Page 73 of Aftershock
Alaric does.
Is it possible he tortured my mom too?
Hmm. I wish, but no, there’s no way he did.
Alaric was twenty-eight at the time. Fresh out of med school. He had to have been a resident, not an attending like he is today. He must’ve spent days and nights in the hospital without a moment to spare.
Still, that doesn’t take away from the fact that he saved me that night.
Even if he didn’t kill Mom, which I don’t think he did, he’s still my angel.
Back to Harold. While he fights for air, Alaric toys with a bulky autoinjector. It reminds me of an EpiPen, only with a different brand name on it, one I don’t recognize.
Strange.
“There, there.” He strolls over to Harold. “No need for the theatrics.”
His dark humor makes me bite back on my lip to stifle a laugh. My God, he’s hilarious.
The moment Harold’s eyes roll back, Alaric injects the pen firmly into the middle of Harold’s outer thigh. Then he goes back to the table. Taps. Scribbles.
I expect him to go back to Harold, except…
What’s this? He removes his gloves, picks up his phone, and types on it.
Why? Is he texting someone?
And if so, who the hell would he text at a time like this?
Does he have an accomplice?
I shouldn’t be jealous of this person who might be helping Alaric, but I am.
A knot ties in my stomach. My mouth twists.
I don’t spiral for long. A minute later, to my left, my phone lights up. I get up quietly, snatching it from the dusty stool I placed it on earlier.
My eyebrows fly up when I see his name on the screen, and I can’t unlock the phone fast enough.
Alaric:Wanted to check in on you in case you’re up. How are you? Changed your mind about me coming over?
Alaric:Wish I could’ve stayed the night.
Alaric:I’m not upset or anything. I just—I miss you.
He was right. His words aren’t cheap. At all. For fuck’s sake, he’s torturing a man and still has time to think about me.
Unfortunately, he’ll have to wait for my reply. I can’t risk sticking around for another second.
After taping the hole in the wall shut, I slip quietly out of his building and jog all the way home, a smile tugging at my mouth.
I fell for the right man.
Life is perfect.
15
LILITH
