Page 73 of Unclaimed Bonds
I approach Strap from behind. “Where is she?”
He jumps. “Holy fuck! Where the hell did you come from?”
I smile. “Exactly.”
He shakes his head. “She’s right over here. She washed up on shore about five minutes ago. I called you as soon as my boys described her. She’s, uh, naked. We covered her up as best as we could.”
I clench my jaw. Time slows as we approach the pier. I should have just transported there, but I try to limit exposure to my abilities. But I know Strap. I don’t necessarily trust him, but I scare the crap out of him enough to know he won’t fuck with me. We finally reach the area. A bunch of men standing around, restless.
White-blonde hair floats in the waves. Her bare feet poke through a covering. The men part, letting me through, and I look down. Her lips are pale and cracked. Mouth slightly open, I can tell she’s breathing. Thick eyelashes shadow her cheeks.
I crouch and touch her cheek. She’s cold. Despite some confusing changes, without a doubt, it’s her.
Standing, I reach into my pocket and hand Strap a wad of cash. “Pay your men and keep your mouths shut.”
I scoop her into my arms and walk back the way I came. When I’m sure no one is around, I slip into the shadows and take Jessica home.
Chapter 34
So Many Changes
JESSICA
EIGHT YEARS AGO:
November 12, 2016: 7:16 a.m.
Emerald Pack Clinic
Iwake up to the bright light of the morning rays streaking in through the window. I blink a few times and realize this isn’t my bedroom. I’m in the clinic. Slightly confused at how I got here, I survey my surroundings.
No machines beep, and as I roam my hands over my body, no tubes or needles protrude from anywhere. I instinctively reach for my throat. There is no hole, just the puckering of a scar where once was.
My mouth is dry, like I swallowed sand. Pulling myself into a sitting position, my hand accidentally bumps a head with long black hair. Emily. I smile and gently massage her scalp with the tips of my fingers.
She groans. I roll my eyes. This girl can sleep like the dead, heavier than the twins. If we were ever under siege, the attackerswould think they were dead and leave them alone. I apply more pressure.
She moans, briefly lifts her head to squint around, and plops her head back onto her arms.
I shake my head. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth, and my stomach gurgles. I guess I’m hungry, too. I press the call button and continue to rub Emily’s head while I wait.
My door flies open. Ean barks, “Emily! This isn’t room service. We don’t—” He stops when he notices me sitting there, eyes open, stroking Emily’s long hair. “Little One,” he whispers.
I start to laugh, but it sounds like a wheeze before I cough.
He turns and closes the door, leaving me coughing and choking to death while Emily continues to sleep. He finally returns with my nurse, Mimi.
Ean wakes Emily. When she awakens from her sleepy haze, she lunges at me in a strong embrace and begins to cry. “I’m so sorry! So sorry! I shouldn’t have left you alone.”
I rub her back. “I’m fine,” I whisper. When she pulls back, I wipe the tears from her face.
“What happened to you? You looksodifferent.” She lightly tugs on my hair.
I glance down at the strands of blonde hair in her hand and run my fingers through the long strands, as I just did to Emily. Definitely mine, attached to my scalp. I lift the strand closer to my face to examine it.
Emily watches me. I simply shrug.
Dr. York enters the room. “Jessica, you’re awake.”
