“I’m sorry.”
“You can make it up to me by telling me how you truly are.”
I glared across the room at the tropical fish tank with its finned creatures swimming unmolested in their perfect environment. They were free to be happy. I wasn’t. And I refused to make someone else unhappy when there was nothing they could do. “Don’t badger me, Jethro.”
Don’t be like them.
I hung my head. “I’m alive. That’s the truth. I’m not happy. That’s another truth. But what good is it to tell you what they’ve done when you can’t do anything to fix it?” My voice hardened. “Just accept that I’m okay and move on, alright?”
Silence.
My heart thundered against my ribs.
“Jethro?”
A hitch sounded in my ear. “I’m sorry. So fucking sorry.”
I melted. “I know. But it’s not your fault.”
“I’ll make them pay.”
“I know. We’ll do it together.”
“I wish I could hold you. Kiss you. My arms are empty without you.”
I felt that same emptiness—a terrible void ripping me into ribbons with its aching vastness. “I would give anything to be with you.”
Both of us fell quiet. What was there to say when we couldn’t talk about what we needed? What words could offer solace when only pain awaited?
“How long?” I finally whispered. “How much longer before I can kiss you again?”
“Too long.” Jethro sighed. “They said three weeks, but I’m almost ready. I’m not waiting that long. It’s already been too much. I refuse to leave you there another hour more than necessary.”
His passion soothed me even though I didn’t believe him.
He thought he’d be here in time.
I wished with every fibre of my being that he was right.
But there was something monstrous inside me...slurping me deeper, telling me that my time was running out. I didn’t know where the countdown beast had come from, but it was snarling louder and louder.
Jasmine was right. Cut had planned something big. Daniel knew it. Bonnie knew it.Iknew it.
My life was quickly running out.
Hurry, Jethro.
Hurry...
Before it’s too late...
Chapter Fourteen
Jethro
NINETEEN HOURS SINCE I’d spoken to Nila.
I’d waited until nightfall to message her again; I’d almost torn myself apart with impatience. The only thing that’d kept me inside the hospital and prevented me from hijacking a motorbike and hurtling toward Hawksridge was the lingering throb in my side.
