Love Renewed (Entwined Hearts #3) (21 page)

I stare at the screen annoyed, and trying to convince myself not to throw my cell or to call Davy and chew him out.

Me:
Can’t you bring the items into work?

Davy:
No. You weren’t there today and I don’t want our relationship to be the talk of the company.

I sigh and give in.

Me:
Firstly, we don’t have a relationship anymore. Secondly, I’m sure they have better things to talk about. But in answer, yes okay, I’ll come over. When?

Davy:
Tonight.

Me:
But it’s already after seven at night.

Davy:
So come over at nine. That should give you a chance to wrap up whatever you’re doing.

Ugh, that fucking man!

Me:
Fine. I’ll be there at nine.

Davy.
Good. See you then.

I throw my phone back on my bed and go to storm out before I remember there’s another text. Grabbing the cell again and opening the messages my heart flutters when I see it’s from Dane.

Dane:
Nova. This isn’t the end. We will never have an end. I’m coming back to get you. This time, if you’re gone, I will find you. Even if I have to tear the world apart to do it. You’re mine. You will always be mine. I’m yours forever. I’m your happily ever after baby. I’ll make fucking sure of it.

Slowly I sink onto the bed. I’m so confused. I love him. I need to tell him that. We need to talk, but honestly, I can’t see a future where I’m not with him. I’ve lived that future, albeit in my past, and remember how it felt without him. I remember the pain, the upset, confusion and absolute devastation that my life was without him. I bought that ticket all those years ago to escape my life. To find him.

I call Dane and it goes on to answerphone. He doesn’t have an answerphone message and it feels like fucking forever to get to the beep while the snooty woman reels off the phone number.

“Dane…I…I don’t know what to say. I guess, I need to talk to you. We need to talk. Yes. That’s what’s needed.” I stop speaking, trying to work out what to say next. Then realising that the message is going to run out soon, so I quickly continue, “Dane…Dane…I need you to know. I have to tell you. I love you. I do. I hate telling you on a message, but you have to know. I remember us, I remember you, and I remember our love. Always.” The message chimes in asking if I want to re-record. Quickly, I cut the call before I’m tempted to erase what I’ve said. Releasing a breath I didn’t know I was holding, my eyes dart around the room.

I need to pack a bag, book tickets to London.

Shit, I need to call work and ask for more personal time off.

“Fuck! I need to go to Davy’s soon. Shit,” cursing out loud, having forgotten what I’d agreed to do only ten minutes before. “First things first,” I mumble walking back to the laptop. Accessing flights, I manage to find one from JFK to Heathrow for the next morning at eleven AM. With checking in an hour before, then getting to Heathrow and travelling to Pea’s house, it’s going to be about ten hours. I groan internally, I hate flying, I’m not scared, it’s just so boring, and my time could be used so much better.

Like fucking Dane.

I chuckle at my thoughts. With my decision made and the tickets booked I feel another weight lift.

Getting out of the cab after paying the driver, I look up at Davy’s building. This place used to make me feel inadequate. He so rarely invited me here, that when he did I felt special, worthy. I know now that he just liked to keep me at arm’s length. Strangely, I don’t feel like he did that because he was screwing Mel. It feels like there was a deeper reason. But I don’t give a shit. He’s not my problem anymore. I breathe out and close my eyes. In just a few hours, I’ll be waking up and getting ready to go prove to Dane that I love him.

When I called Pea, she was over the moon at the prospect of me staying at her house. Although she thinks that I won’t be there for long. She’s not even sure I’ll be staying there the night I arrive. Pea’s so sure that Dane will have me with him the minute I touch down in the UK. My work wasn’t too happy about the extended leave, and I hope I haven’t burnt my bridges with them. I’m aware that the more time off I have, the bigger chance there is that Mel could be spinning them a tale. Maybe even Davy, although that’s not his style. I need that job, though, and it does worry me that my actions might see me looking for somewhere else to work. I could ultimately lose my job, my boyfriend…yeah, I guess that’s what Dane is…was…and if I lose my job I could lose my apartment. There’s no doubt that I am risking my life as I know it. But he’s worth it. He just is.

“Libby.” Davy smiles as he opens the door, waving his arm to usher me inside.

“Davy. Err…I was kind of hoping you would just give me my stuff and that would be it,” I say standing awkwardly just inside his door.

“Libby, I thought we could have a wine or two, you know for old time’s sake.”

