Page 52 of Martyr
Fuck. He’s probably tried to call—and I didn’t even consider that until right this moment. Talk about being distracted. By three troublemakers: Saint and Artemis and Reese.
“Speaking of work, I need to check in, and my phone isn’t working. Can I borrow yours?”
Dr. Hawthorne leads me to her office and gestures to the landline at her desk. “Dial nine first to get an outside line.”
She leaves me alone, and I sit at her desk. Was it really only yesterday that I was sitting in this office considering breaking into the filing cabinet? And then Saint walked in…
I shake my head and dial the number I was forced to memorize.
It rings twice, then Ouranos’ cold voice answers, “Not many people have this private number.”
“Luckily, you gave it to me,” I reply.
He pauses. “I suppose you have an explanation for both your absence and lack of contact?”
“I do.” I make a face, grateful that the office is empty and Ouranos isn’t standing in front of me. “The marina suffered an incident. And with it, transportation on and off this island.”
He doesn’t respond.
“And, unfortunately, my phone was on the boat. I suspect it’s keeping the fish company now.”
“Your plan?” he clips out.
“Wait for the coast guard to clear the area and get a ferry in here. Get the fuck off this island.”
Ouranos sighs. “You’re valuable, Kade, but I do hope you know that lying makes my skin crawl. What aren’t you saying?”
I shift in the chair. Since I met him, he’s had the uncanny ability to see through people. There’s never any use lying—he’ll catch it. And apparently, that’s also true for phone calls.
“There’s been a development with my sister.” I leave the rest hanging, unsure if Ouranos would let that information slip to Gabriel.
I kind of doubt it—he’s not known for spilling secrets unless it serves him. However, this secretmightserve him. It could unravel Gabriel even more.
“Your sibling has fully distracted you.” His voice is hard. “Meanwhile, you have not found the man who killed my brother.”
Saint Hart.
Found him, nearly stole him away. Kissed him.
Thought about fucking him…
Thought about fucking him while he fucks Artemis.
My mind spiraled, but whatever. I’ve never been with a manandwoman before. The only complicating factor is that Saint can’t seem to stand her at the moment.
“I expect results,” Ouranos says when I don’t reply. “Distractions aside—you know your job.”
“I do. And…” I hesitate. “I’m sorry. I’ll be back as soon as I’m able.”
“See that you are.”
Click.
The line goes dead in my ear, but I’m slower to set the phone back on its receiver. I pick it right back up and dial again. Unsurprisingly, it goes straight to voicemail. An automated voice reads out the number, then prompts me to leave a message.
“I’m in paradise,” I say. “My phone’s out of commission, but don’t call this one back. There’s nothing new to report. I’ll be back to Sterling Falls soon.”
I hang up and head back to Lyssa’s room, checking that she’s still asleep. There’s no sign of Dr. Hawthorne or anyone else, and my stomach cramps. It’s only then that I register the dark sky and how late it’s gotten.
