Page 114 of Just Between Us

Oliver gives me a thin smile and nods. “I know,” he says. “But when Kai found him, he was nearly unconscious. I don’t think we can know what really happened until he wakes up.”

My blood is rushing through me. Levi is somewhere in there and they are pumping his stomach. Scenarios I’d rather not think of rush through my mind but Kai. Where is Kai?

“Where is Kai?” I ask.

Harry ducks his head slightly and chews on his bottom lip nervously. “He uh, he left, sir.”

“He left?” I repeat.

Harry nods, pursing his lips. My jaw clenches and I have to take in a quiet breath to steady the storm raging inside me. If he lost Kai, he’ll be the first one I kill.

“But I have someone following him,” he rushes out. “He hasn’t left the building. I believe he’s downstairs in the general waiting area.”

I’m acutely aware of everyone watching our exchange with careful eyes but I don’t care. I need to find Kai. I need to make sure he’s okay. I look at Oliver. “Call me if the doctor says anything?”

Levi’s dad nods, holding onto Raina tightly. “Of course. Go,” he says, waving me off a little.

Adrenaline is pumping through me as I rush downstairs, using the stairs instead of the elevator. I rush past the entrance hall, ignoring the stares from nurses and doctors as I make my way to the waiting area.

My heart is racing in my chest, my eyes scanning the sparse crowds made of patients, cleaners and late visitors. Finally, I spot him, sitting alone in a chair, his head buried in his hands. A quiet breath leaves me as I watch him, relief washing through me, calming every single worry that had settled inside me.He’s fine. He’s here.

“Kai?” I say softly, walking up to him.

He looks up, his eyes meeting mine and his lips parting. A mess of curls sits on his head and his eyes are rimmed scarlet, wet with tears. He sniffs, the surprise obvious in his eyes. “Cole,” he whispers. “I—”

I hold his face in both my hair, brushing away a stray tear with my thumb. “Why aren’t you upstairs, princess?”

He flinches in my hold and opens his mouth before closing it again. “I—I don’t think I should be here anymore,” he says, pulling away to stand a few feet away from me.

It stings.

“I’ve messed up badly, Cole. I left him alone. I’m so sorry. He was all alone, and I wasn’t there.” His body begins to tremble, tears rolling down uncontrollably.

I don’t care if he pushes me away, I pull him into a tight hug, running a hand down his back. I hate seeing him like this and despite my need to be upstairs with Levi, I know I need to be here too. I need to make sure Kai is okay. The feeling is almost instinctual. Kenny flashes through my mind but I bury him deep for now.

“Kai, it’s okay,” I say, pulling away. “Tell me what happened?”

His face is red, but he sucks in a quiet breath, “I had to—” he falters, shaking his head but I know what he means. He had to meet Kenny.

“He wasn’t where I left him. Someone said they saw him leave with Adam. I don’t know what happened but when I found him, he was alone and then he just started convulsing on the floor. I’m so, so sorry. I should have been there. I shouldn’t have left. I messed up. I was going to leave but I couldn’t, not until I knew he was okay.”

I frown. “Why would you leave?”

Kai averts his gaze. “Because everything that is happening is my fault,” he says. “His car, and now this. I don’t want either of you to get hurt because of me.”

Realisation dawns on me. Kenny must have keyed Levi’s car as some kind of warning to Kai.

I focus back on Kai, touching his cheek so he looks at me.

“Kai, listen to me, none of this is your fault and there is no way in hell I’d ever allow you to walk away from us again.”

Adam must have slipped Levi something earlier in the night without either of them noticing. If anything, it’s my fault I didn’t get rid of him the moment Levi told me the truth.

Kai shakes his head. “No, you don’t understand. There are things about me I haven’t been fully honest about. I—”

“I know about Kenny,” I say, cutting him off.

His eyes widen and he takes a step away and out of my grip, shaking his head a little. “H-How?” he asks.

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