“I’m sorry you have to be apart right now.”
She shook her head. “It’s not the distance that hurts anymore. It’s the betrayal.” Amelia stopped and stared at the top of the tunnel, blinking away tears. “He lied to me. He used me. He was willing to sell me out to save himself.” She laughed in disbelief. “And, like always, I was ready to sacrifice myself for him.” Her voice softened. “And I hate that I still would. I’ve always taken responsibility for him. But he won’t ever take it for himself.”
Light leaked overhead as the old ladder came into view. Amelia held the flashlight while I removed the bar that locked it from the inside. Dirt rained down on us as I shoved the trapdoor open and prayed that unsuspecting campers weren’t sitting on the other side.
No people. Just birdsong.
Daylight washed into the tunnel as we climbed out. Amelia watched as I closed the trapdoor. The moss that covered it sealed seamlessly. No one would ever suspect what was beneath.
I took her hand again as we carefully crossed the rocky shore and sat at the edge of the river.
To my surprise, Amelia rested her head on my shoulder. “I’m fully aware that I put myself in this position. I could’ve left Joel to the consequences of his actions. I know I went back to the casino each time you tried to get me to leave. I’m not denying the choices I made.”
“But he’s your brother.”
“I would do anything for him,” she admitted. “Do you have siblings?”
“I have Cole,” I said. “We’re not blood, but our brotherhood was forged in it.”
“So you get it. You’re like me and Joel.”
I shook my head. “No. Cole would do anything for me.” I picked up a smooth stone and pitched it into the river. “But the difference is that I would do anything for him too. Relationships should always be mutually beneficial, but it’s rare that it’s beneficial to everyone involved at the same time.” I shifted, moving so she was sitting between my knees and I could put my arms around her. I kissed the side of her neck, then rested my forehead on her shoulder. “And just for the record, I’d do anything for you.”
26
AMELIA
Monday, May 26 | 12:21 p.m.
“Comfortable?” Jude asked as he combed his fingers through my hair. He seemed perfectly content that I was using his thighs as a pillow as we lounged by the river.
I peered through my lashes but immediately closed my eyes as the sharp noon sunlight blinded me as it leaked through the tree cover. “Mm-hmm.”
“Where’s your head at now?” he asked softly.
I let out a long exhale. “I’m pretending that I’m on a beach somewhere. Debating if I want to dress up and go out to dinner or if I’m going to order room service from my very fancy hotel and eat it in my bathtub that’s the size of a swimming pool.”
Jude chuckled. “Was that how your summer was supposed to go?”
“More or less,” I mused. “More relaxation. Less kidnapping.” I chanced a peek at Jude and caught him smiling. “I certainly didn’t expect this many hot bouncers.”
“Bouncersplural? Who are the other ones? I’ll kill ’em,” Jude teased.
I snickered. “I know you’re joking, but I still believe you would.”
He didn’t make a peep.
“Jude?” I said after a long stretch of silence.
“Hmm?”
“How many days has it been?”
“Since we left New Jersey?”
I smiled into the sunshine. “That’s a nice way to put it, but yes.”
“Four days.” He combed through my hair again. “Ten days since I first saw you at the casino, smelling like liquor and wearing that tiara.”
