Page 13 of Whiskey's Redemption

Stealing the bag at the speed of light, Circe has it opened and is shaking out the sandwich into her lap. Watching her do things one-handed is still hilarious, but I’m glad she’s doing better now. It’s like she had to see her racer before her body would allow itself to repair.

Wyatt and her were in a horrific car wreck that took the life of his mother, and nearly cost him his own. The two of them have only been reunited for a few days, but it’s been crucial to them both. I wish it could have happened earlier. The way that China wanted the information held back from Circe, keeping them separated, was cruel. The non-disclosure paperwork that made me stay silent and not tell Circe what state Casper was in made it hard to keep it from her.

Every time I visited, Circe would use everything in her arsenal to worm answers from me. Answers Icouldn’tgive. China kept Circe in the dark. Did I agree? No. But with the legal means she took to keep it a secret, what choice did I have? With the money the Crowns’ have, I knew that legally she could crush me to smithereens, leaving me penniless. So yeah, I did as I was instructed and kept my best friend in the dark.

Circe now knows the truth, therealtruth. Not only did Wyatt tell her what happened in the car, but she knows that China is the one who kept her from knowing Wyatt’s condition.

Biting into the sandwich, Circe mouths a few indescribable words. “Mmm. So, was nu tod?”

Laughing, I taunt her. “Pardon? I couldn’t understand you around the cheese spilling from your open yap.”

Finishing her bite and swallowing the morsel, she tries again. “What’s new today?”

Other than another one of these Crowns twisting someone in knots? Nada. “Nothing. Why?”

“Well, you have that ‘kiss my arse and bite it while you’re at it’ look.”

“I wonder why,” I mutter, pulling up a chair.

“You going to tell me what’s eating you up?” Eating another small bite while I attempt comfort in these wobbly death trap chairs, she trains her eyes on me. “Tell me, Car.”

“Nothing new. Just family drama, boy troubles, shopping regrets, and I lack in the required power to get through the rest of this week unscathed shit.” None of it’s a lie. Everything I say is true.

“Carli,” she says in that tone that tells me she expects more of an explanation. I’m not in the mood for circle share time,though, especially with China evil Crown looking on.

“Well I’m sure you’ll come through just fine, Carrie.” China grins cynically.

“Thanks.”

“No problem.” She rises off the bed. “Circe, we’ll finish that conversation later,” she says, turning for the door. “Always a pleasure, Cammi.”

Okay, that’s it. My bitch switch has flipped.

“China, I thought you were the smart one?”

“What’s your problem?” Spinning on her last year Choo’s, moving in my space, I stand up. Toe-to-toe, we’re almost the same height, and I’m wanting to flatten her out on her perfect ass.

“I’m not sure I’m the one with the attitude issue,Mrs. Crown.”

Seeing that it visibly stings her, I want to take it back. No, I don’t want to.

“I’m notMrs.anything, and you’d be good to remember that I can stop your visits to this hospital with a flick of my wrist.”

Pushing closer to her, we’re nose to nose. “Oh? You didn’t get enough of blocking people with Circe? Need more attention, Princess?”

“Guys.” Circe tries to interject, but we’re both frazzled and spoiling for a fight. She can’t stop this.

“Don’t think I didn’t have investigators look into your past,Ms. Katana. Trust me, I don’t haveanyissues with stopping you from coming here. My family name still holds sway with the UCLAs Board of Directors.”

I poke her chest. “What family, Crown?” Realizing I’d probably gone one too far was around the same point the words spilled forth. There’s no taking them back, even if I could.

Without a further word, biting back the retort, China nips her lip and steps back.

Fuck, I’m an asshole.

“Circe, I’ll let Casper know you have a visitor. When you want to move rooms, we’ll get the orderlies to do the transfer.” Watching China leave, I feel horrid. Even in my worst moments, I’ve never wanted someone else feeling like shit for something I said.

As the door closes, I’m totally afraid to turn toward my friend. “Carli.” Her tone is menacing. “That was evil.”

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