Page 156 of Deacon

Each harsh word felt like a physical blow, lancing me with pure agony as his hostility struck home.

‘You and I are now on ice. Christine can oversee handovers with Raff from now on,’ he added, pulling the strap of his bag over his shoulder. ‘I’m not even sure I ever want to see you again.’

He shoved past me toward the exit.

‘Deacon, please, listen to me,’ I pleaded in a torn whisper.

It was as if he couldn’t hear me.

He raised a dismissive hand, pushing me aside with pain simmering alongside the rage in his eyes.

He strode out, the door slamming shut and leaving me alone in the quiet suite.

I bent over, hyperventilating, almost going into a panic attack as the oxygen refused to enter my lungs.

Straightening up, I dashed to the corridor, but it was empty. He was long gone.

Racing to my bag, I scrabbled for my phone and tried to call him.

I rang him once, twice, three times, but each time it went to voicemail.

With a gasp, I sank to the floor and stayed there for a long time, disbelieving, no tears, broken.

Had I forever lost the only husband who ever loved me because of Max?

I lay curled up tight, eyes unseeing, staring into the grain of the floorboards as all hope for our shared future turned to dust.

Two hours later, I picked myself up from the carpet, booked a hire car, packed my lenses and clothes, secured a dawn flight, and fled back to Nashville.

At the airport, I sent Deacon a text:

Ana: Deacon, what happened was unfortunate, and I am so sorry it caused you so much pain regardless. Can we please talk about it sometime soon? I’ll give you the space you need to consider your response. I adore you, Deacon, I always have, and I’ve been looking forward to our future together. Honey, don’t let it end this way. Yours, always and forever, Ana.

For many minutes, I kept checking my phone, but the message remained unread.

I never got a call back either.

My mind remained churning; my soul fracturing as my chest contracted with so much pain I could not even cry all the way to Nashville.

Chapter 31

DEACON

After I checked out of The Gwen, I climbed into the first waiting cab outside.

‘Just drive, please,’ I muttered to the driver. ‘I’ll pay you to take me around Chicago and let you know a destination soon.’

The turbaned cabby shot me a concerned look, but I ignored him as my head fell back onto the seat.

Emotions churned inside me as the ride pulled away.

We slid into traffic as the vehicle drove all over the city.

I wanted to board a plane for the farthest reaches of the earth, but that would still feel too close to Ana.

I was also still bound by my Six Sinners contract to remain on tour.

My phone rang once, then twice, with Ana’s ID flashing on the screen.