Page 91 of Shadow Dance

“Is he okay? Please tell me,” I plead with the EMTs who are tending to me, squirming from their touch. “Is he okay?”

“They’re making sure he’s stable,” one of them says vaguely.

“I need to see him,” I say. “I need to know.”

“We're taking you both to Highland.” The EMT carefully eases an oxygen mask over my throbbing face. “You can see him later.”

Chapter 28

Jaime/Cruz

The pain is so intense, so all-encompassing, that I float in and out of consciousness. My body knows I can’t handle it, so it keeps on pulling me under.

Way under. Deep under.

Deep undercover.

It’s over. I’m done. Even if I survive this, Jaime Reyes is dead. Twelve arrests in the past three years and three deaths, not counting tonight’s bloodbath. Despite the upcoming raids and cascade of arrests that are about to ensue, there will be plenty of people who remain alive and free. People from both families who might want revenge for my betrayal.

But they’ll be chasing a ghost. I’ve been so far gone, so far under, for so long that I barely even know who I am.

Most of this is just dreaming anyway. Incoherence.

I can’t open my eyes, but I can feel that it’s loud and bright. Static, radio, voices. We’re moving. It’s an ambulance. I’ve been here before. Not this serious, but … yeah. We’re going to the hospital.

I keep seeing Maeve, but she’s not actually here. I wish she were here but then I’m glad she’s not. I hope she’s in an ambulance too, because the way she looked when she went down … she needs medical assistance. I’m not a doctor, but even I know that. I keep hearing her screams, her begging.

Her declaration runs through my head, over and over.Please don’t leave me. I love you.

I don’t want to die, but things seem grim. I hear them reciting my stats back and forth to each other, talking on the radio as they poke and prod me. This isn’t the time for coddling. They’ll rough me up if they have to, and I want them to.

We hit a bump and bank a corner, but I’m held securely in place.

Maeve, in a red bikini and sunglasses so big they covered half her face, her hair wound into a long braid. I knew better than to stare at Cal’s girl, but it was hard not to.

Maeve, when I realized she wanted me. Bright eyed and lusting, her nose red from playing in blow. She was in little shorts and a little shirt with no sleeves and no bra. I hated her smile because it wasn’t really her, but that didn’t stop me from rubbing one out later.

Maeve, fiddling with her bracelets and pretending not to notice me looking at her every time we stopped at a light. Blushing and letting me stare at her until finally she stared back.

Pretending for months and months. Thinking about her when I was with other girls. Thinking about her when I was alone.

First time she kissed me.

First time I kissed her.

First time I fucked her. The last time, too.

And no, it wasn’t fucking. I loved her. Well, maybe it was fucking, too. All I know is that I fucking love her.

I love her.

I love her.

I love her.

Chapter 29

Maeve

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