Promises (25 page)

“
I have an idea,” I whispered to answer his question and pressed my hands to my face.

The leather seat crackled, and Colt unbuckled my seatbelt, lifting me into his lap. His bulky arms wrapped around me, and I crumbled into his shoulder. He began rubbing my back as he pressed a warm kiss to my forehead.

“
You don’t have to do this, sweetheart. You don’t have to be alone. You can stay with us. I’m sure we can work things out—I can make it better.”

“
I can’t,” I whispered. “I need this time alone—I’ve got to sort things out.”

“
I don’t want to let go.”

“
You have to. I have to.”

There was nothing more to say, and he knew it. My mind was made up. As heartbreaking as it was, there was no turning back now. Not after the ground I’d gained and things I’d done. I had one path, and this was it.

“
I love you, Cheyenne. Don’t you ever forget that.” He kissed my head.

I squeezed his bicep. “You’ll never let me forget, Colt.”

I returned to my seat and watched the scenery pass as we headed back. Callon, Maes and Daniel were waiting by the truck. Callon still refused to make eye contact with me, and Daniel pulled me into a hug before I was able to get near Callon.

“
I’m gonna miss you, Chey,” he mumbled near my ear. “Are you sure this is what you want to do?”

Once again, my tears were brimming near the surface. “I have to, Daniel,” I whispered. “I’m sorry I used you.” He was another person I’d have to beg forgiveness from. What a mess I’d made.

“
I forgive you.”

“
I really don’t deserve you.”

“
You don’t.” He squeezed tighter. “And I don’t deserve you either.”

Daniel drew back, and the comfort I’d felt for too brief of a time disappeared. A hollow emptiness hung around my neck.

I turned towards Maes. He didn’t say a word as his jade-rimmed eyes met mine. It was as if he was trying to read my mind, probe my thoughts. I looked away and stepped towards Callon.

I reached out and attempted to touch Callon’s hand, but he shoved it into his pocket as his cold, hard gaze locked onto mine.

“
Callon.”

“
You’ve said enough, Cheyenne. You needn’t worry about any
untruth.
” He straightened and stepped away.

My heart felt like it was going to burst. He wasn’t going to let me apologize.

“
Callon, please.”

“
I have nothing else to say to you,” he growled. “Colt, Daniel, let’s go.”

Opening the truck door, Callon climbed in, and my throat tightened. Colt’s fingers brushed my hand and lifted them to his lips, placing a soft kiss on my knuckles.

“
If you want to talk, I’m always here.”

I nodded, struggling to hold back the tears. The truck doors slammed and the engine revved as Callon backed out of the drive. Without a glance back, Callon departed as I stood shaking.

A choked sob left my lips, and I darted for the cabin, leaving the front door open. I’d wanted freedom…instead I’d trapped myself in a new prison, one of my own making.

Why hadn’t I just kept my mouth shut?

Maes’s footsteps echoed in the great room. I sat on the couch, my fingers latching onto the new phone. I inhaled a shaky breath. What was I going to do now? I flipped open the phone, and my chest tightened. There was a picture of the three of them as wallpaper. I snapped it shut and dropped it on the coffee table. Maes was hovering in the kitchen.

“
Did you have fun, Cheyenne?” His cold words raked over my already weary heart.

“
You think this was for fun, Maes?” I replied with just as much warmth.

“
Is this how you treat your friends?” He moved closer.

My breath caught. I should’ve known he’d say something too. I never knew if he was my friend or foe.

“
I know what took place with you and Callon. We heard you screaming at him. The whole resort did.”

I lowered my head.

“
I didn’t know.”

“
You know you won’t be staying here long?”

I looked up into green-rimmed eyes, eyes that held such cockiness I wanted to slap it out of him.

I turned away. There it was again—the urge to hurt someone because I was mad. I took deep breaths and regained my composure.

“
Callon said he wouldn’t come unless I called.”

“
You really think he’ll keep that promise? Hasn’t he already lied to you repeatedly as it is?”

“
He said…”

“
That’s just what he wants you to believe,” Maes cut me off. “Why would he leave you alone? You’re the missing heir. Callon needs you, and he needs you as his weapon. He won’t be going far. He’ll be watching you.” He plopped down into the chair and tossed his legs onto the coffee table, jarring the phone to the floor. “Besides, there’s a tracking device in your backpack. I watched Callon sew it into the seam myself.”

My eyes widened. That’s how they found me so easily! But what was Maes saying? My head was spinning with so many emotions, regrets, and uncertainties. I was a weapon? Is that how Callon thought of me? I didn’t even have any proper powers…yet.

I bent to pick up my phone when I caught sight of a dark object sitting in the corner. My guitar case. Colt must have brought it for me. I headed straight for it, ignoring Maes, and brought it back to the coffee table. I set it down, shoving Maes’s feet off in the process. I unlatched the case and found a note inside.

Cheyenne,

I thought you might enjoy having your guitar around; it seems to help you reflect. When you play, think of me, as I know I will be thinking of you.

With all my love, Callon.

I couldn’t have felt any lower than I did at that moment. It wasn’t Colt who had sent the guitar; it was him. The one I’d accused of being selfish…

I had to get out of here. If I didn’t, I’d be a sobbing mess, and I didn’t want Maes to see me like that. It would only give him more ammunition to torment me later.

Heading for the door, I grabbed my pack—knowing the tracking device was inside it—and the spare keys to my car. Maybe a drink from the coffee shop would help me, and being away from Maes would be even better.

The leather from the chair crackled, as Maes stood and followed me to the garage. I opened my car door when an enormous hand pushed it shut. Looking up at his towering figure, the hair on the back of my neck rose.

