She was sweet for saying that, but I already knew that she wouldn’t be able to help me. No one could. All I could hope was that she would be able to help herself. I had brought danger to her doorstep, and I hated that. Sy had been so nice to me.
Taking a deep breath, I opened my mouth and told her everything. Every detail I knew. And the entire time, Sy’s eyes became wider and wider.
“So there you are,” I said finally. My shoulders slumped in defeat. I had thought it might make me feel lighter telling someone my secret, but it still weighed me down. And God, it was heavy.
“Well,” Sy’s voice was as heavy as I felt. “That settles it. The deliveries were for you then, and we don’t have a run-of-the-mill stalker.” She tried to lighten her voice and failed. “This is a really shitty situation, isn’t it?”
I couldn’t help it. I laughed. “Welcome to my life. But I am sorry I dragged you into this. I didn’t mean to. I think Ghost wanted me gone within a day or two, but with his illness, it just didn’t happen. But I’m not going to stay. I can stay with Pocket until I can move and—”
“Have you told him all of this?”
I shook my head.
“You probably should. I’m sure he will understand and—”
A knock sounded on the door. A hard rap of knuckles on wood and Duke's voice called out from the other side.
Crossing the room, Sy flung open the door and froze.
“Ghost.” Rushing past her, I threw my arms around the older man before pressing my lips to his cheek. “You should be in bed resting.”
I didn’t want to say he looked a mess, but he did. He looked weaker than he had done before.
“I need to…” He coughed, and it was the most awful wet sound I had ever heard. “These are two of my friends.” Shaking, he stepped back, and I came face to face with a couple. Both of them were beautiful. The man, tall and dark-haired, and the woman, with curly blonde hair and curves, were officially the most stunning couple I had ever seen. And power poured from them. Whoever they were, they were powerful.
“This is Gio and his wife, Keeley.” Ghost said.
I tried to smile, but it froze on my face. Neither of them were looking at me. They were staring at Sy and she was staring at them right back, like she had seen a ghost.
One look and it was clear that they already knew each other.
“Syl—“ the girl began to say but was interrupted when Sy moved forward with her arm outstretched. “Hi, I’m Sy. It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”
The woman — Keeley — looked taken aback for a second and then shook herself. Tucking her arm into the crook of her husband’s, she nodded.
“You as well,” she said, a confused look on her face passing swiftly when she turned her attention to me. “Shall we go somewhere to talk things over?” she asked, and I nodded. I didn’t know what these two beautiful people could do to help me, but I was curious to find out.
Just like I was curious to find out how they knew Sy and why they were pretending they didn’t.
Chapter Sixteen
Everyone took a seat in Sy’s small but tastefully decorated living room. Everyone but Sy who disappeared, murmuring something about needing to go out. I didn’t believe that for a second. Something about the newcomers had freaked her out, but I couldn’t tell what. To me, they looked nice.
“I’m sorry to hear you have been going through some trouble, Chloe. Ghost has told us what is happening and we are sure we can help.” Reaching across the coffee table, Keeley took my hand.
I smiled at her. She wasn’t just nice; she was lovely. Open and friendly.
“Thank you.” I muttered and glanced at Ghost who was sitting back with his eyes closed. Every muscle in his body was tense, like he was in a world of pain. Which, of course, he was.
Tearing my eyes away from him, I looked back at the couple. They couldn’t be that old, but they felt so sure of themselves.
“I appreciate it, but I don’t understand how you can help me. The people who are after me are dangerous.”
A small smile spread across Keeley's face, and she glanced at her husband. Reaching across, he took her hand and kissed the back of it. They gazed at each other like everyone else had disappeared and it was just the two of them left in the entire universe.
“Gio is head of The Family,” Ghost said in a hushed whisper. “Believe me, you will be safe if he says you will be safe. The Family is a pain in my ass, but they are the only ones I trust with your safety now.”
“The Family?” I whispered. I couldn't help it — I stared at them with my mouth open. I had led a sheltered life, but even I had heard of them. It wasn’t long ago that one of their assassins had been in the papers for murder. A charge that didn’t stick. The men in The Family were dangerous.