“Better. Less hot.”
He presses the back of his hand to my head and hums, and that sound zips right through me.
“What do you remember last?”
I wet my dry lips. “I’m in your house, right?” He nods. “Kaiden brought me here, and I showed him...” I swallow. “…the email.”
The memories come rushing back. The feeling of bone-deep dread and panic. The words. The threat.Money or ruin.
“How long have I been asleep?” I search the room for a clock. There isn’t one.
“A while. It’s the next day.”
That’s it, then.
I didn’t send the money.
I’m going to prison.
I’ll lose everything.
Val murmurs something in Spanish, his voice keeping the same low tone as he continues in English. “It’s okay, cariño. You don’t need to worry.”
I rub my eyes. “Did Kaiden tell you? About the email?”
He nods. “And you don’t need to worry about it. We’ll explain more when you’re better. But it’s done. Over.”
What does he mean it’sover?
“Have the police been in touch? Are they coming?”
“No, Revea. You’re not going anywhere. We’ve dealt with it.”
I frown. “What does that mean? What… You didn’t send them money, did you?”
“No. But now I need you to listen to me.” His hands cup my face, forcing our eyes level. “We’ve dealt with it. It’s over. You’re safe.”
It’s… over?
I can’t quite believe it.
My eyes search his for… something. But there’s nothing. Just stern certainty as his thumb brushes my cheek.
God, I didn’t realise how much I missed him until now.
“But… how?” I slump back against the pillows, new tears forming from the utter relief.
“We have our ways.”
What the hell does that mean?
A cold thought hits me. “You didn’t... You didn’t do anything crazy, right? Like… hire a hitman from the dark web?”
“No.” But he doesn’t laugh or smile at the crazy suggestion, which tells me it isn’t that crazy.
“Val...”
“I’m joking.” Then he gives me a small smile, shrugging as he adds, “Kinda.”
