Not you

Celine’s POV

I walked out of the hospital and found Max waiting on his bike. I sighed as I walked to him. His eyes lit up as soon as he saw me.

“Celine,” he called, rushing over. “Are you alright?”

I forced a smile. “I’m fine.”

Max pulled me into a hug. I stayed still and let him.

Of course, I wasn’t fine. How could I be? Dave was here, in Atlantic City. It felt like a dream. I thought I was never going to see him again.

My mind went back to his words about Max. ‘Break up with him.’ I slowly pulled out of the embrace and stared at Max.

He’s a kind guy. I don’t want him to get into trouble because of me.

“Who was that old man?” he asked, his voice upset but curious.

I gulped, not sure how to explain this to him. For two years, I’ve built a new life, one that Dave Montessori wasn’t in the picture. Revealing our relationship might not be a good idea.

“He’s… no one. Just a delusional old man,” I blurted before I could stop myself.

Max stared. He doesn’t seem to believe me.

I took his hand, not wanting to dwell on it. “Let’s go,” I said, and although he hesitated, he nodded.

We were about to get on the bike when Dave’s angry voice stopped us from behind. He was standing a distance away, his eyes glaring daggers at Max.

My eyes widened as I quickly stepped in front of him, to protect him from Dave, afraid he might shoot him down.

“Don’t you dare get on that bike,” he growled.

In a second, he was standing right in front of us. My hands clenched onto Max as I glared at him.

“I think I was clear before. I’m not…” I was saying when Dave suddenly lifted me up from the ground, throwing me onto his shoulder.

A sharp gasp escaped me as I felt astounded by his abrupt action. I hit him instantly, yelling.

“Put me down!”

He ignored my tantrum and turned to Max. “Stay away from her,” he warned.

I could imagine the scary look on his face as Max cowered instantly and moved back. I thought he was tough, but anyone would feel intimidated by Dave Montessori.

He always had that dark aura.

Dave turned and carried me to the car. I tried to struggle again as he put me down and grabbed his arm, biting deep as he tried to put the seatbelt around me.

He turned to Jeff, who had just appeared. “You know what to do.”

My heart jumped at those words. That could mean anything, but definitely not something good.

I quickly tried to unbuckle the belt, but he shut the door.

“Jerk, don’t touch him!” I yelled.

The car jerked forward before I could do anything else.

“Dave!”

I grabbed the door handle, my heart pounding violently against my ribs.

Through the window, I caught one last glimpse of Max standing beside his bike, frozen as Jeff approached him.

“Dave, stop the car!” I screamed. “Where are you taking me?”

He didn’t answer.

His hands remained firmly on the steering wheel, his jaw clenched so tightly that I could see the muscles twitching.

“Are you going to hurt Max?”

He said nothing.

“Dave!” Panic clawed at my chest.

I turned toward him, glaring at his side profile.

“If you touch him, I swear…”

“You swear what?” His voice was low, dangerously calm.

I swallowed. “You don’t get to threaten him because you’re angry at me.”

His fingers tightened around the steering wheel. “I warned you.”

“I don’t care!” My voice cracked with frustration. “He has done nothing to you!”

Dave finally glanced at me. The look in his eyes made my words die in my throat.

There was anger there, but beneath it was something else, something I couldn’t understand.

He looked away again and continued driving.

I crossed my arms stubbornly, refusing to say another word. But the farther we drove, the more uneasy I became.

I had no idea where he was taking me.

After what felt like forever, the car finally slowed and turned into a large private property.

I stared through the window. It seemed to be one of his houses in Atlantic City.

The moment the car stopped, I reached for the door. Before I could open it, Dave was already outside.

He walked around the car and opened my door.

“Get out.”

I stared at him. “No.”

His eyebrows pulled together. “Celine.”

“I said no.”

I tried to move farther into the seat, but he reached for my hand and pulled me out of the car.

“Dave!” I struggled against him. “Let me go!”

He didn’t release me but threw me over his shoulder and took me inside the house. He kicked the door closed with his foot and let me down in the living room.

I pushed the hair that had blinded my sight angrily and turned to him, ready to lash out.

Dave walked toward me, and I instinctively stepped backward. I reached out my hand to stop him, my legs touched the chair.

“You…” I tried to say but paused when he continued to move closer.

There was barely any space left between us, and when I took another step back again, I fell with a low yelp onto the sofa. Dave’s hand immediately moved behind my head, shielding it from the wooden backrest, and he eased me down.

I flinched.

The gentleness of the gesture caught me completely off guard. I stared up at him, and he lowered himself down again, his eyes searching mine.

“Do you really think I’m going to hurt him?” His voice came quietly.

My lips parted. I couldn’t answer. His gaze remained fixed on mine.

His expression tightened.

“Everyone else can look at me and see a monster.” He swallowed, his voice becoming rougher. “But not you.”

My chest tightened. The words struck me hard, and guilt slowly settled over me. I lost myself in the moment of getting back at him. I just didn’t want to give in to him.

“I didn’t mean…” I lowered my gaze as my voice faded.

Dave’s hand slowly fell from behind my head and gripped my chin gently. I looked up again and met his eyes. My body tensed up as silence fell between us.

My lips fell open slightly as I tried to maintain a calm composure, but in that moment, his eyes flickered down to my lips.

I could hear my own heartbeat, beating a little too fast.

My throat felt dry, and I pressed my lips together nervously.