Page 75 of Cruel Revenge
“Do you trust me about Changing Carey?” I asked, wondering if that street went both ways.
After twenty seconds of silence, I knew the truth.
“You’re angry,” I whispered.
“Yes.” Heath’s detachment from earlier in the evening returned. “And we’ll discuss it later.”
But talking on the phone is easier than in person… I don’t have to see your expression or smell how angry you are…
“I think we can spare a moment?—”
“I can’t talk about it right now,” Heath said sharply. “I can’tthinkabout it right now.”
I didn’t push it, but there was now a widening ravine between Heath and me that I had no idea how to close. After all the fighting to be together, someone came and hit us in our most vulnerable place by taking Carey. I had no idea how we were supposed to come back together at the end of this.
“I’m almost at the BSA. What time does your thing start?”
“It’s already starting,” Heath answered. “You might like to know that the BSA doesn’t know that I’ve beaten Callahan in a fight. They’ll think it’s Callahan and the NAWC giving the orders. You might be able to bargain the truth with them for their intel because Callahan and the NAWC are on the same page as me. They won’t talk to anyone. The BSA can talk to me if they want answers and want to test me.”
“They’ll getnothingfrom me,” I snarled, that uncontrollable temper flaring as my nails Changed into claws on the steering wheel. “Not a goddamn thing.”
I wished I could see Heath’s face for the silent minute he didn’t reply. When he finally spoke, it was once again different.
“Jacky… can you do me a favor?”
“What is it?”
“Stay angry for me.” He took a quick breath. “I have to go. I love you.”
You wouldn’t if you saw me right now. You’re fighting to keep that love for me after I Changed Carey.
“I love you, too,” I said, knowing I meant every word.
Then we hung up.
I pulled into the BSA parking lot, taking several deep breaths to calm down. There were a few members of the press outside the building, all with cameras and microphones. I decided to park around the side, knowing there was a handful of emergency exits. I texted Beth to see if she could let me in one of them.
I slipped out of my car and into the building when she popped open one of the doors.
“Luckily, these doors don’t trigger the alarm,” Beth said, closing them behind me.
“Yeah. They probably should,” I said, shaking my head. “So, where are we having our meeting?”
“This way. Third floor.” Beth led me up the emergency stairwell to the third floor, then scanned her card to open the hallway door.
“You’re going to wait in this office for a moment while everyone is still getting together,” she said, pushing open a door near the emergency stairs. “There’s a lot to discuss and a lot of people want to be in this meeting, but they have to wrap up different things before they can meet us.”
“I’ll wait,” I said, going into the office where she wanted me to wait. She closed me in, and I went nonchalantly to the desk and sat down, liking how nice the chair was. I looked under the desk and saw a computer there.
Making it easy for me, huh? I guess you all don’t know about Davor. I guess it should be a good thing they trust me well enough to leave me alone like this, considering the circumstances.
I didn’t see any cameras in the office, so I plugged in the USB and turned on the PC, letting it boot up without touching it anymore. Less than a minute later, still waiting for Beth to get me, I got a text from Davor. His message was simple and exactly what I wanted to see.
I’m in. Turn off the monitor if you haven’t.
I did just that, hitting the button on the monitor to remove the glow from the room. I could have easily explained it away by saying I accidentally woke it up by hitting the desk, but it was nice not to worry about it.
It was another couple of minutes before Beth returned.
