Page 1 of Voracious

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STACEY

“Do you need anything, Miss Rhodes?”

I stare out the window, watching the wing of the private jet cut through the air, tears soaking my cheeks, some already dried on my skin. I sniff, using my sleeve to wipe my nose. It’s been all but three hours since we took off, and I can’t calm my somehow beating heart as it races in my crippled chest.

The last few hours run through my head – from the moment Kade rushed me onto the motorbike, to being chased through the streets while gunshots fired, to finding out he’s being blackmailed, to that last kiss – and I can’t breathe.

Barry stands beside the small table, hands folded in front of him.

“I’m okay.” Lie. I’m not. I’m anythingbutokay.

I’d begged them to turn around and help him, but Barry said they have orders they can’t go against. Kade made sure that no matter what happened at the hangar, they’d get me into the air. I was to be protected at all costs.

I’m far too terrified for Kade’s safety to think about my own. Or what waits for me at home. I’ll deal with Chris later. My mind is on fire with traumatising thoughts of what could be happening to Kade right now.

He could’ve come with me. He could’ve taken my hand and left this behind. We would’ve worked out how to get him out of this – together. His parents would’ve protected him.

It’s over. It’s been over for two years.

He’s wrong. If it was over, then what the hell has this entire trip been? The sex. The kiss. The need to hold me. We aren’t done.

Kade told me not to speak to his father about what’s going on, but I have no idea how else to help him. What will telling Tobias actually do? Would it just cause him to spiral? Luciella said he’s been doing really well with his health and behaviour.

Telling him might jeopardise that.

But what else can I do?

Does it make me selfish that I’d risk destroying Kade’s dad’s life to save his? Do I speak to Aria? Luciella?

I’m lost.

“We need to do something,” I whisper, looking up at Barry.

“The police can’t help, so don’t bother calling them. No one can interfere.”

“There must be someone who can help him?”

“No.”

It’s a solid answer that I refuse to believe.

“Will they hurt him?”

Barry averts his gaze, shifting on his feet. “He’ll be fine.”

“Someone hit him on the head. You saw it too.”

“Miss Rhodes…”

“Stacey,” I reply. “Please call me Stacey.”

“It’s nothing he can’t handle, Stacey,” Barry replies. “You should sleep.”

They thought I was asleep in the car – like I’d actually be able to pass out under those circumstances. I heard every word they said – I’m too innocent; I’d be in danger if we spent time together – and Kade saying I should have stayed out of his life, but I was always there.

An hour later, my thoughts are still wild. Barry hands me a glass of water, which shakes in my grasp. He sighs and drops into the seat in front of me. He looks tired, as if he hasn’t slept in days. He does a lot for Kade – cleans up his messes and deals with him when he’s drugged up or drunk out of his mind.

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