“And if it turns out I’m right and you’re wrong?”
“Then I will have brought down a corrupt, immoral man for the greater good,” he snaps. “Either way, I’m not going to lose any sleep over it.”
What does he mean, bring Reginald Grant down? Who does he think he is, Robin Hood? The panic of last night comes back to me, my fingers turning cold at the thought of Dan and Mason braced for a fight.
A few exaggerated breaths thicken the air. I can feel the tension, even with my eyes closed. If they are looking at me, I definitely gave it away. But knowing them both, they are too busy glaring at each other to notice.
The door creaks open, and I’m glad for whoever walked in.
“Is she awake?” Jonathan asks. “Maybe I should take a closer look. Dan, I think you should get going. I’ll take it from here.”
“Yeah, I suppose.” Dan sighs.
What? No.He is not going anywhere. I have questions he needs to answer. I’m about to give up the charade when the cushion next to me dips again and a minty exhale washes over my face.
“Take care, Bean,” Dan whispers, his distorted voice making me freeze. “You’re all I’ve got left.”
I hold my breath as he drops a peck on my forehead, my throat choking with a lump too large for me to stop him.
I couldn’t take it anymore when Jonathan started flashing a torch in my eyes. But I tried my best to fake my return to consciousness and gave in to the lethargy of my head rush. He made me drink some electrolyte drink and told me Grace and Valerie had to take Lily home, and Grandpa and Dan had to go back to Etheridge Enterprises.
Even Jonathan wasn’t convinced when he tried to sell me that load of crap, but he looked relieved when I didn’t press.
What’s the point? It hurts to hear them lie to my face.
The conversation I heard, thanks to my fall, answered the questions I have been carrying around for months.
It was abundantly, undeniably clear—my mind has snapped.
Maybe Dr. Janet was right all along. I’m just so weak, I can’t handle the loss of my parents. That the mere memories of them turns my brain off and makes me black me out. So, everyone I love, everyone who has been an important part of my life, must keep me at a distance to not trigger more episodes. And they can’t even tell me for fear of breaking the last filament that’s holding me together.So, they’ll keep lying to me, which I now know is the code for:Let’s keep the weakling alive.And I’ll just have to keep pretending I only lost my parents, not every single person I love.
Valerie was right about one thing. I need to stay away from London. So, I call Kate and ask her to pack my things while Jonathan drives me back to Etheridge Mansion. I don’t even bother going inside. My bag is already in the boot, Jack ready to go. I officially have no reason to linger any longer.
Even so, the ride to Fort George is painful. Every mile feels like another string snipped from my family.
“Kid?” Jack looks over his shoulder, his voice sharp. “Are you okay?”
I pat the moisture under my eyes and give him a smallsmile. He pulls a box of tissues from the glove compartment and hands it to me.
“I can take you back?” Jack offers. “I have been enjoying my eventless life this weekend.”
“I think you’ve had enough time off, don’t you?” I smile.
“Does that mean you’ll keep breaking your protocol? Tell me now, so I can put in my notice.”
“No, that meansI’llbe deciding my protocol,” I respond, my voice more confident than I expected. Jack raises an eyebrow. “That’s right. You’ll takemewhereIwant to go, leave me whenIask you to, and trust me that I won’t put myself at risk. In return, I will inform you where I am at all times and not break the agreed protocol. That’s the only way this is going to work.”
Jack squints, and his eyes meet mine in the rearview mirror.
“You know you are a carbon copy of your mother.” He gives me a knowing look. “In more ways than one.”
“So everyone keeps telling me.” I chuckle.
“Okay then,” he sighs. “Am I taking you to your place orhis?”
“You know where Mason lives?”
“Part of my job.” He shrugs lazily. “So, what’s your destination?”
