I blink, my vision doubling. I tip forward, my hands flat on the table, trying to stay upright.
Jett’s hand rubs my back. “Easy, cupcake. Let me help you.”
I try to stand, but my knees buckle, and Jett catches me.
“I don’t feel so g-good.”
“I got you,” he says, dragging me with him. “I’ll make you feelso good.”
No.
No.
No.
My brain screams it, but my mouth won’t form the words. I stumble, the music becoming muffled behind the pounding in my ears. My limbs are heavy, and the world is spinning.
“I need… my room,” I mumble, barely able to hold my head up.
Colors blur.
Shapes melt together.
Panic sets in.
Something’s wrong.
Something’s very wrong.
He’s pulling me, fast, toward the exit, and I can’t fight him because my body isn’t responding.
Then—
A flash of movement.
A silhouette I know better than my own reflection.
“Mercs…” I whisper, barely audible, voice slurred. “H-help m-me…”
And then everything goes dark.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
MERCS
When Kiera’s having a rough day, it always wrecks me. No matter how strong I try to be for her, hearing the weakness in her voice cracks me straight down the middle. Today’s one of those days. She’s exhausted, nauseous, barely able to hold a conversation, but she still called, just to hear my voice.
That’s who she is.
Brave, even when everything hurts.
And I’d give anything to make it better. Anything to fast-track her treatment, to get her healthy again. But the debt I now owe Vex is suffocating. I’m in deeper than I’ve ever been, and every day I feel the weight of that choice pressing down harder.
Still, I’ll find a way.
I have to.
But right now, my girl is downstairs at the after-party, waiting for me. So I pocket my phone, take a breath, and head to the elevator. The shitty instrumental mood music playing overhead doesn’t register, because all I can think about is Effa. I’m ready to drink, dance, and finally let go with the woman I love.
