Page 147 of SINS & Riley
Mila’s eyes meet mine, and in that instant, I know I’m right.
I lean forward, heart in my throat. “Is she okay?”
Mila shrugs, helpless. “Sabine always says trauma belongs to the person living it. But with her, something feels off. Some days she limps on one side, other days the opposite. Every time it looks like she’s improving, she slips back again. And whenever I get too close, she wails like I’ve hurt her.”
My stomach knots. I can’t even begin to imagine what she’s going through.
It makes me sick to think what they’ve done to her.
Mila takes a small sip, eyes down. “And just when I think I’ve seen all her scars…new ones emerge.”
“What do you mean?”
“The thing is, we have to document them. Not just for medical reasons, but for identification.” Her voice frays as she stares into her cup. “Some days I worry she’s hurting herself when we’re not looking. And maybe I’m not cut out for this. I want to help, but half the time it feels like I’m failing.”
I reach across the table, squeezing her hand, grounding her. “You are helping. You’re doing what’s needed. They’re so goddamn lucky to have you.”
Her eyes lift, fragile, searching. “You think so?”
“You’ve helped me more times than I can count. I know so.”
Her watch chimes, slicing the moment in two. She glances down, regret shadowing her face. “I have to go.”
The ache of unfinished words settle in my chest. “Can we…talk again? Keep in touch?”
With a slight shrug, she gives me a smile stretched between hope and doubt. “I hope so.”
Then she’s gone, slipping on oversized sunglasses and disappearing down the street.
I’m still watching her cross when movement jolts me upright—a woman ducking into the dry cleaner across the way.
Huh?
Wait. No.
Is that…Elena?
My gaze locks on her.
Not because she’s beautiful.
Not even because I can see her face—she’s doing everything possible to keep it hidden.
I know her because of the bones. Because she’s skeletal—hauntingly thin—and so impossibly fragile it makes my chest ache.
And because glinting at her throat is a green diamond necklace.
That necklace.
I would know it anywhere.
Fuck.
If that’s Elena, she shouldn’t be out here on her own. It’s too dangerous.
Was Mila supposed to be watching her? Did they get separated because she was spending time with me?
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
