Page 33 of The Burnt Heart

Few people had ever seen her like this, with all her walls and masks undone. She looked peaceful, unguarded. The sweetest buffet I could imagine. I gorged myself on her. Fed on her fluttering dark lashes, faded lipstick on gently parted lips, small hands curled up under her chin, the messy strands of blonde hair. It filled my soul more than any meal ever could, even though it was stolen. I was thankful for it. The pain in my arm dulled as I watched Adelaide. I wanted her closer, curled up next to me, but I would take anything, any scrap, any crumb.

“I got a letter from my birth mother.” The words traveled over to her, tentative. Adelaide’s inhaled sharply, telling me she hadn’t been sleeping at all.

“Your birth mother? What did she–never mind...” Adelaide launched up before trailing off, her nose hiking toward the ceiling. She didn’t want to ask because that would mean she cared. I cleared my throat, determined to tell her any way.

“It was an apology. She explained why she had given me up and hoped that we could reconcile one day. She is married now and has two daughters. I have half-sisters.” The idea of me having siblings was something I still hadn’t processed. I’d received her letter just before Antoni Orazio’s men put me in the hospital. Everything went on hold while I waited to see if they would use my family against me. Being in Adelaide’s life wasn’t a danger to just me. He’d threatened my mother and her family as well. Another secret I’d kept from Adelaide.

“Are you going to meet them?” Adelaide asked softly, unable to help her curiosity.

“I don’t know.” I shrugged and winced as it moved my arm. “She was only fifteen when I was born. Her parents threatenedto throw her out if she kept me. She said she thought about me all the time but had so much shame about abandoning me.”

Adelaide’s hand pressed to her stomach. And I know she was thinking when her chance to be a mother was stolen from her.

“You should. At least one meeting,” Adelaide urged, giving me a brittle smile.

“Would you come with me, maybe? I’d love for her to meet my soulmate,” I grinned. Adelaide made a disgruntled noise, folding out of the chair.

“Ex-girlfriend. You can explain to her why you broke up with me.” She crossed her arms in front of her chest. I loved the flush of red that filled her cheeks. There were so many reasons we had broken Adelaide’s heart. I wanted to tell her the full truth, but the enormity of it caught in my throat. What if she heard our story and thought us pitiful? Realized her father was right about us all along? Worse, what if she didn’t believe us?

“Is my wallet here?” I asked, remembering something.

“In the cupboard,” she replied, looking annoyed afterwards.

Hope swelled in me.

“There should be a slip of paper inside. It’s for you.”

Adelaide rummaged through the cupboard with a stiff back. I watched as she slowly unfolded the paper and read what I’d written. I’d been prepared to give it to her when I’d crashed her ‘date’.

Teppanyaki at Sese and a drink (or two) at the rooftop bar next door.I’d sent her one a week for each date she went on with Ray. I could do better than him, and I would. Now that two months were up. I bit back a curse as the door creaked open, startling Adelaide. Ray walked through, white teeth flashing, a look I didn’t trust at all.

18

Adelaide

“Ifound some friends,” Ray said, stepping to the side to reveal Logan, Briar and Lara. And Beck Goldman, the new police chief. The latter strode in like a panther released from a cage. I clamped down the surge of adrenaline and kept my face stony. He latched onto Jesse with a grim smile.

“I’ve been waiting for you to wake, Mr. Stokes. I have some questions for you.” He pulled his phone from his pocket in readiness. Jesse waved a limp hand, seeming exhausted all of a sudden.

“I’m not quite up for questioning. My throat is still healing,” he rasped, rubbing his neck. The Chief’s eyes flashed with frustration. Jesse was a good actor. I’d give him that.

“You only sustained a graze on your arm, correct?” He scowled, eyes flicking to the bandage on his arm. He continuedto rub his throat, reaching feebly for the glass of water perched on the side table. Lara wandered over and pressed it into his hand with a smothered grin. I swallowed past a lump in my throat at the white material wrapped around his arm. I’d spent five years making sure my world didn’t touch them, but it hadn’t helped. My neck ached, the shallow cut there a constant reminder of the attack.

“You want to speak to your friends, perhaps?” Lara prompted, looked down at Jesse. “Maybe I can keep you company for half an hour, Chief. Jesse might feel up for questioning then?”

Ray tried to interrupt, but I clamped a hand on his arm. Logan and Briar had shuffled close to me, and Briar had a strange, slack jawed, euphoric expression on his face. The energy exuding off him was unnatural. I wanted the chief out so I could work out what was going on.

“Thanks Lara, that would be such a great help.” Jesse beamed at her, speaking normally. His injured act dropping for a moment. Beck grumbled as Lara ushered him to the door.

“So, he can speak? It’s obstruction of–” his indignant tone trailed off as Lara led him away. Jonah poked his head in with a pinched expression.

“Boss, should I make sure Lara is safe? You have two other men out here.” His fingers fidgeted with the door. I waved him off. Whoever had attacked me wouldn’t try again tonight. Not with the hospital crawling with our men.

“Good idea. Make sure that slimy cop doesn’t get any ideas,” Ray added, shoving his hands in his armpits to contain them. Jonah closed the door, and the room suddenly felt suffocating.

“Adelaide,” Briar breathed. “You’re here.” He inched forward, breathing shallowly like he didn’t want to spook me. The gold flecks in his eyes shone like glitter.

“I was just leaving.” I didn’t give him anything. All my vulnerable parts were behind thick armor. “Can you organize a ride, Ray?”

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