Page 96 of Twice as Forbidden

“Also, Vince may have had the ledger, but it wasn’t on him when they brought his body in. What do you want me to do about that?”

“Nothing. I don’t give a fuck about it.”

“You sure? Might be why Veronica is in a hurry to skip town.”

“I’m sure. I need another favor. Can you look into Maribel Price’s medical records and find out everything you can about her cancer and prognosis?”

“Got it.”

Chapter thirty-one

Georgia

Three days later…

Beep. Beep. Beep.

A piercing alarm shrills inside my head. I want to make it stop but can’t figure out where it’s coming from. I try to open my eyes, but it’s as if my brain isn’t connected to my body.Jesus, make it stop.Every sharp beep grates against my skull. I feel like I’m going to be sick. I try to speak, but my tongue is sandpaper stuck to the roof of my mouth. A shallow breath escapes me, but the pain at the simple task sears through me. A ragged cry expels from my lips.

“Holy shit—someone help! She’s awake! Georgie! Oh my God, Georgie!”

My sister’s voice. Why do I hear my sister’s voice? “Let…” My throat burns. “I… I…”

“What’s wrong? I don’t know what you need. Do you need water? Help! Of course, everybody leaves for two seconds, and you decide to wake up.”

“Why are you screaming? Oh, fuck.”

Noah.

“Noah… stop. Make it stop.” My voice sounds unfamiliar to me.

“Stop what, George? Anything. Tell me what you need.”

“The beeping. Make the beeping stop.” Why does my throat feel like it’s on fire?

“I don’t know how to do that—”

“Jesus, are youcrazy? Don’t unplug the machines, you dimwit!”

“I don’t know how to make it stop!”

The shouting slices through my head, each word like a dagger plunging into my forehead. What is happening? Where am I? I blink. The lights are blinding.

“Where am I?”

“Oh, honey!” My mother appears, and she bursts into tears.

“Mom?”

Why is my mom here? Why does everything hurt?

“Oh, honey, we’ve been so worried.”

“Why? Why have you been worried? Why are you here?” I’m in so much pain. I choke on a sob, making the pain worse. “Mom, help me. What’s happening?”

“Honey, you need to calm down. You were in an accident.”

“An accident? How?” I look around the room, frantic for answers.

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