Page 17 of Perfect Order
“Consider it done.”
I can tell she’s about to press End, but my words stop her. “Hey, Kylie? I love you always.”
I hear her chuckle, “And you know I love you too, Leanne. Forever. Never forget that.”
Instead of settling me, her call causes my unease to intensify. I should have been in New York by now. I almost strangled Ivan when he dashed in my door at the last-minute meeting to discuss another request from Messenia to merge corporations. Infuriated because this is something that we’ve discussed many times before. It was absolutely something that could and should have waited. As a result, our conversation became heated. I ended up storming out to my Bentley after I reminded him not only am I the CEO of Castor Industries, Inc., but I hold the majority of the voting shares—all of which are held by Miles family members.
The meeting left a sour taste in my mouth after our team’s success just weeks before. Now, more than ever, I want to spend time to celebrate with my twin and to listen to the news she wants to share.
But the closer I get to the city, the more something else pushes at me to press the accelerator down harder than I ever have.
By the time I’m striding toward the front desk of the Plaza a few hours later, I’m on edge. I’m even more delayed than expected due to an unexpected traffic jam. Plus, I had this odd onset of acid that made me pull to the side of the highway to vomit.Damn, what the hell did I eat?Mentally, I go over the takeout the team ordered last night and write them off the list.Never having Yuck Truck again at 2:00 a.m.Frustrated in line, I yank my phone out to try my sister again. I still can’t get Kylie on the phone to tell her I’m here. Suddenly, I crumple to the ground, barely able to breathe. People milling around me look around in concern. Discreetly dressed security personnel begin to approach. One thought flashes through my mind.Lee.
I’m assisted into a sitting position.Am I okay? Do I need medical assistance?“No, thank you. I just felt…”Like my world was coming to an end.Where that thought comes from, I don’t know. I have no idea. “…faint.” Security moves me and my bag off to the side so other patrons can pass by in order to check in while I sit up, waving off their assistance. Frantically, I begin trying to get my sister on her phone.
I dial over and over, internally begging and pleading. But she’s still not answering. At first, I try not to flip out. She could be with any number of people—maybe she’s still in the treatment room in the spa. My fingers are shaking as I push Send again. I know I’m just lying to myself.What’s wrong, Lee? Why aren’t you answering me?I press Send for what must be the fiftieth time. I’m about to call over one of the Security team members, who is still hovering nearby, to call the spa.
But this time, someone answers. “Ms. Miles? My name is Dr. Jason Ross. I’m an emergency room doctor at NYU Medical Center. I’ve—”
I cut him off as I spring to my feet on legs that can barely hold my weight. “It’s Lee. What happened?”
“Ms. Miles, how long will it take for you to come to the city?”
I swoop up my purse, ignoring my suitcase lying haphazardly nearby. “I’m already here.”
He gives me the address and says something that gives me the fortitude to run outside. Ignoring the startled protests when I jump the line and get into the back of the taxi, I repeat the same words Dr. Ross said to me.
“Please hurry.”
Then I begin to rock back and forth, terrified.
This can’t be happening.
I can’t believe I’m IN at #Redemption! Now I can see what all the buzz is about with this #Kensington. Hey @CuTEandRich3 are you still waiting in line? Hahaha!
—@PRyanPOfficial
It shouldn’t be like this. I stare at the broken and bruised body of my identical twin sister swathed in bandages, being kept alive only by the respirator moving her chest upward and downward. The doctors are outside, waiting for me to tell them to turn it off so they can begin harvesting her skin, her hair, even her eyes.
My eyes.
But they’ll never have her soul. That was absorbed back into me the moment I slid inside this living mortuary. It was hovering in the air, almost tangible, making me believe for just a moment it could slide as easily back into her body as it did mine.
It might be my imagination, but I feel her desperation whisper on the fringes of mine through a bond that shouldn’t exist because they told me it’s only the respirator that’s been keeping her alive since they wheeled her in not long before I handed off the keys to my vehicle to the valet.Let me in one last time, Lee. Then let me go.
I drop to my knees beside her bed, clasping her hand against my chest, shaking my head furiously. “I can’t. Come back to me, my sweet sister. My twin. Don’t go away!”
The door cracks open a bit, and I snap, “Get out!”
It quickly closes. “They’re all waiting for you. They want to take you from me, piece by piece.”
You have to let them.
“I don’t have to do shit,” I declare aloud.
Lee.There’s a reprimand in her tone that’s more like me than her. But when two souls are as deeply connected as ours are, it’s not a surprise we’ve taken each other’s mannerisms over the years.After all, how many times did we manage to trick people into thinking we’re the other?I can almost hear her laughter in my mind. And it makes the pain that much more intense.
“I can’t be the one to do this. Why did you make this my decision?” I cry out.
