeing her counselor.
I’m about to drift off when a tap on my window has me turning. I look over and nod as Aries opens the door.
“You need to get some sleep. I’ve got Hades here to watch her. You go get some rest tonight, and he’ll take over.”
“I can’t leave her.” I can’t leave, even for my brother to watch her.
“You aren’t. Let your brothers help you. All of us.”
I drop my chin to my chest, knowing he’s right. I’ve done this so many times that I won’t be able to function soon if I don’t get some good sleep. But therein lies the main problem. How do I get good sleep when I’m not with her? When her body isn’t pressed against mine? I’ve grown used to her next to me. What if she has a nightmare and needs me? I don’t voice any of this though.
“Okay.” I give in.
I start up my truck and head back to the clubhouse and the bed I hate sleeping in. Because even that bed had her in it at times. She’s everywhere in my life and yet not. I need to get her back. I need to make this right.
Chapter Thirteen
Sydney
“This is going to be an epic first birthday with all your planning.” Lydia laughs at me as I change out of my uniform into black slacks, a cream-and-black polka-dot sleeveless blouse, and black-and-cream heels. My ankle is going to kill me later, but I want to look professional when I meet this man.
I don’t know who he is, but I know he has to be the man in the video clips. I know he’s cultured, and I won’t let him make me feel inferior. I’m fairly certain he’s the reason my team was attacked.
I pull my hair from the bun and let it fall down my back. I brush it out, letting the waves created from the bun give it a slight bend. I look at myself in the mirror and try to ignore Lydia. I hate keeping secrets from her and everyone, but I’m doing this to protect them.
“Hey, do I need to worry you are getting another job, or are you meeting a lunch date?” She waves her hand at my outfit.
I finally look at her through the mirror. “Nope, my employment with you is secure. Just want to look more put together than usual.”
“Why?”
“Just because.”
She moves to stand next to me at the counter. “Syd, tell me what’s going on. I know you asked Poseidon to move out. I know you are going through something more.”
“I can’t talk about it right now, and as for Tucker, he’s the one staying away because he says I’m not sharing all of myself with him.”
I turn and move back over to my locker to grab my purse. I look down into the bag and see the recorder I have stashed in there. I’m going to record today’s meeting to protect myself.
“Syd, we all feel like you are holding things back. I don’t know all of it, but I know some now that your attorneys have talked to the board. I wish you had told me. I only know that whatever happened on that last expedition was bad.”
“Bad?” I can’t help the pain that comes through my voice. I turn to look at her. “Bad? That’s what you think? It was the worst. Now, I have to go.”
I swing my bag onto my shoulder and pull my keys out as I make my way to my car. Tears try to break through, but I don’t let them.
I make my way to the hotel, feeling like everyone around me knows what I’m doing. I pull up to the valet and give him the keys as I step out of my car. I reach into my bag and click on the recorder as I make my way into the elegant hotel.
I head to the dining room, where the tea service is being held. At the hostess stand, I pause and look around. My eyes land on the man from the video, and I find it hard to move.
I don’t want him to know I recognize him or know what he did. I smile slightly and move my eyes around again, pretending I’m not looking for him.
“Miles, please,” I say to the attendant, and she leads me to the man from the video.
