“Tell me what to do. I don’t know how to do this relationship thing. I’m not handling her rejection well.”
“No one walks into a relationship an expert, Shadow. And no one handles their first broken heart well. It’s just the way things are sometimes. If it makes you feel better, you’re not the only one suffering. Jessica is too.”
“Why can’t she see that it doesn’t have to be like this? We can make it work.”
“Because she’s stubborn. She thinks she’s protecting you and giving you an opportunity to have a life that you deserve.”
I shake my head. “Like the alternative was better.”
She cast a disdainful glance in my direction. “Thanks, asshole.”
“You know what I mean.” I bump her shoulder playfully with mine.
“She’s seventeen, and thanks to your brother, Troy, you have time. Let her get to know you and yournot-so-evil but very scary counterpart.”
“What if that just pushes her away more, assuming it hasn’t already?”
“I guess you need to get to know Jessica a little bit better. She accepts people for who they are. In fact, she always brings out the best in others, even when she refuses to see it in herself.”
My phone buzzes in my pocket. It’s Anders. Shit. I never told him I was leaving the training area. Although, technically, it’s my night off.
“Anders.” I answer the phone.
“Is she with you?”
I look to Emily, who inclines her head to hear Anders.
“I’m at the movie theater with Emily.”
“Is. She. With. You?” he asks again.
“No.”
“She’s not with Shadow, and Emily is with him,” he says to someone next to him.
Two things come to mind. She either ran, or she’s with someone else. A prickling sensation beneath my skin spreads as fear and anger course through me.Where the fuck is she?
“Are all of the recruits accounted for?” I ask a growl resonating with my words,
“Yes. Dr. York was the last one to see her. That was maybe three to four hours ago.”
I close my eyes as my breathing becomes labored. Emily takes the phone from me, but I can barely understand what she says. In the recesses of my mind, I hear his voice.
Let me find her.
I swear, if you hurt her again…
I won’t. Let me find her to make this right. She means as much to me as she does to you.
With my uncontrolled emotions all over the place, it’s not like I have a choice. The true Shadow takes over. I pray that he keeps his word.
Chapter 43
Sol’s Bar
JESSICA
Seven Years Ago
