Page 49 of Spark

I finally turned back to her, knowing my eyes were nothing but wells filling with more despair than they could handle.

“I’m so sorry, Holly,” I whispered, unable to raise my voice. “I’m sorry that you got dragged into this.”

“Dragged into what?” she asked angrily.

“The shit storm that is my life,” I replied, my voice defeated yet sarcastic.

“Jaden, what’s going on? Are you in some kind of trouble?”

I took a deep breath, hoping I might still be able to defuse the situation.

“No, Holly. Everything is going to be fine. You just need to trust me.”

“Trust you?”

“Yes, just trust me. Don’t worry about the records or what Darren said. Just know that I’m alive and okay and that there’s no reason for you to worry. Okay?”

Holly’s brows furrowed as she regarded me like I was crazy. “You expect me to pretend like there’s nothing wrong here? Like everything’s okay?”

I nodded with a soft smile. I knew it wouldn’t be enough, but I hoped. Good God, I hoped.

“Have you made your arrangements to return to your residency?” I asked, hoping someone was aware of her future plans.

Holly scowled. “I’m not scheduled to return for another month. Why?”

Fuck.

It’d be better if someone were expecting her like… tomorrow.

“What about your living arraignments? Where are you supposed to stay when we leave?”

“I’m still paying the rent on my apartment. It hasn’t gone anywhere.”

“So no one knows that you’re supposed to come back in the next few days?”

“No, Jaden. There’s no one to tell,” she said, her tone becoming annoyed with my questions.

I sighed, more annoyed than she was. “Do you at least have a cell phone?”

“Yes, but the signal out here isn’t very good,” she quipped.

If that were the case, there was no way Darren would be able to conduct business on the island very well. He’d have to have a good connection to get a hold of anyone, not to mention I’d never seen him have trouble on a call before. He must have been transmitting something to jam up her phone’s signal. Clever, motherfucker.

“Why are you asking me all these things?” Holly asked, her voice suddenly shaking.

“Because I want you off the island. Tonight. You should go back to your room and pack your things. Now.”

“Why? Do you think I’m in some kind of trouble now?”

No point in hiding it now. Maybe there was still time.

“Yes,” I answered sadly. “He baited you, Holly, and you fell right into his trap. Darren’s not who you think he is. He’s dangerous, and he won’t hesitate to neutralize a threat when he sees one.”

Holly scoffed. “A threat? He thinks I’m a threat!” she shrieked.

“Shhh! Keep your voice down!” I hushed her.

Suddenly, the seriousness of the situation finally dawned on Holly, and she began to shake while her eyes lit up with fear.

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