Page 13 of Redemption

Jay sighs and stuffs his damaged phone into his rear pocket. “He’ll lose his shit either way. When he left, he told me I had one job, and where you’re sitting means I’ve let him down.”

Lena looks between us. “Are you going to tell him there was an explosion?”

“You couldn’t have known this would happen,” I assure Jay. The photo of the ocean on the wall at the foot of the bed reminds me of our house. It’s a holiday here. I should be home with my family. “I don’t want to tell him, but as soon as he sees me, he’ll know something happened.” My wrist rests against the covers, a stark reminder. “No way to hide this with makeup.” I take a deep breath. “If I don’t show up, he’ll think you’re downplaying my injuries so he doesn’t kill you. No glass partition, remember?”

“A long-sleeved shirt?” Jay’s expression is hopeful.

“If it truly was a gas explosion,” Lena says. “Accidents happen. He can’t blame Jay for that.”

Jay and I stare at each other. She’s assuming Finn’s reasonable. “I’ll try a long-sleeved shirt, but he’s going to see the cast right away. The real question is what I should tell him.”

“Gas leak,” Jay says. “That’s all we know. The explosion knocked you off your feet.”

“Leave out the concussion and hospital stay.” I read his train of thought. The lie sends a spike of panic across my chest. Will he realize I’m withholding information? “I want to hire extra security for the house and for us. That’ll be his first question. Might as well get on top of that.”

“I can call a few local companies,” Lena offers. “Set up meetings for the next couple of days.”

Jay gives her a grateful smile. “Thanks. I gotta get a more useable phone tomorrow.”

When she steps out into the hallway, I sigh. “I just hope Finn doesn’t do anything stupid after he sees me.”

He grimaces. “We’re getting him out. He has to sit tight and have faith.”

“Neither of those are his strong points.” I shift in the bed and groan. “Hopefully, my body won’t be as sore in a few days. Selling the lie I’m fine will be impossible if I still move like this.”

“I’ll contact Evander and see whether we’re any closer to a date. Maybe I can find a way to get him reassurance we’re coming for him soon.”

I cover my face and take a deep breath. “I’m really tired,” I admit.

“I’ll leave you be. Dominic and Adiel are down the hall.”

“Thanks, Jay. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Have I ever told him that explicitly? Bonuses and gifts, sure, but the actual words?

“Feeling is mutual, Carys. You’re one of my people, and I feel awful I didn’t protect you.”

“Maybe we got too relaxed.”

Jay’s eyes narrow, and he purses his lips as though something I’ve said has triggered a thought. “I guess we’ll see what the police turn up. Accident or planned attack?”

My body heats and then cools in a rush. If I’m a target, that means Lucas is, too, and I’ll do anything to protect him. “Accident,” I say. “It must have been an accident.”

Chapter Seven

Finn

Thisvisitationisvastlydifferent from maximum security. Gone are the glass barriers and phones. The guard who escorted me down here said I’m allowed a brief hug to begin the visitation and another to say goodbye. Holding hands is restricted to one finger. No joke. One finger. He recommended the index. Made me laugh. Guess they’re not a fan of her pushing drugs into my palm. Not that she would. Tripping in here would help pass the time. But I’m not keen to start a drug habit now.

The familiar wash of warmth envelops me the minute I catch sight of her at a small table in a corner. She’s dressed for winter, with a heavy coat and long pants. Has she acclimatized to the warmer Cape Verde climate that quickly? It’s summer here, and the yard was hot as fuck this morning.

When she rises to greet me, I zero in on the stiffness of her movements. Instead of hugging her when I get close, I cock my head and take her in from head to toe. Something’s not right. I search her face.

“No hug?” she whispers. The unease in her voice is obvious.

I loop my arms around her waist and slide my fingers under the edge of her coat, then up her sweater so we’re skin to skin. She vibrates under my touch and releases a contented sigh.

“I’ve missed you,” she says.

I dip my head into her neck then kiss her under her ear and squeeze her tight. When I increase the pressure, she lets out a tiny noise of discomfort. Something is wrong. She asked for the hug, but she’s only wrapped one arm around me.

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