Page 1 of Dancing With Redemption

1

Roxie

“You know, last night I told Lincoln I didn’t know where you were. And that I’d tell him if I found out.” Nick’s voice broke into Roxie’s thoughts, and she turned to see that boyish smile of his in place. He was enjoying making Lincoln squirm, that was obvious.

Roxie turned back to stare out of the window of his penthouse apartment, her voice smothered by the weight of her emotions, her eyes narrowed against the glare of morning sunshine. She could only nod in response, her arms wrapped tightly around her waist as if to hold everything inside that threatened to pour out if she opened her mouth.

She’d come to him after a lot of internal debate in her car. Her thoughts had been too scattered to make any decision other than the one that had brought her here. Getting out of South Carolina and ending all of this drama about her past, once and for all, was the only answer. Lincoln would keep Lily safe, just as he’d keep her safe, if she allowed him that option.

Safety wasn’t what she needed right now, answers were what she needed, and she wouldn’t get those down here. A trip to New York, back to her old stomping grounds, might make them all safe again, if she could find out who’d killed her parents and put an end to a decade of hiding like a mouse.

The only problem was, Lincoln would find her if she went the commercial route. Nick had his own private jet, which meant he could get her out without Lincoln being any the wiser. That was exactly what Roxie wanted, anonymity and the peace to do what she needed to do.

“It figures he’d do that. I haven’t even been gone that long.” Roxie sat down on the black leather sofa in the living room, her eyes now on the man that would readily take Lincoln’s place in her heart, if she’d let him. That wasn’t an option either. Not because she didn’t like Nick, but because Lincoln was irreplaceable, even if he was a giant dick sometimes. “I wonder if his little band of security people are staked out downstairs, waiting to see if I pop up.”

“Hm, that is a concern. I’ll arrange for a car with tinted windows, then they won’t be able to see you,” Nick answered smoothly, sitting down at the other end of the couch. “But should I be worried about you up there alone, Roxie?”

“I’ll be fine.” She waved off his concern, her eyes avoiding his. She didn’t know if she’d be fine or not, but she didn’t want to think about that right now.

“I’d feel better if you’d take a gun with you,” he started, but the way she shook her head vehemently made him stop. “Why not?”

“Bringing a gun is just asking for something to happen,” she replied, which made him shake his head. Only he added an eye-roll to his response.

“No, Roxie, it’s not. It’s being safe. Like wearing a condom, even if the woman isn’t ovulating. Just in case…” he noticed the way her eyes narrowed, and her lips pursed and stopped with a sigh. “Fine, but I would feel better.”

“I appreciate that, and your concern, but I can’t go to New York with a gun. I’ll call you if I need something when I’m there,” she said to appease him.

“I hope you’ll call me whether you need something or not, just to keep me updated.” His voice came out smooth, but there was still worry there and that made her feel guilty.

But she’d carried around enough guilt for long enough. It was time to get rid of some of it, and that meant facing her past, head-on. She couldn’t do that here, even if it would be dangerous to go back home. “I’ll call you every night, or send a message. I promise.”

“That’ll have to do, I guess. The car is here, are you ready?” Nick asked and Roxie got up.

“Yeah, I’m ready.” She grabbed her bag from the floor where she’d dropped it and went for the door. “Are you coming with me?”

“No, I need to get some work done here, but if you need anything, just buzz me.” He got up and followed her to the door, his hand coming to rest, not on her face, where it hovered for a moment, but on the edge of the door. “Let me know when you land. I’ll be waiting.”

“I will. Thanks, Nick.” She pushed up to kiss his cheek lightly before she moved away. “I do appreciate it.”

“It’s my pleasure, Rox. Take care.” His eyes clouded with sadness, but she watched it slip away into a smile.

“You too,” she said and walked away from him, ready to get this all over with.

The car took her to the airport where she boarded Nick’s private jet immediately. There was barely time for anyone that may have followed the car to recognize her, but just in case, she’d put on a hoodie to hide her hair. Once the plane landed and came to a stop, Roxie got out of her seat, bag over her shoulder, and walked off the plane.

She jumped in a taxi waiting outside the airport. The female driver entered the address Roxie had mentioned into a map app and then put the car in drive.

It wasn’t long before memories from a decade before were nudged back to life. The oak tree at the junction of the road that would either take her to what used to be her home, or further down to what used to be June’s home, still stood alive and well. It was huge and sprawling, full of secrets and silent memories that would never be spoken. Then the old green barn that still hadn’t fallen down, in an abandoned lot, came into view, which caused a smile to pull at her lips.

She’d expected an empty lot where the house used to be, but as the driver drove up the driveway, Roxie was surprised to see a home that was just as sprawling as her old home had been filling the space. This home was brick, with three floors, but didn’t sprawl out the way her old home had. Instead, the house was compact but still a mansion. Who lived there now? She wondered. Did they have a little girl who loved ballet so much that her parents built her a studio to practice in?

Were there many children in this new house, filling the place with laughter and warmth? Was there a pool in the back now, or a tennis court? What had replaced the things that had remained in her memory?

“Is this your final destination, miss?” The driver asked, not rushing her, but obviously needing to get on to the next ride, if Roxie was done.

“No, it’s not, I just wanted to see this place first,” Roxie said, before giving the driver another address.

This time, when they reached their destination, Roxie got out of the car. “Thanks for the ride.”