Page 121 of Just Between Us

My jaw loosens. “What? How?”

“He uh—he hanged himself with a belt.”

Something inside me falters, all the blood rushing too fast in my veins.

“He didn’t leave a note so we can’t be sure why, but I suppose we can draw some conclusions after what happened last night…” he trails. “You deserved justice, Mr Bellamy, I’m sorry.”

I still don’t know what to say but I hear him say goodbye and leave the hospital room. When the door clicks shut behind him, I focus on Cole and Kai. Kai’s eyes are wide, but Cole’s expression is unreadable. I’m not sure how to feel either.

“Levi?” Kai starts coming over to me. He sits on the edge of the bed and gently touches my arm. “Are you okay?”

I nod quickly. I’m not sure how I should feel but currently, there is nothing. Maybe I should be sad or relieved that Adam is gone but I don’t feel any of that.

A year ago, this would have destroyed me even if I knew he had done it to himself. The guilt would have eaten me alive but now I can’t seem to find it in me to care.

I only hope he suffered and felt some regret as he hung up there.

“Yeah,” I say, leaning over so I can kiss him. “I’m fine.”

He looks at me for a second longer before he nods. My eyes move to Cole and he’s watching us both with that same unreadable expression. It’s a look I know, but a look I can’t decipher even now when I know him fully.

…He’s gone. You don’t have to worry about him again.

Cole’s words ring in my head and I wonder how he knew to say that. Did he already know Adam was dead?

I meet his eyes, and I think I already know the answer to my question.

“Can we go home?” I ask.

“Of course, Evie,” Cole says. “I’ll get the doctor.”

Once I’ve been given instructions to stay on bed rest for a week, I am free to leave the fluorescent-lit hospital. Aleeta gives me a big hug as soon as I step into the house. “Oh my God, I was so worried!” she cries into my shoulder.

I rub her back, trying to soothe her. “I’m okay. Kai got to me in time.”

Behind her, I spot Kai’s watery smile. Right now, I just want to be alone with them but I’m both exhausted and hungry.

“Let’s get some food and tea inside you, okay?” She takes my hand, leading me to the kitchen. Cole and Kai follow behind, their eyes filled with amusement.

When I’m ushered to bed by both Aleeta and Cole, Kai joins to keep me company I suppose as Cole gets on a call with someone. I have a sneaking suspicion it’s about Adam or Nick but I’m too tired to pry. I’ll ask him about it in the morning.

Kai scoots up next to me, sitting up and crossing his legs in his bed. He’s wearing a simple t-shirt and shorts, and his curls have grown out slightly. He’s so pretty it’s like an eighth wonder.

“Can we talk?” he asks, biting his lower lip.

My stomach twists with the knowledge of what this is about. I can see the guilt in his eyes. “Kai, you don’t have to…”

He shakes his head. “No, if I hadn’t left you alone, Adam wouldn’t have hurt you,” he says. “I should have been there and instead I was with Kenny.I shouldn’t have let either of them near you.”

His voice is thick with both anger and guilt. I touch his cheek, hoping he can see how much I don’t blame him.

“Hey, it’s not your fault. Adam was always going to come after me. He was stalking me, and he was going to try to hurt me either way, but he’s gone now and none of it matters anymore.” I pause. “Do you want to tell me about what happened?”

Kai’s eyes widen, he looks a little lost for a second then he nods. “Uh, my stepfather—Kenny—he was released from prison a few months ago. At first, he was only sending me messages. I ignored them mostly but in Monaco, he called and demanded I give him money to pay for something I did. He’s the one who keyed your car, not Adam. He wanted to warn me.” He takes in a quick breath. “He showed up at the hotel yesterday to remind me what he’d do if I didn’t do what he asked. That’s why I disappeared—.”

I stop him, kissing him because none of this is his fault. When I pull away, he swallows.

“Wait, there’s more,” he says. “I already told Cole this when you were asleep but when I was younger, he would hit me—a lot.”

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