Page 164 of Wanting What's Wrong

But then, wasn’t I happy?

His face is right there, behind my closed lids, and just for a moment I smile. Now that I can see everything as it really was, he was so sweet to me. So kind, so loving. Daddy. I called himDaddy. And it feltright.

Yes, Jackson. My stepbrother.

Step. Brother.

But, all those years together. Does the step part change anything?

I need to get away. From here, from Rosaria, from Jackson. From everyone.

I turn, ready to run, and the pool flashes in front of me, looking so vast and deep and…gosh, it’s fudging terrifying. I back away from the edge, staring down into the water, my body quivering.

A middle-aged man points my way from the other side of the pool. “Hey, no running by the water, you two!”

I stare at him, trying to figure out what he means. Us two? Running?

Then I hear it. Laughter. Children’s laughter.

Glancing to the side, two kids are heading right for me, not looking as they push each other, trying to knock the other into the water. Two boys maybe six or seven years old, oblivious.

“Watch where you’re going.” I whisper.

But it’s no good. The barrell into my legs. My knees buckle and I’m falling. Backward. Into space.

Like a dream, my phone goes first. In slow motion it breaks the surface of the water, sinking as I follow behind.

There’s a splash, voices, then, the water closes over me as I use my last breath to call out.

“Daddy, please…”

Thirteen

Jackson

“Jackson, we’re hearing that the girl you were seen kissing is your sister. Is that true?”

I glare into the crowd of reporters as more and more gather. Where are they even all coming from? They’re like vultures, circling until they spot a fresh kill. I can’t see who the voice belongs to, but I don’t need to.

I need to keep her safe.

That’s my priority. Always and forever. I don’t care what they say about me, I don’t care what they do to me, all I care about is Mina.

“Get inside,” I turn my head, my hand empty where I try to find her. “I’ll explain everything, just—”

She’s gone.

All this is bullshit and I don’t need it.

“Jackson! Can you confirm for our readersthat—”

“No fucking comment,” I growl, then turn and push open the doors to the hotel.

As soon as I’m inside, hotel security seems to swarm from everywhere, keeping the mob out. I know at some point I’m going to have to face these questions, but first I need to find Mina. And I need to tell her the truth, before she hears it from someone else. Unless she’s heard it already…fuck.

“Mina!”

No answer. Fuck. Where’s she gone? Back to our room?

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