He looks into my eyes and takes a step closer to me. I tense when he cups my cheeks and sighs, his thumbs swiping at my tears. “Get rid of you, huh? Your mind really is quite peculiar. I wonder how you came to that conclusion, little overthinker.” He runs a hand through his hand and sighs. “Come with me,” Silas says, his voice soft yet firm. He grabs my hand and pulls me along before I can protest.
“Where are we going?” I ask when he leads me to the elevator. I’m scared he’s personally escorting me out of the building, and I don’t know how to convince him to let me stay.
He tightens his grip on my hand and pulls me into the parking garage. Before I realize what’s going on, he’s holding the door to his bright red Ferrari open for me. I stare at him in confusion, and he tilts his head toward the door. “Get in,” he orders.
I don’t dare object and cautiously get into the car, scared of dirtying his seats somehow. I’ve already destroyed one of his cars. He won’t let me off if I damage another.
Silas gets in beside me and leans over me as he reaches for my seatbelt, his face inches from mine. I inhale sharply when my eyes meet his. He smiles, and I look away as he fastens my seatbelt for me. He doesn’t seem angry, and the tenderness in his gaze takes the edge off my anxiety.
“Where are you taking me?” I whisper, my heart uneasy. Something about today’s situation makes me feel restless. It’s almost like being thrown out of my studio flat rubbed salt into wounds I didn’t know existed. I feel heartbroken, and it’s about more than just being evicted. It’s got something to do with my lost memories, but I can’t figure out how or why. Have I been in this situation before?
“I’m taking you home, baby,” Silas says as he starts the car.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Silas
My heart races as I hold the passenger door open for Alanna. What would have happened if I hadn’t been at the office tonight? Where would she have gone? Thoughts of her with Ryan assault me, and my stomach churns. Would she have gone back to him?
“Silas,” she whispers, a hint of fear in her voice. It kills me to see so much insecurity in her eyes and no acknowledgement of everything we used to be. She has no idea what she means to me.
“I have a spare bedroom,” I murmur, my heart heavy. “Since you’re shadowing me at me work, I prefer for you to be on call 24/7. Josh stayed in that room more nights than I can count, and so will you.”
She stares at me as though she doesn’t believe me, and I can hardly blame her. Josh was my mentee for nearly two years, but in that time, he only stayed here a handful of times. It was only ever when we were swamped with highly confidential work that he’d stay the night.
“Josh stayed here too?”
I nod and walk away before she can question me further. Alanna has always had an uncanny ability to see straight through my lies. She might not remember me, but I have no doubt that deep down, her heart still beats with mine.
I lead her through the house and pause in front of the guest room, holding the door open for her. It’s a nice room, done up in neutral colors, yet filled with the same luxury that surrounds the rest of this place. This home is my sanctuary, and that extends to this guest room. It’s another room that’s a fulfilled fantasy she can’t even remember. She doesn’t know it, but she designed this room, back when all we had was a handful of dreams.
Her gaze wanders over the interior, her discomfort apparent in the way she wraps her arms around herself. I’d give the world to take her in my arms right now and hold her until she’s feeling better.
“Alanna, you haven’t even received your first paycheck yet, so you won’t be able to put a deposit down, even if you find a place. I doubt you can afford a hotel, and I’m not so heartless that I’ll have you stay somewhere unsafe. If you’re worried about what people might say, then I’m happy to keep you staying here a secret. Will that make you feel better? It’s not like Josh and I informed anyone whenever he’d stay over.”
She stares at me, her expression unreadable. “I want to say no, Silas… but I have nowhere else to go. Would you let me stay here until I find somewhere to live? In the meantime, I can pay you rent, and I can help with chores, too.”
I smile at her even though my heart is aching. What would she say if I told her I designed this place with her in mind? This penthouse is everything we’ve ever wanted, our every dream and fantasy come true. This is exactly where she’s supposed to be.