Page 112 of Temptation
Kane disappeared a couple of minutes ago, claiming that he wanted to get us some coffee, but he didn’t need half an hour to bring two coffees. I should’ve called Rowan’s parents, but I didn’t want them here. I didn’t want to look at his mother who knew. All this time she knew who I was. She knew what I was going through, but she kept her fucking mouth shut, throwing me to the wolves.
Did she also know about Danny and Judah? Knowing how fucked up Winworth was, and how messed up people in the Order were, I wouldn’t have been surprised if she had actually encouraged it.
Fuck this.
I couldn’t keep sitting here.
My feet kept bouncing on the floor, my heart hammered against my ribs, and the fact that I hadn’t heard from Ash and Dylan either, didn’t help my nerves.
I stood up and walked toward the reception, where one single doctor sat behind, typing on the computer.
“Is there any news on Rowan Lacroix?” I asked without introducing myself. It was the same doctor that stopped me from going inside, and even though I knew she was only doing her job, the less rational part of me wanted to tear her apart for keeping me here in the dark.
“Nothing yet, sweetheart.” She smiled at me. If they could all stop looking at me with pity, my anger would be in a much better place. But as it was, every single one of them kept throwing pitiful glances my way, smiling whenever I spoke to them. I hated every single second of it. “The doctor is working on him. Trust me, he’s in the best hands possible. Just take a seat and relax.”
Relax? How did she expect me to relax when Rowan’s blood covered my hands, my clothes, and my face? How could I relax when he could die on the table, just because he tried saving me?
Run, Skylar, he said.Run.
But where could I run? How do I run when no matter what I did, they would find me? Danny was right about one thing—Judah Blackwood wouldn’t stop until he found me. Until he brought me back to Winworth, so that he could use me however the fuck he wanted to.
Dylan couldn’t stop him, and even though I wanted to believe that he could, I knew he couldn’t. Judah was too powerful for us. Too strong to run away from because he had friends all over the world.
Senator Blackwood. What a fucking joke.
I needed to plan, to think about our next steps, but my mind was fuzzy from all the events of the evening, and I barely kept myself upright, holding onto the counter of the reception desk.
“You don’t look so good,” she said and stood up. She exited the inside area of the reception desk and walked toward me. “Were you hurt as well?”
Was I? I had no idea.
“I-I don’t know. I wasn’t, I think.”
“Maybe we should get you checked out, huh?” That kind smile again overtook her face, but I didn’t need that. I couldn’t handle kindness right now.
The harsh reality was far too strong for the kindness of strangers, and when she tried to put her hand around my upper arm, I stepped back, swaying on my feet.
“I’m fine,” I grunted. But we both knew I was lying.
“You went through quite the ordeal, honey. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to have a quick checkup while you’re waiting. Any news on your friend’s parents?”
“His name is Rowan,” I gritted out. “And no. They’re not answering their phones.”
Liar, liar, liar. I never even called them. They belonged to the Order, and the only thing they could do was to make things worse.
“Maybe I should try calling them, while you rel—”
“No.” Her eyebrows furrowed. “I mean, it’s not necessary.” I smiled at her. “I’ll try again, and I’ll let you know if I manage to reach them. I’m sure they’re not checking their phones since it’s quite late and they’re out of town.”
“Right,” she murmured.
“Um, do you maybe have something for nerves?” I asked, the words blurting out of me without thinking. “It’s just, my hands are still shaking.” I showed her my hands. “And my heart is just…” I trailed off. “What if he dies?” I asked her, my voice breaking in the middle. “What if tonight is the last time I ever see him? What if he never—”
“Okay, okay, calm down.” She hugged me to herself. “Come with me. I can give you something to relax you, but your friend is going to be fine.”
I sobbed against her, my hands wrapped around the pale blue scrubs she wore, and I let her take me away from the reception area. Away from the eyes of other people who also waited for their loved ones to come out.
She led me down the long hallway, into the area where only two other people were sitting. Other nurses passed next to us, but I paid them no attention even though I could feel their eyes on me.
