Page 90 of Edge of Heaven

I nod miserably. “And as time went on, things got worse. He got meaner and rougher and more demanding.”

“And then you started falling for Mick.”

“I was always crazy about Mick. We spent three days together four years ago and it was magical. But I was moving back to L.A. and he was busy with his music. There didn’t seem to be a way for us to be together so it seemed easier to just let it go. Then, when I saw him again, I tried so hard not to think about everything, but it was hard. And when I found out he felt the same… it got impossible. But I didn’t want to run from Callum to Mick, the perpetual damsel in distress. On top of that, I basically sold my body to Callum like a fucking prostitute. Gross.” I shudder slightly.

“It’s not gross. Your kid hascancer. I would beg, borrow, steal, or fuck whoever was necessary if it was my kid. And shout it from the rooftops. I don’t care what anyone thinks. People rob banks and commit murder to pay medical bills—and you were already dating Callum. No one will think anything like that.”

“Is Callum in jail?” I ask after a moment.

“You’re damn straight he is.” Both of us jump at the sound of Mick’s voice.

“Good morning.” Ryleigh gets up. “I’ll leave you two to talk. I’m going to go get some breakfast. I’ll be back.” She reaches over to squeeze my hand and then disappears down the hall.

Mick is standing in the doorway with a bouquet of flowers and a weird combination of ferocity and contrition on his face.

“Thank you.” I take the flowers as he leans over to kiss my forehead.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m sore,” I say.

“Liar. Three broken ribs have to hurt like a bitch.” He brushes warm fingers along my cheek. “I can’t believe he did this to you.”

“What did you tell the police?” I ask quietly.

“The truth as I know it, which is things he’s done in the past. Obviously, I wasn’t there when this happened.”

“I told you not to get involved,” I whisper.

“There was no way in hell I was going to let him get away with this,” he says, scowling. “And anyway, no matter what I said, he gave himself away when he got here.”

“But you gave the cops his name. Why would you do that when I specifically asked you not to get involved?”

He cocks his head. “Seriously?”

“I had a plan! I was ready to get out and now I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

“You had a plan?” He stares at me. “Did your plan include getting your ribs broken and your face busted up? Was that the plan?!”

“Don’t yell at me.” I’m on the verge of tears and panic again.

Callum getting arrested again is bad.

For him and for me.

“Sorry.” He takes a breath. “But Taryn, what are you talking about?”

“It wasn’t intentional, I didn’t know what was going to happen yesterday, but because of what he did to me, I finally had leverage. It was my way out! And now…” She shakes her head. “Where is he? Is he still in jail? Was he at the show last night?”

“No. Tate filled in for him, and we don’t know what’s going to happen after this. I don’t know what happened after they arrested him.”

“Can you find out?”

Chapter31

Mick

I have a feelingthis isn’t going to end well for me. I’m not sure why she’s so upset, or what she’s talking about, but I obligingly pull out my phone and open the internet. I search for Callum’s name and—whoa.

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