De Luca’s words are echoing in my head.
Midnight Tomorrow. Bring her home.
My stomach twists violently, and I gag, leaning over and spitting a mouthful of blood onto the gravel. My vision is swimming. I slap the hood on my jeep to stay upright.
I should get in. I need to drive and go home.
Instead, I stand there just shaking and trying not to collapse into a crumbling pile of shit.
My mind goes back to Julia.
FUCK
Just the thought of De Luca’s hands on her….
NO.
I dig my fingers into my hair, pulling at the roots. I try to take a breath, but it feels like I’m inhaling broken glass.
I won’t let that happen.
I fucking can't.
I force myself into the driver’s seat, hissing at the movement, sending a shock of pain through my ribs. My hands are slick with dried blood as I grip the steering wheel. I must look like hell… Fuck, I feel like hell.
The drive home is a blur of headlights and a pounding headache. Every turn feels too slow, yet too fast. My chest tightens. I keep imagining Kai pacing the penthouse, checking the clock, and glancing at the door.
And Julia…
Hopefully still curled up in my bed, breathing slowly, still smelling like me from my hoodie.
A sick twist hits me again…
I’m about to go home covered in her dad’spersonal threat.
By the time I reach the building, my vision is tunneling. I barely make it through the parking garage without sideswiping a column. The elevator ride feels like hours; each floor ding is too loud.
When I step into the penthouse, the lights are dim.
I can see Kai sitting on the couch, waiting for me.
When the door clicks closed, he turns and freezes.
His face… fuck his face. It is full of shock, fear, and the kind of anger that makes grown men pray.
“Jesus… Mikey.” He’s across the room in two strides, hands hovering over me like he wants to grab me, but is afraid to.
“What the fuck happened?”
I swallow hard… or try to. My throat feels like it got shredded by a cheese grater.
“Don’t…” I breathe out. “Not loud.”
His eye flicks instantly towards the hallway, to my room, where Julia is sleeping.
He nods once in understanding.
He hooks his arm under mine and guides me towards the bathroom. The second the door shuts behind us, he turns and glares at me.
