Page 10 of Broken Butterfly
Fallon narrows his eyes at me, but I stand firm on what I want. “Deal.”
“How can I trust that you’ll keep your word?”
“Because New Elizabeth would kick my ass if I didn’t.”
A grin splits my face. “Damn straight. Now challenge me to a game of pool so I can hustle you.” I noticed a gyroscopically-controlled pool table in the game room earlier. Fallon barks out a laugh.
“You know what, kitten? I have a feeling that we’re going to have a fucktastic adventure together. Tomorrow is Halloween. I hate that I don’t get to see you in a sexy kitten costume, but I’ve made plans.”
I spin around, arms wide. “Fallon, if you’ve forgotten, we’re on a boat in the Atlantic. I doubt we’ll be getting any trick-or-treaters.”
“Still doesn’t meanwecan’t have fun.”
Me: Kitten made me promise to text one of you assholes every fucking day. You’re the winner only bc I like u best.
Ry:
Ry: How is she?
Me: Scared and confused. She loves you. She hates herself. I think she may have a split personality.
Ry: Don’t tell me that. I hope you’re joking.
Me: Her words, not mine. She says Old Elizabeth and New Elizabeth are battling it out. I’m half expecting her head to start swiveling around in a 360.
Ry: That’s not funny. Is she ok?
Me: As good as can be expected. I made sure to have a doctor on board just in case.
I told Robert to act like one of the crewmen so Elizabeth wouldn’t be freaked out.
Ry: I hate hearing that. Anything at all comes up, you head for port or get her helicoptered out and take her to a proper hospital immediately. Even if you think it’s minor.
Me: I got it covered. She’s safe with me.
Ryder goes silent for a minute, but I see the little dots dancing that tell me he’s typing a reply.
Ry: She promised me that nothing would change between us if she ever got her memory back. She promised all of us she would never leave again. Why couldn’t she come to me? Why did she run?
Me: You, Jay, and Jules are the problems right now. She needs distance and time to settle and make a decision. Being around u three would just fuck her up more. U guys would be fighting over her like rabid dogs and making things worse.
Ry: I would never hurt her.
Me: U wouldn’t mean to, but u would. U, Jay, and Jules would be in her face, pressuring her 24/7. I’m Switzerland in this scenario.
Ry: Help her, Fallon.
Me: I will. You might not like my methods though.
Ry: I trust you.
He shouldn’t when it comes to her.
Ry: Tell her that I love her.
I don’t reply. Instead, I turn my phone off.
It’s one in the morning but I’m too amped up to sleep. As I walk out of my room to go up to the deck and sit for a while with a tumbler of scotch, I hear high-pitched mewling cries and whimpers coming from Elizabeth’s cabin. I’m very familiar with those sounds. They were the theme songs of my childhood. Elizabeth is having nightmares. I hesitate briefly outside her cabin door before continuing my way up the stairs.
