Reality slowly returned as I remembered where I was and what had happened the night before.
After I’d taken my father’s car, I’d driven to St. Anthony’s in the hopes I’d be able to talk to Father O before he locked up for the night. I’d caught a break because he’d been in the process of locking the front door. While I hadn’t been able to tell him how I knew something had happened to Hank, he’d agreed to contact the prison, since they wouldn’t give information on an inmate to anyone but family. My hope was that as a member of the clergy, they might tell him something, anything about Hank’s condition.
I’d been lost after that. My fear for Hank and the close call with T had sent me right to the edge. I’d wanted more than anything to go to Phoenix right then and beg him to help me, but I’d known that wasn’t an option.
So I’d gone to the one place I’d never wanted to go near again, but that kept drawing me back like a lure. I’d sat in front of the Nichols house for hours, reliving that night and pretending things I had no business pretending.
Like that Fred and Corinne Nichols still lived in that house and their greatest joy was when their son came home from college for visits.
Or that they were spending a sleepless night in the home as they prepared for their child’s wedding the next day.
“Talk to me, Levi,” Phoenix urged as he stroked my back.
My naked back.
After we’d gotten out of the shower, Phoenix had taken his time drying me off with a towel as he’d kissed me softly over and over again. Then he’d carefully changed the soaking wet bandage on my wrist. I’d spent the entire time still reeling from what he done to me.
What he’d made me feel.
Never in a million years had I expected someone like him to bring me any kind of pleasure, let alone what he’d actually done. And when he’d talked about me being inside of him…
Even now, my body reacted to the thought.
“Just a bad dream,” I murmured, knowing the answer wouldn’t be enough for him. I forced myself to sit up and glanced at the clock. It was just after six in the morning.
“A bad dream didn’t bring you to my door last night,” Phoenix said as he brushed my temple with his fingers. “It didn’t put those bruises on your face, either.”
God, I didn’t want to lie to him.
“Some boxes fell off a pallet at work…they sent me home early.”
Phoenix pulled me against him so that his forehead was pressed to my temple. “I wish you would trust me,” he whispered. “I can help you.”
I choked back a sob and closed my eyes. God, he felt so good…so warm. What I wouldn’t give to wake up in his arms every day.
“I promise I’ll tell you everything soon,” I finally said as I pulled away. “But I need to take care of some things first.”
He pressed a kiss against my skin. “I’m holding you to that,” he said.
I nodded.
Iwouldtell him. But it would be from the other side of a sheet of plexiglass and through a phone. Because T had sealed the deal for me.
I couldn’t fight anymore.
I’d get Henry situated and pray that the State found him a good situation, assuming they took him from Dina at all. Then I’d do what I should have done seven years ago. I’d walk through the nearest police station’s doors and tell them about T and his threat against Betty. Then I’d tell them about Seth and his family.
I didn’t care where they sent me this time, because I wouldn’t survive it. It was the coward’s way out, but I’d find a way to end my life once I was back behind bars.
“I should go,” I said. “I need to get my father’s car back before he realizes I took it,” I said. “And Dina will be leaving for work in a couple of hours.”
“I’ll come with you,” Phoenix said. “You can bring Henry back here and we can spend the day together.”
I began to shake my head, but I was surprised when Phoenix murmured, “Please, Levi.” I turned to look at him and finally noticed his features etched with tension.
“What happened?” I asked as I turned to face him.
“Amani’s doctors did another brain scan yesterday. They check it every few months to see if there’s been any change.”
