Page 203 of Wicked Proposal
Like they killed yours.
I don’t realize I’ve spoken until Mia says, “What?”
“It’s my fault.”
There’s a phone in her bloodstained hand.She must’ve called 911.I have no memory of her picking it up, or taking off her coat to press against Kallie’s wound. No memory of Maksim clutching Kallie’s hand and whispering sweet nothings in her ear.
All I can think of is the blood still gushing from Mia’s shoulder.
“You’re hurt,” I rasp.
“It’s nothing.”
“It’s not nothing.”
“Kallie takes precedence,” she snaps.
“Let me look at it.”
“Later.”
“No. You need?—”
“I don’t care what I need!” she cries out.
“I do,” I croak. “I?—”
She ignores me, applying more pressure on Kallie’s wound instead. Her phone drops to the grass as she uses her other hand to slap lightly at her friend’s cheeks. “Stay awake, Kal. I need you to stay with me now. Don’t fall asleep.”
“Listen to her, love,” Maksim murmurs. “It’s too soon to leave the party. They haven’t even brought out the cake.”
Kallie’s eyes are glazed over, her lips pale. She’s shivering from head to toe, gurgling out words that aren’t words, her pupils wide and unfocused.
“I did this,” I whisper, barely realizing it. “I should’ve taken more precautions. I shouldn’t have taken you here. After Brad’s wedding, I knew this might happen, and I still?—”
Mia’s head snaps towards me. “What did you just say?”
Shit.
Clarity returns to me. “Mia?—”
“Youknew?” Disbelief flashes across her face, then realization. “Brad’s wedding,” she whispers. “That was you?”
I’ve felt the world crumble around me once. I had no idea it could happen a second time. That it could feel like this.
Like I still had something left to lose.
“Let me explain?—”
“You—” I can see her mind working, connecting dots I’ve prayed she never would. “Your enemies. The ones who killed your family. You never told me what happened to them.”
“Mia, please.”
“They’re still around, aren’t they?” Her eyes go wide with horror. “They’re trying to finish what they started. And this whole time—” Her voice catches, every piece finally falling together in her head. “Were youusingme?”
I keep silent.
“Say I’m wrong,” Mia begs. “Say it’s a lie. Say you didn’t know.”
