"But it did," I whisper. "Alec told the cops it was a done deal." My eyes flick across to Alec.
I see Luc stop. Like something occurred to him. I look around and then guys do the same.
Dominic turns to Alec. "What did you do?"
Alec sighs and gets up. "My father did me a favour. Now I owe him one."
You could hear a pin drop in here.
"You said James didn't want anything," Dominic’s says. An uncomfortable silence fills the room.
"He doesn't—yet." Alec stares out the bedroom window.
"What? What does that mean?" I look around at everyone's faces.
Alec doesn't say anything.
Maverick sighs. "It means one day James will come calling."
"We'll deal with it when it comes to it." Alec turns around, his hands in his pockets.
I catch a glimpse of the person I saw earlier but the second we make eye contact he's gone.
And the spotlight shifts and everyone's eyes fall on me. I shift the ice pack on my bare skin. I pull my shirt over it when Maverick's eyes don't stray my ribs.
Mason puts his hand on my knee. "Are you still mad at us?" He asks, shooting me the puppy eyes.
"I'm not mad," I sigh, "I'm…disappointed. And I'm scared."
Mason takes his hand off my leg and puts it around my shoulders.
"Of what?" Maverick asks like he knows the answer.
"Everything!" I raise my voice. Alec flinches and Dominic puts a hand on his shoulder.
I take a deep breath. "I'm sorry," I murmur to Alec. He lifts his head and nods.
It grows silent. I speak up again. "Look, I'm grateful for everything you guys have done for me." Luc opens his mouth but I shake my head.
"No. I-I need to say this." I finally meet his eyes. "You got me away from him and I'm so thankful." I look between everyone's eyes. "I will never forget it but no matter how much I like being here with you guys…I can't stay."
The guys yell, everyone speaking over the top of each other. I feel panic start to rise up in me. Alec's silently staring at me, the pain in his eyes reflecting mine.
"You can't leave because of me."
My eyes snap up to Jace's as he stands in the middle of the doorway. The silent is deafening.
Jace leans back against the wall. His grey eyes reflecting a pain I don't understand. He runs a hand through his short midnight black hair.
When we were kids, it was almost collar length. He grew it out so I could play with his hair, even encouraged Dec to do the same. He was less willing.
"You can't leave because of my mistakes," Jace says softly.
My eyes travel up him. He's wearing…a suit? Clearly, I wasn't paying enough attention earlier. It looks good on him.
"You said the only time you'd ever wear a suit was when you planned on dying," I finally say.
Mason mumbles something like 'how the hell does that work?'
