Crashing against the corner of the building, I fall to pieces, sliding to the ground on my butt, not even feeling the rough asphalt underneath me. I’m so cold, and I can’t breathe. I double over, dry heaving as my stomach attempts to expel its contents. Nothing comes out except bile and a strangled kind of howl that sounds like an animal in pain.
Huge wracking sobs are birthed straight from my soul, and I know I need to get out of here, but I can’t force my limbs to move. I gasp and cry and scream as all pent-up emotions flow through me. My surroundings disappear as I give in to the darkness emanating from deep within me while it threatens to swallow me whole.
“Kendall, sweetheart. Look at me.” A cold hand touches my cheek, and I flinch.
Swiping at my blurry eyes, I focus on the figure crouched in front of me.
“You’re scaring me, sweetheart,” Jimmy says. “Should I get Vander?”
“No!” The word erupts from my mouth as my eyes widen in alarm. “No.” I shake my head and try to compose myself.
Jimmy says nothing as he hands me a tissue and watches while I dab at my eyes and try to resemble something human. “What’s going on?” he asks, extending his hand and pulling me to my feet.
Yanking my hand back, I wrap my arms around my torso as if that will ward off the chill penetrating every molecule of my body. My lower lip wobbles as I caution myself to get a grip. “I’m glad I bumped into you,” I say, wincing at the hoarse sound of my voice. “I need you to do something for me.”
He nods, encouraging me to go on with a concerned expression on his face. “Vander and I broke up.” Tears pool in my eyes again, and I want to attach a suction to my eye ducts until all the tears are sucked dry.
“I know he wouldn’t do that, and you’re clearly distraught, so why did this happen, Kendall?”
“I can’t tell you.” My head whips around, my eyes scanning the area for evidence of any cameras or spies. I wouldn’t put it past that asshole to have sicced his PI on me again.
“Are you in trouble?”
Am I?I honestly don’t know. What I do know is if I tell Jimmy anything he could die. I won’t take risks with his life or anyone’s. “Vander can never know about this. You didn’t see me here.”
“Let me help. Just tell me—”
I shake my head. “I can’t, but youcanhelp. Vander is going to tell you what’s happened, and you’re going to sympathize with him and support him, but under no circumstances are you to tell him to fight for me, or come after me, or read anything more into it.”
His brow puckers, and I reach out, taking a hold of his hand. “Do you believe I love Vander? Do you believe in the connection we share?”
“Without a shadow of a doubt.”
“Then trust me when I say I’m doing this because I love him so much I would break his heart—and mine—if it means I get to save him.”
Slowly, he nods. “Are you sure I can’t help?”
I shake my head again. “I’ve done the best I can, but it all hinges on Vander staying away from me. I need you to promise me you’ll do whatever you can to ensure that happens. Promise me, Jimmy.” I tighten my grip on his hand.
“I promise, Kendall.”
A layer of stress lifts from my shoulders. “Look out for him, please. Remind him who he is, and make sure he doesn’t lose himself or lose focus of his goals. I don’t want this to derail his future, or else, it’ll all have been in vain.”
“You know I will.”
I press a kiss to his cheek. “You’re a good man, Jimmy. Thank you for caring about him and for not asking questions I can’t give you answers to.”
“He won’t take this well.”
“I know.” How I manage to smile through my tears is unfathomable. “I don’t know how I can go on without him, but this is how it has to be, for now.”
“Aw, sweetheart.” When he pulls me into a hug, I collapse against him, dissolving into tears again as I soak his shirt. When I ease back, he hands me a fresh tissue.
I blow my nose and wipe my damp face. “Two more things. Greg knows where Diana is. You need to find a way of telling Vander so he can warn her. And there is a camera somewhere in his apartment.” I hate that Greg will see the devastation he has wrought with his game playing, but that is the last time he will spy on his son. “Don’t tell Vander. Just find it and destroy it.”
He bobs his head. “Consider it done.”
“Thanks, Jimmy.” I give him a quick hug before I make my way to my SUV.
