Page 143 of The Catalyst

“How could you do this, Nigel?” I mutter as I shove at his shoulders and move out of his lap. “You knew exactly what would happen, and yet you still hit him! How could you do that? Martin would never hurt me. It was an accident. They happen.”

He groans. “I know. He got under my skin. I should’ve gone straight to you, but when I saw it was him who hit you, I just…”

“He didn’t hit me. We hiteach other. We were bothat fault for the accident.” I’m so beyond frustrated and scared that I can’t see straight.

“There’s nothing I can do about it now, is there?” he snaps before running a hand down his face.

Hopelessness drains the life from me as I lean against the edge of the table, not knowing what I could possibly do at this point. “We need to get you out of here. What do we do? Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it. I’ll pay your bail. I have money saved up–” Well, I have the money Martin gave me from winning that match against Nigel and from working at the diner before I moved to Grove Hill. It’s not a lot, but it might cover his bail.

“I was denied bail, butterfly,” he mutters as he lifts his head. “I’m stuck in here until we at least get to the trial, which could take months on its own. There’s nothing you can do. It’s just a waiting game at this point.”

It really is that wretched. I can’t get him out of here. There’s no way for me to help him.

“They’re trying to put you away forlife,” I explain as my voice cracks.

He takes my hand in his with a nod. “I know, but it will be okay. If I’m convicted, I’ll be eligible for parole in twelve years, which is really six with good behavior.” I know he’s just trying to make me feel better, which is insane. I’m not the one who’s locked up, and…is that a bruise under his eye?

“What happened here?” I ask as I move back into his lap and notice him wincing again as if he’s in pain, but my ass just grazed his gut.

“It’s nothing.”

“Show me your stomach,” I demand, but before he can try to deny anything, I pull up his shirt and spot the miles of purple and black painting his skin from within. “Nigel,” I nearly cry. “What happened? Who did this to you?”

“Look at me, Beth,” he whispers, taking my face in his hands before angling my head so I’m forced to look at him and his icy blues. “Don’t worry about me, okay? I can take care of myself. I’ll survive.”

“No, you won’t. Nolan Gray wants you dead. One of the guards told me so, and this is proof. Stop trying to shield me from it.”

He groans before pressing his forehead to mine. “I’m so sorry, butterfly. I hate that I’m putting you through this, but I can take care of myself. I need you to trust me. I’m going to make it out of here. We’re going to be fine. We’ll move into our house, get married, and have a family, but it is just going to have to wait. Be patient and strong. I need you to do that for me. Ollie will take care of you until I get out. Just stay in my room, and don’t go back to your mom’s place.”

My bottom lip trembles as I run my fingers down his jaw.

“Nigel, I don’t know if I’m strong enough,” I confess, but he simply kisses my cheek.

“Why is that?”

The door is thrown open, and the dipshit guard from earlier stands there.

“Time’s up, lady. Get your gorgeous ass out of here.”

I scowl at him before turning my attention back to Nigel.

“It’s okay, butterfly. Go. I’ll see you next weekend, okay?”

In defeat, I stand and hurry out of there before I can break down. I don’t even give the guard a bit of my attention before I grab my phone and iPod and hurry outside.

The second I feel the cool morning air, I take in a deep breath before a sob falls from my lips. I barely have a minute to break before strong arms surround me, and my face is buried in Oliver’s chest, sobs racking through my body.

“Beth, what happened?”

He holds me as I break apart. “He’s going to die in there.”

CHAPTER 58

BETH

“Have you completely lost your mind?” Oliver growls as I buckle my seatbelt, and I notice his eyebrows pinching together with how pissed he is.

“I know it sounds crazy, but it’s our only option. I told you what that guard said!” I’m ready to punch him for his protectiveness. I can’t just sit here and do nothing.

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