“As nice as that offer may be, we didn’t really have
old times
, we had six months. It wasn’t a great six months either, we spent a relatively small amount of time together during our
relationship
, and we didn’t part on good terms seeing as you were shagging my supposed backstabbing best friend.” His eyes narrow at my words, his jaw stiffening.

“Shagging. So British and common. My God woman, what has gotten into you?”

“Dane,” I answer simply.

“Dane? You have another man already?” He cocks one eyebrow and looks down his nose at me.

“Don’t pretend like Mel hasn’t told you that he came into the offices. She noticed. Believe me, she noticed. But yes, I have another man and he got into me.” I cross my arms smirking.

“You really are a piece of trash, and here I was thinking about giving us another go.”

“What? I can’t even…what? Are you freaking kidding me?
You
give
me
another chance? I wouldn’t get back together with you if you were smothered in ice-cream and had a chocolate cock. And trust me that’s the only way I’d even be tempted.”

“Mel was right. I’ll just stick with her, at least she knows how to treat me and how to behave.”

Snorting at his comment I shake my head at him. “You deserve Mel because she’s a bitch and you Davy…you’re wet and a dick and furthermore, sex with you was boring.”

It's right then, right at that moment I see Davy’s true colours as his fist suddenly comes out and hits me straight in the nose. His eyes are like saucers as he steps back realising what he’s done. Little does he know I’ve had far worse over the years. My eyes water like a bitch, but thankfully I don’t think my nose is broken. Touching my hand to my nostrils I notice a trickle of blood on my fingertips.

“Libby, I’m sorry, so sorry,” he stammers reaching out to me.

“Don’t touch me! Don’t you fucking touch me,” I hiss at him. “You know I could probably kick your ass. Boxing has taught me a few things. But you’re not worth it. I’m just glad I’m free of you.” I turn making my way to leave, but stop and throw over my shoulder. “If I really do have anything here then keep it, or chuck it, I don’t care. Anything that I may have here would be tainted by you now anyway.”

When I get outside of the building, I search inside my bag for a tissue to dab the blood away that is slowly trickling out my nose. “Fucker,” I curse again.

Dane has definitely brought the bad side of me out but in all the best ways. I smile at that thought and then realise that even when my day is shit—even when I get smacked in the face—just the thought of Dane can fill me with warmth and make me smile.

The minute I get into the taxi at Heathrow and switch my phone on it starts buzzing, alerting me to messages. I look through the texts I have first.

Tink:
It will be okay. I love you. I’ll see you soon.

Saul:
If you need me brother, Soph and I will be on a plane. Say the word.

Pea:
It’s going to be okay. I spoke to Libby. Call me when you get back.

I groan at Pea’s text. I wish she would leave things alone. I know she’s trying to help, but I have my own way of doing things. I need to give Nova time. Plus, I have things I need to take care of here. She’s safer in New York at the moment. When the time is right, I’ll go get her. That’s why I sent her a parting text. I needed her to know that I hadn’t given up. That I’ll never fucking give up on her. My phone buzzes again and alerts me to a voicemail
from
Nova
.

“Dane…I…I don’t know what to say. I guess I need to talk to you. We need to talk. Yes. That’s what’s needed.”
There’s a silence that makes me think she’s not going to say anything else then her voice fills me again.
“Dane…Dane…I need you to know. I have to tell you. I love you. I do. I hate telling you on a message, but you have to know. I remember us, I remember you and I remember our love. Always.”

I can’t help but smile. I play back the message like a hormonal teen. And again I smile. I listen to her say she loves me over and over until I finally save the message and relax. It’s the first time I’ve felt some comfort since before I arrived at her apartment that night, knowing I was going to expose our past, and that might mean I wouldn’t have her future…our future.

Right on cue my burner phone rings.

“Yes,” I answer.

“D, this is Tedric. Can’t stop. I’m going under. The whole operation has been compromised from the inside.”

“I know,” I tell him even though I’m still not sure what exactly is happening.

“Don’t believe anyone. Don’t trust anyone,” he whispers.

“Never do.”

“D, Jenson is being set up, they’re trying to take down everyone associated with him. Advice? Go under, like me. Go black, and let things play out. Then come back and deal.”

“Can’t do that Tedric. Jenson wouldn’t do that to me,” I tell him.

“Got it. Thought you’d say that, but I wanted to warn you.”

“Appreciate it,” I say and then he cuts the line.