Mag-log inPippa’s hand is still on the key, about to shut off the engine, but I’m already out. I don’t even remember opening the door. One second I’m in the car, the next second I'm slamming the door behind me. My chest is locked up; my head is buzzing so loud that I can't hear anything else.“Diana!” Pippa calls after me, but I don't stop.My legs feel weak, I feel like they'll collapse any second but I keep moving anyway, stomping up the stairs. They creak under my weight like they're going to snap, but they've been like that for years. Looking all weak but sturdy. Just like my fucking mom!I reach the door and push it; it's locked, almost throwing me back.“Of course,” I groan, my hand already hitting the doorbell.I hit it the first time, second time, third time. Zero breaks. I keep pressing it like I’m trying to break it, then I hear footsteps inside. The lock clicks and the door drags open. Lo and behold, there's my mom. All dressed up with her hair done. Looking… normal. Like she d
~~~DIANA~~~ {4 PM}I take a huge bite from the burger in my hand, way bigger than I should, and immediately regret it. The cream sauce runs out the side and smears across my lip; before I can wipe it, it's already made a drop on my tank top.“Ugh! No,” I mumble, pulling the burger away. I swipe at my mouth with mu thumb, already annoyed.“I hate when it does that. Why can’t food just... go straight in the mouth?”Pippa is absolutely fighting for her life with her stuffed salsa sandwich. It’s falling everywhere in her hands, sauce dripping down her fingers, and she’s still trying to talk through it.“Mmmph... Diana... okay, listen,” she says, words all mashed together.I give her that glare. “Finish chewing before you speak, please. You sound like you’re gargling tomatoes.”She ignores me, still chewing, then finally swallows it. “Okay. I have a suggestion.”“You always have a suggestion. Last time your suggestion got us drunk and rolling in Cairo's jet.”“That was one time. And it b
~~~CAIRO~~~My car’s already parked and the interior is dead quiet. But Diana’s tender breathing sounds like the sweetest fucking melody in my ears. She’s completely out of it. After the explosion of tears and that goddamn mess at her mom's house, her body finally just gave up.She’s draped across me like a tired doll, her head tucked into the corner of my neck. I can feel the warmth of her skin through my shirt, and every time she exhales, I feel it right against my chest. I don't want to move or blink. I want to sit in the dark and feel her heart beating gently against mine.I look down at her hand resting on my chest. The "WELCOME HOME MOMMY" bracelet is tucked beautifully on her wrist. It’s cheap, it’s not even colorful, and it looks ridiculous against the expensive fabric of my suit, but I can’t stop looking at it. My body shakes with a soft laugh. “Skye, you little trouble.”I reach down and take her hand, lifting it slowly to steal a kiss. I press my lips to the pulse on
“You! Get the hell out of my house!” Mom screams at Cairo the second she sees him standing in the doorway. Her voice is shaking with so much rage, but she keeps going. “I still have that video of you... Mr. Cairo Arsher. One phone call and I’ll make sure the cops drag you away in handcuffs.”“You think your money can save you? I'm going to bury you for what you did to my sister!”My heart is breaking in two. My cheek is burning from where she slapped me.“Stay the hell away from my daughter or I swear on my life I will destroy your reputation," she screams. “I don’t care how much power you think you have. I’ll make sure everyone knows exactly what kind of murderer you are!”Cairo doesn’t even look at her as she makes her empty threats. His eyes are only on my face, staring at the spot where she slapped me. He walks past my mom in two big steps and hurls me into his hands. One arm holding my knees, the other around my neck.“Let’s get out of here, baby."He turns and brushes right
"If she says anything harsh, just give me a sign and I'll come get you out of there, okay?" Cairo whispers into my hair.I want to melt into his arms. God, I wish we weren't right in front of my mom's house right now."I'm gonna be fine, Cairo. You don't need to save me on this one. I got it."I finally turn to look at him. It's already getting dark, but I can see the real panic on his face. The last time he trusted me to talk to my mom alone, it ended with me slapping him across the face and screaming at him to get out.My thumb brushes his cheek. I can feel his faint, spiky stubble under my fingers."I need her to stop threatening you with that video. She has to understand that we're together now, okay?""Okay," he breathes out.I can't help but smile. My poor soldier. Last time he was all strong and mighty. Now it's almost like he's not sure how any of this is going to turn out.I finally cross to the other side of the road and head toward the garden. Cairo had to park on the othe
{MORNING| CAIRO'S GRAND HOTEL}"Pippa is actually such a lightweight," I whine, feeling the rough texture of the sponge on my back as Cairo scrubs away the salt and the sweat from last night. I lean my forehead against the cold, wet mirror as the massive rain shower head drenches us both. "She was acting like such a pro on the jet, and then, three drinks in and she’s snoring loud enough to shake the cabin. I honestly thought I was gonna be the first one to pass out."Cairo presses a biting kiss to my shoulder blades. "Gossiping about your friend when she can hear you from the other room?""Oh, I hope she does!" I laugh out."You’ve got a lot of fight in you, Diana," he growls into my hair with that deep morning grit. "I’m not just talking about tequila. Thought you were gonna bolt the second we walked into that suite yesterday.”“I was... staring at you, just waiting for you to run over and tell me 'no way, Cairo.' But you stayed."I spin around in his arms, the water splashing bet







