Tears are streaming violently down her face. Her expression reeks of fear. I need her to hurt, enough to make her leave. To get back in her parents’ perfect Mercedes and drive all the way back to Newport. She’ll cry, hate me, swear off Wickett forever, and move on with her life. Without me, but safe.

“Now, get the fuck out while I figure out what the hell I’m going to do.”

I don’t expect the slap, but I should. I know Sierra enough now to realize that she doesn’t take shit from anybody, least of all from some scumbag like me.

Her hand stings against my cheek, and it really does hurt. And I’m glad it hurts. I want it to hurt. I wish she could carve my heart out of my chest.

“You’re a fucking coward,” she bites, standing up to me like she could take me.

Then, she spins on her heels and runs out the front door with nothing but her purse and jacket in her hands.

I stand in my studio apartment without moving for at least five full minutes. The only sound is the blood dripping from my busted hand onto the cheap floor. Then I realize that I was supposed to meet Hale fifteen minutes ago, and no matter what happened with Sierra, I need this dickhead off my back. If I don’t show at all, he’s more likely to go after her, and he knows enough about her family and parents to find her.

So I reach for the folded envelope with the cash from the bike. I left it on the table by the door this morning so I wouldn’t forget it when it’s time to go. But the table by the door is empty as fuck. After a rushed search of my apartment, I let my mind accept what I already know to be true. Sierra took the cash.

19

Sierra

I sit in the diner bathroom for at least fifteen minutes before I’m able to come out without tears streaming down my face. I know what Logan is doing. It’s obvious. He’s trying to keep me safe and is pushing me away. I’m mostly just upset that he wouldn’t trust me. He should have known that I wouldn’t leave him and he doesn’t have to leave me. We’re in this together.

He lashed out to break my heart and drive me away, and honestly, I’m still fuming about it. But first, I need to take care of this Hale situation. He’s been blowing up my phone for almost an hour. I answer him back: on my way.

If I didn’t take the money, then Logan would have gone, and if he went to the drop-off, then the whole thing would be ruined. Right now, my only goal is to get him free of Hale’s hold, and then we can focus on us.

We agreed to meet at the gazebo. It’s quiet. Most vacationers are leaving today, and it’s overcast and chillier than normal anyway. So when I walk up to the center of the giant round structure, it’s just me, and once I make out his form, Hale. He’s looking impatient as he scrolls through his phone.