Page 55 of His Gift
I peel my eyes from the door, the sticky feeling on my fingers getting my attention. Conrad's blood, dark and congealing.
"There are two bodies behind the front desk. One is Flinn," a male voice calls out, and Irene swears. My eyes fly to her ashen face. She was talkingto me.
"No." I don't seem to be able to say more.What the fuck just happened?
"Harper, he'll be okay. I've sent two agents to the hospital. As soon as he's stable and cleared by medical personnel, he'll join you." She's so formal.
"I can't." He protected me. He's hurt because of me. I can't leave him alone. But Irene won't listen to me. She grabs my arm and pushes me toward the door.
"You're in shock. It's okay. I'll take care of everything." I shrug her away and push her back.
"You didn't! You weren't here. So don't tell me it's okay. It's not. I'm still a fucking free citizen. I'm going to the hospital, and you can't stop me."
"Harper… I've failed. I know. Everything pointed to them giving up on you. Obviously, that's not the case. And I'll probably lose my job over my stupid lack of judgment. One of my men lost his life. But you have to trust me now. You will just expose Conrad to more danger. Come with me. Let me make things right. I won't fail again. I've learned my lesson."
Expose Conrad to more danger.That's the last thing I want. My head is buzzing. There's no good choice. I feel trapped. I know he didn't want to go. That he didn't want to leave me behind. But…
Irene's arms circle me. "You're about to collapse. Smith, come here." I can't feel my face or my limbs. Is the floor tilting? No. Someone is picking me up. They don't know what they're risking. Conrad would go spare if he found out. I giggle. Do I? Who cares? My mind goes to the first time Conrad fucked me. It was wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. But right.
I told him I love him. Do I? It's the first time I fall in love with someone, but I think it's true. We've been apart for almost a year. He shouldn't still have any hold on me. He does. I want it all. The obsessiveness. The possessiveness. Him.
Hide.
His order makes me jump. The only place to hide is behind the desk. But I don't want to go there. It's scary. I'll just huddle in front of it. It's safe. But it's not. The man's eyes pin me to the floor. Conrad is fighting him. He's stronger, but the man is faster. Faster, faster, faster. There is a gun on the floor. If I knew how to use it… But they're so close. It's like they're dancing. You don't stab your partner, though. The man stabbed Conrad. Twice.
I cry out, but my hands are covering my mouth and the sound is muffled. Better that way. I can't distract Conrad. I already did when I tried to hide and I saw…
Who's winning? There's so much blood. Whose is it?
My head jerks forward, and I open my eyes. I'm in a vehicle, slumped against Irene. In the end, I didn't decide.
Is the car shaking? No. I am shaking. I wasn't this scared after the accident. Useless. I can't swing myself back to life.
Why is Conrad making that face? What does it mean, I don't have to see him ever again? I run after him…
No; I didn't. I let them take him. He didn't want to go. Will I see him again? Will he think I lefthim again?
You took away the sun from my life when you left, cruel girl.
Someone is calling me. A small, bare room. Hazel eyes. Irene.
"How's Conrad?"
"I'm sorry, I have no news, I'm cut out. My boss is taking over; he'll be here soon. You're in good hands. But I had to say goodbye. And that I'm so sorry."
I should tell her I screw up all the time, that I'm not mad. I can't. I am mad. And worried sick. I shouldn't have fallen asleep.
"Where am I?"
"Still in Ithaca. Safe house. My boss will supervise your transfer, and I'm not allowed to know where they're sending you. I have to go." She stands up, but I grab her hand.
"Your boss… He doesn't know me. He won't listen to me. You didn't listen to me. I thought we were friends!"
"He'll listen. He's a good guy. I'm sorry I didn't listen, but you were out of it and taking you to safety was a priority. I'll make sure someone tells you how's Conrad as soon as we find out."
She glances at the door, and I take pity on her. Her life is a mess. She loves her job, and it sounds like she lost it.
"Go. I understand. We're okay." We most likely will never see each other again. I can't bear to send her away without my forgiveness.
