The second Nina hung up, Ryan completely lost it.
“We have to go get her!” He was already grabbing Sienna’s arm, dragging her toward his Tesla. “She can’t throw her life away because of some drama between us!”
Before Sienna could protest, he was speeding toward the run–down apartment complex where Nina lived with her sketchy family.
They pulled up just as some tweaked–out guy was trying to force Nina into a rusted–out Honda Civic.
“Get in the damn car, you ungrateful brat!” He backhanded her when she resisted. “You’re gonna marry Tommy’s cousin like we agreed, and his family’s paying us good money!”
Ryan jumped out like he was in a Marvel movie. “Let her go! She’s eighteen – you can’t force her to marry anyone!”
Nina’s stepdad – classic meth–head loser – grabbed a baseball bat from the trunk. “Mind your own business, rich boy! This little whore owes me for eighteen years of free rent!”
2 2 2 5
Ryan had never dealt with actual white trash violence before. He was frantically texting his family’s security team while trying to pull Nina to safety.
“I have to go with him!” Nina was sobbing hysterically, still trying to get in the car. “You and Sienna are fighting because of me! I’d rather just disappear forever!”
The more she played the tragic victim, the more determined Ryan became to rescue her.
“Nobody’s taking her anywhere!” The stepdad was completely unhinged now, swinging the bat at Ryan’s head.
Everything happened in slow motion – Ryan dodging the bat, the guy pulling out a switchblade, Nina screaming and shoving Sienna directly into the knife’s path to “protect” Ryan.
The blade hit her ribs before she even registered what happened.
She woke up three days later to Ryan practically living in her ICU room, looking like he hadn’t showered since the attack.
”
“Jesus, you scared me.” His voice was raw, gentle the way he used to sound when she had nightmares. “How bad is the pain? I can get them to increase your morphine.”
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Chapter $
“Where’s Nina?” The words came out barely above a whisper.
Ryan’s whole demeanor shifted instantly. “Hey, don’t blame her for what happened, okay? She was in shock and just reacted. She didn’t mean for you to get hurt.”
Classic Ryan – already making excuses. “She’s been a wreck since it happened. She’s at some church every day praying for you to recover.”
Sienna closed her eyes, feeling that familiar ache in her chest that had nothing to do with the stab
wound.
One question about Nina, and he immediately went into protective mode.
So much for “backing off.”
“Sienna…” Ryan carefully took her hand, his voice softer than it had been in months. “When you’re better, we need to talk about-”
“I’m tired.” She pulled her hand away and turned toward the wall.
Ryan camped out at the hospital for the rest of her stay, bringing her smoothies. For a few days, it almost felt like old times.
When she got discharged, he was wheeling her to the parking garage when his phone started buzzing.
“Ryan, I need help!” Nina’s voice was panicked through the speaker. “There’s some creepy guy following me around work and I don’t know what to do!”
Ryan stopped pushing the wheelchair, torn between the girl he was with and the girl on the phone.
Tll be right there,” he finally said.
Sienna watched him practically sprint to his car, leaving her with a random nurse to call an Uber home.
Nothing had changed.
The night before her “departure” for Boston, Sienna finished packing her real suitcase – the one headed for London.
Ryan showed up at her door with coffee and that cocky grin she used to love.
“Need help with all this?” He gestured at her luggage. “I know you – you’ve probably forgotten your
Chapter 8
phone charger and half your clothes.”
He reached out to mess with her hair like he always used to. “Can’t believe we’re actually doing this – college together.”
Sienna’s chest tightened. He had no idea she wasn’t going anywhere near Massachusetts.
“Actually, my program starts later,” she lied smoothly. “You should go ahead with Nina. I know she’s freaking out about her first flight.”
Ryan looked confused. “I’m not leaving you behind. Nina can figure it out.”
“She’s never been away from home before,” Sienna pressed. “Take her sightseeing around Boston for a few days. I’ll meet you guys there.”
The relief on his face was unmistakable. “Yeah? That’s… actually really sweet of you. Okay, I’ll show
her around, get her settled in the dorms.”
Perfect.
She practically pushed him out the door, claiming he needed to get to bed early for his morning
flight.
Ryan stood on her doorstep for a moment, something nagging at him. But whatever once they were all in Boston, he’d have plenty of time to fix whatever was still weird between them.
The next morning at LAX, Sienna was dragging her suitcase toward the international terminal when she spotted them at the domestic check–in.
Ryan was adjusting Nina’s carry–on strap, his fingers brushing her hair away from her face in this gentle, protective way. Nina was gazing up at him like he’d personally hung the moon.
Sienna ducked behind a pillar just as Ryan’s head snapped in her direction.
“What’s wrong?” Nina asked.
“I thought I saw… never mind.” He shook his head. “Sienna’s not flying out until next week anyway.”
“Are you sure?” Nina’s grip tightened on his arm. “I’m already so nervous about this whole thing. I really need you to stay focused on me today.”
Ryan hesitated for exactly one second, then let Nina pull him toward their gate.
Sienna waited until they disappeared completely before walking to the British Airways counter.
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From Best Friends to Betrayal I Chose Myself
34.18
Chapter #
Two flights left LAX at almost the same time his to Boston, hers to London.
Going in totally opposite directions, just like they’d been for months.
