Page 74 of For Wrath and Redemption
It's just another stupid fucking decision to tack on to my long list of regrets.
I stand and step under the showerhead, letting the hot water cascade down my body. I let the tears building in my eyes fall and stream down my cheeks. They mix with the water, blending together, cleansing me. I am the steam. I am the condensation on the glass. I am the droplets swirling down the drain.
I breathe. I breathe. I breathe. One inhale and exhale at a time.
When my head is clear, I turn off the water and step out of the shower. I dry off my body, put on pajamas, and pack my suitcase.
I have a plan, and it doesn’t involve bending to the commands of any man.
21
CLAIRE
I’mout of the suite before dawn.
Jonah didn’t come back after the final show, and I didn’t want to be there when he came to pack his shit before leaving for Scotland. I’m sure he thinks I’m gone for good. I’m sure he thinks he broke me.
He hurt me. He devastated me, in fact. But he didn’t break me, and I’m not going anywhere. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t, anyway.
I’m waiting in the lobby as, one by one, every member of The Hometown Heartless and their entourage start to join me. It’s time to go to the airport and board the jet, so I steel my spine and wait.
Mabel, Sav, Levi, Brynn, and Red arrive first. Hammond next, along with two more security details. I recognize one as Damon, which means...
Torren, Callie, and Jonah are last, with José bringing up the rear.
José is on my shitlist right now. I’ll deal with him later. Jonah is my focus. He doesn’t see me right away, but I keep my face neutral and stare at him until his eyes meet mine. I rejoice in the way his expression shows shock before he’s able to muscle it into anger.
That’s right, asshole. You’re not getting rid of me that easily.
I want so badly to smile, but I refrain. I don’t want to provoke him right now. Not when it would be so easy to make a scene and fuck up all the work I’ve done these past few weeks. No. I keep my expression blank, and I hold his eyes as he crosses the lobby floor. His jaw pops,but I don’t look away. I refuse to be the one to break eye contact. I will stay right here in this stare off until sunset if I have to.
When Jonah steps in front of me, towering over me in that way he does, I lift my chin.
“Davis.”
“Hendrix.”
“Goin’ to Edinburgh?”
I arch a brow. “Where else would I be going?”
His eyes drop to my lips, his nostrils flare, and then, surprisingly, he turns away. Pride washes over me. A victory, albeit a small one. I’m not stupid. I know this isn’t over, but I release a slow, relieved breath anyway.
Jonah stands beside me, our shoulders touching, as we wait for the cars to pull around. When we climb into the SUVs, he sits right next to me. He spreads his legs, taking up space, but I don’t shrink for him. As much as it kills me to be swamped in the scent and heat of him, I sit up straight, keep my shoulders wide, and face forward.
The ride to the airport is silent, and when we board the jet, I take a seat at the front of the cabin. Jonah takes one at the very back. This loosens another band of worry from around my chest. He’s not going to fight me on this. Not yet at least. But he’s stewing, so I close my eyes and prep myself for yet another battle. This three-hour plane ride is just a respite. The moment we’re in his new suite, I’m sure he’ll explode. That’s fine. I’ve got shit to say to him, too.
I’m roused from a very light sleep when someone takes the seat in front of me. My eyes pop open, and I sit straight up. Mabel laughs.
“Oh, shit, did I wake you?”
I rub my eyes and shake my head. “No, you’re fine.”
“You sure? It’s not important.”
I give Mabel a smile. I like her. I like all of them. She, Sav, and Callie have been kind and welcoming since I crashed into their lives five weeks ago. God, how has it been five weeks? It feels like it’s been an eternity.
“No, you’re good,” I reassure her. “I was just resting. Honestly, I don’t know how you guys do it. I’m exhausted, and I’m not playing sold-out shows every Thursday through Sunday. And you do this for how long?”
