“Goddamn it, Abby. What’s inside this?” He went back to his black bag, pulling out the red diary.
“She tells you she loves you,” I said. On every page, on every single page she told him she loves him. “She gave you that diary, Theo, and without it, we never would have found her.”
“It’s her reason for leaving me. It’s not a map; it’s a goddamn goodbye.”
“Theo…”
“Fucking drop it, Abigail.” All his careful bodyguard composure fell, eyes blazing. “Stop pushing your issues on me. You can’t make her love me anymore than you can love yourself.”
Tears blurred the edges of my vision. I swiped them away, absently wondering if they’d bothered to use waterproof mascara.
Theo glanced at his watch. “We should go.”
Twenty-Six
ABIGAIL
Ned was just outside the gilded white double doors. Soon I’d link my arm in his and walk down the steps. His dad would be happy our families got along, happy I was keeping my worlds separate. The acquisition would be solidified. I’d probably make my mom happy. The rich would get richer. Great.
I didn’t even give a shit about that at the moment.
Everything was so fucked up between Theo and me. I’d declared my love for him, and he’d declared his for me. Instead of bringing us together, it propelled us apart. Frantic, nervous energy zinged in my veins.
“I don’t want to go through this door. I don’t want to put my arm in his hand.” Word vomit spilled out of me. “I don’t want to do it. I want…”
I want you, Theo Hound.
“I won’t let anything happen to you,” Theo said from behind me. “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”
There was a deadly determination in his voice that should’ve comforted me. Instead chills ran up my spine.
I tried to lighten the mood. “I know. You’re my guard dog. You’re always behind me.”
The doors were opening, light and laughter and music seeping in through the crack.
Holding my dress up, I spun away from the doors, into the pale green eyes of Theo.
“I love you,” I said. I’m sure my eyes were too wide, my voice too desperate.
The music got louder. Golden light bathed Theo’s face. The door was open and waiting for me. It must’ve been only seconds, but it felt like an eternity for him to respond.
“For now,” Theo said at last.
My heart bottomed out with the force of an elevator crashing and shattering to the floor.
I didn’t want to, but I had to turn away. The gossamer of my dress floated against the marble floor as I stepped through the door. Ned stood to the side, waiting for me.
I linked arms with Ned, my guard dog always at my back.
Always.
Twenty-Seven
ABIGAIL
Theo disappeared.
The second I hit the steps with Ned, I turned to look over my shoulder at him and he’d just…disappeared. I tried not to panic. He wouldn’t leave me alone with Ned, not on purpose, not unless something was wrong.