“
Do you mind?” I asked with as much restraint I could muster.

“
Where are you going that you need your car?” His hand remained in place.

“
Aren’t you supposed to be out of sight?” I snapped.

“
Never said that.”

“
I assumed you would be.”

“
You assumed wrong.”

My fists balled, and I clenched my teeth. He was pushing me too far. Why couldn’t he just leave me alone? If my eyes could have shot darts, he would’ve been mortally wounded.

“
You didn’t answer my questions, Cheyenne,” he said more forcibly. “Where are you going?”

“
What’s it to you? Use the tracking device, Maes!” I barely managed to spit out.

“
They track you with devices. I don’t. I said I’d protect you, and that means I need to know where you are, just in case.”

I rolled my eyes, wanting to punch him. “Why don’t you just follow me? You’re going to anyway.”

“
I could, but this is more entertaining,” he purred.

I huffed and answered, “I’m going to the coffee shop. Now get out of my way!”

“
That wasn’t so hard now, was it?” He stepped aside, and his smirk grew larger as I opened the door and climbed in.

“
You shouldn’t let your passions rule you, Cheyenne.”

“
What do you know, Maes? You’re about as passionless as a toad.”

I slammed the door closed before he had time to reply and adjusted the seat and mirror. Maes remained in the garage as I drove away, and I closed the garage door on him, feeling smug.

The coffee shop was closer than I’d realized. In the future I’d be able to walk or run. I ordered a large iced tea and found a secluded table outside near the lake. The pine trees provided shade, and the wind occasionally blew a stray hair across my face as I watched the ripples on the water.

Twisting my Servak ring, I fought to make sense of what took place earlier. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this. I was supposed to feel liberated, but instead I was overwhelmed with grief over what I’d said to Callon
. I was better off dead than living with him
…how cruel I’d been. My words had exploded without thought and could never be taken back.

Eventually I pulled the journal from my pack. I opened it and found the picture of my birth mom, Sahara. The edges were tattered; a crease ran down the center from the fold. I unfolded it and pressed it flat, studying it.

She was beautiful, her eyes the same greyish blue as mine, waves from her hair flowed down in cascades to her middle back. The coloring was stunning, a mixture of browns and mahogany. Her skin was fair, porcelain. Lilly told me I got my coloring from my birth father, Qaysean: blond hair, tanned skin. I ran my finger delicately over Sahara’s face. I so longed to know her—to know them. To know their thoughts, what the truth really was. I wanted someone to turn to when I was scared, someone who would never turn me away—I wanted their love—to feel it firsthand.

What would my mom have said to me at this moment? Would she have told me I’d been foolish and stupid, or would she have comforted me and told me everything would be all right? Would my parents have encouraged me to trust Callon, or would they have thought Colt was the better choice? Would my father have told me I could be with Colt? Could he have changed whom I was betrothed to?

It was so unfair that everything had been taken from me. I didn’t even have Alexis to run to. I had no one to turn to when I needed advise and direction the most. I was surrounded, and yet I was completely and utterly alone.

I had no idea who to believe. Everyone supposedly wanted to help me, but no one would tell me the whole truth. I was so tired of the bits and pieces; I was weary of finding out after the fact.

Was this the way it was for my mom? Was she constantly in the dark? Maes said he knew her, but I’d purposely avoided asking him questions. I wasn’t sure yet if I wanted to know about her. Was it better for me to think she was a great woman like Lilly said she was? Why didn’t she fulfill her obligation to Marcus? Why did she leave it to be passed down to me? Would she really have wanted this burden on my shoulder? But then again she didn’t know at the time she’d have a daughter… Would Maes tell me the truth?

A low voice drew my attention, “May I sit?”

A chill ran down my spine, and the hair on my neck stood on end. Turning around, I already knew who it was.

Matt.

What was
he
doing here?

“
Um, sure.” I was at a loss for words. His eyes met mine, the same steel grey I remembered. He probed deeper. It was almost if he could see through me. He pulled out the chair and sat uncomfortably close, placing his drink on the small table.

Did he follow me?

“
I have to admit I’m a little surprised to see you here, Cheyenne.” He leaned back in his chair.

He was surprised?

“
Likewise.” I shifted in my seat, inching further away. The chair squeaked.

“
Are you okay?” He stared at the picture of my mom.

I folded it up and stuck it in my pack. “I’m fine.”

He tilted his head slightly. “Are you sure? You seem really upset about something. Anything I can help with?”

“
I’m fine,” I repeated and decided to change the topic. “Are you here for a reason, Matt?” It was a bit blunt, but I was in no mood for mind games.

His black brows rose. “Okay, I guess I’ll get right to the point then. I’m on vacation.”

My fingers drifted over Colt’s bracelet.
He was on vacation.
“How long?”

“
Don’t know yet, maybe a few weeks. I don’t have any real commitments at the moment and hope to be tying up loose ends in the next couple of months.”

“
Lose ends?”

“
Work.” He leaned forward, gripping his cup. As his knuckles touched my tea, condensation dripped down my glass.

“
But you just said vacation.” I lifted a brow.

“
A little of both,” he smiled. “What about you?”

“
Undecided.” He didn’t need anything more than just the basic information.

“
Wise answer, considering you’re a very beautiful young woman who seems to be completely alone.” A devilish grin appeared as he took a sip.

I looked away.

“
So I take it you made it away from your
friends
?” he questioned.

“
Yes and no.” I moved my ice tea further away as I took a small swig, placing the glass directly in front of me.

He took another drink from his cup and kept his attention focused on me.