Page 82 of Scarlet Angel

Yep. Not a friend.

“Did he get high with you?”

“He stuck with alcohol.”

There’s a knock on the door, and a guy in scrubs peers in, looking between the two of us with all kinds of suspicion.

“Lina, the physician’s ready to meet you. And a physical therapist. They want to do an admission workup.”

“Ah, celebrity treatment. A team awaits.” She stands, rolling her eyes, but readying to follow the chap.

“You get strong, yes? Kick this.”

We embrace, and she tightens her grip around me. She pushes up on her toes and whispers in my ear, “Keep Scarlet around. She’s good for you. I don’t want you to be alone.”

“Aye.” My sigh’s a long one. “You’ll be back before we blink.”

“I’m not so sure.” She squeezes my arm. “It’s too early to say, but I was so unhappy out there. I think…I need to go on my own. I think. I don’t mean it as an attack.”

The man at the door clears his throat.

“You take this time,” I tell my sister. “You focus on you. Heal. Get your head on straight.”

“I love you.” She gives me a final hug, and I watch as she shuffles to the door.

Christ. I want to believe her. Believe she’s going to find her way straight, but for today, I’ll have to settle with knowing she’s safe.

CHAPTER22

SCARLET

I opted to hole up in the upstairs library, as the billiard room downstairs opens onto the lawn, and every time the security personnel pass by the window, I startle. The dusty smell in the library bothered me initially, but I’ve warmed to it. The leatherbound volumes on the shelves probably haven’t been opened in generations, and many of the titles aren’t at all to my taste, but I love sitting amongst the volumes. The gas fireplace flickers orange with hints of blue, creating a warm ambiance that’s particularly desirable against the clouds shrouding the skyline.

I should find a book to read, but instead, I’ve wasted hours scrolling through TikTok on a random mobile Nick said I could use. I keep replaying a video of a Spanish guy saying, “Hello, gorgeous” over and over. It’s not what he’s saying as much as it is his tone, and comments are cracking me up. I wish I had someone to share the video with, but I’ve got no one. Orlando, possibly, but I’m on Nick’s random device so no one can track me. Reaching out to Orlando would defeat the purpose.

Footsteps sound in the hall and Nick appears. Relief flashes across his face.

“I see you found the library.”

“It’s a lovely room.”

The cushion on the sofa sinks as he takes his place next to me, looking over my shoulder at the screen in my hand.

“Who is that?”

“Listen to his voice,” I say. “I’d love to have his voice on my Siri. Some are saying he needs to be installed on the car nav.”

“Where’s he live?”

“I don’t know.” I toss the mobile on the sofa. “How’s Lina?”

“Hand me that phone.”

“Why?”

“Need to find that bloke. See who I’ve got in his area who can take him out.”

My mouth gapes, and I flail my hands about, somewhat certain he’s joking—hoping he’s joking.

---