Page 110 of Bones
I focused harder on the sand, panic building in my chest.
Who. Is. This?He ripped into my head again, pulling up every memory I had of Trey’s face. His rage felt like a scorching iron against my flesh.
Please,I sobbed.He’s nothing to me!
You’re right.His amusement was sharp and cruel.He will be nothing soon.
Please!I almost opened my eyes in desperation, barely keeping myself under control.I swear, he’s?—
When will you learn?he interrupted, his voice dangerous.You belong to me.
* * *
I stared at a beetle crawling its way across the floor. My brain felt like it’d been packed full of cotton. I lay on my stomach on my mattress, and slowly I became aware of people talking.
“We think this might be the spark?—”
“—don’t risk it. We can’t until they?—”
“—could havekilledher, Mac!”
“Ican’t.You don’t have the numbers?—”
“Fuck the numbers!”
The last words were yelled so loudly I flinched and a pained cry escaped my lips. I heard the sound of chairs scraping across the wooden floor.
“Bones?”
The beetle disappeared beneath a worn boot and a body crouched next to me. I met Trey’s soft eyes.
“Hey,” he said, a strained smile on his face. “Good morning, Sleepin’ Beauty.”
Panic roared through me and his expression grew alarmed.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
Gods, what had I done? My eyes filled with tears.
“Bones, talk to me.” He stroked my cheek.
Mac crouched next to him, his expression more steady.
“You promised,” I rasped.
Trey’s expression shuttered. “You were in so much pain, what?—”
“Go away.” My hoarse voice was borderline hysterical. “Go away, Trey. Get away from me.”
He stared at me like I’d stabbed him through the heart. When he didn’t move, I started trying to push myself up to pull away from his gentle touch, but the pain that roared to life in my back made me cry out and freeze, panting. Mac grabbed Trey’s arm and hauled him away as I tried to convince myself I could get up without passing out. I started trying to move again, but then Mac reappeared, gripping my arm.
“Bones, no,” he snapped, “you can’t get up. Your back is still a mess.”
“I—”
“You try to get up, and I will give you another fucking narc.” His eyes glittered.
I froze in terror, then lowered myself back onto the mattress. He released my arm.
