Page 36 of Wine & Whiskey: Everything for You
“Enrique’s dead.”
“No, that’s a lie.” Fury shifts to sorrow as the woman’s voice cracks on the last word.
“One hundred percent completely true. The whole place went up in flames, taking everyone with it, including Nick and your father. So, now I’m in charge, and you answer to me.”
Her head bobbles like a balloon, yet feels as heavy as a brick when she tries to lift up and open her eyes. The dryness in her mouth stifles the words she tries to cry out. Trapped by the frailty of her own body, she can only listen as her world disintegrates from their argument.
“Fuck you. I don’t answer to anyone.”
Mirthless laughter accompanies the hardness in his tone. “We’ll see.”
“Forget this. I’m leaving, and I’m taking her with me. Get one of the guys up here to help me.”
“Sorry, but that’s not happening. Nick’s dead, and she’s with me now.”
Her eyes burn, and tears sting her cheeks. That’s why he’s not here. She lets herself succumb to the darkness pulling her under.
Fingertips tickle her arm. Lavender permeates the air again as a soft voice tugs her back to the present, back to the ambiguity and the man imprisoning her. “Hey. Can you open your eyes? I need to make sure you’re okay. You’ve been like this for too long.”
She blinks, trying to clear the wavy lines dancing in front of her eyes. Through the blurriness, a dark haired woman frowns at her, deep brown eyes full of worry.
“That’s better. Dumb question, I know, but how are you feeling?”
“My head hurts.” Shae reaches up to rub the aching spot, and her hand tangles in the sticky crust covering her hair.
The woman frees her fingers and lays her arm back on the bed. “Yeah, getting hit by a car will do that to you.” The woman glances at Shae’s ruined dress. “If you’d like, I can help you take a shower.”
She almost whimpers at the thought of being clean, ridding herself of Juan’s blood and the shame she feels over her relief he’s dead. Yet, no amount of scrubbing can wash away the fear inundating her heart. Max was racing to save Nick too. Unable to face losing both of them, she forces herself to be numb to keep from going crazy. From going out of her mind that her greatest worry might be true. All she can manage is focusing on the woman in front of her. “Yes, please.”
“Let’s take this slow. We’ll get you sitting up first.” Her hands slide under Shae’s arms and pull her up before propping a few pillows behind her back.
The bed spins up to meet her as queasiness rolls through her stomach. She takes deep breaths, trying to quell the flames running up her chest into her throat.
“Shit! You’re as white as a ghost. Are you okay?”
No, she’s more scared than she’s ever been and doesn’t know how she’s going to get through this. She whispers to keep from sobbing, “I’m dizzy.”
“I fucking told him you have a concussion.” She leans Shae against the headboard. “I’ll be right back.” The woman walks to the door and pulls it open. “Rosita!”
After a few seconds, a petite woman with coal black hair wrapped in a bun stands in the doorway. Her eyes widen, and she wrings her hands in the white apron covering her brown dress.
“I need help taking care of her. Can you find her some clean clothes? We’ll put her in one of the guest rooms after she takes a shower.” Rosita’s head bobs up and down before she scurries away. The woman turns back to her. “I hope you’re not shy.”
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
Shae lifts her head through the haze at the harsh voice from the doorway. The only thing familiar in this strange place. Black and white skater shoes, red hoodie, bangs flopping over one eye.
Spencer.
Bile burns her mouth, and she can’t hold back the nausea at his maniacal smile. Tears sting her eyes as her body lurches forward, fear rolling through her stomach even after it empties.
His face twists in disgust. “Gross! She just threw up.”
“Smart girl.” The woman nods to her. “He makes me sick too.”
Eyes blazing with fury, he storms over to her and grabs her arm. “Fuck you! I don’t—”
She jerks away and points at Shae. “Back at you. I told you she needs a doctor. If you’re not going to help her, then get the hell out of the way so I can.”
