Kat appears. “We’re trying to figure out a way to give Rebecca what she wants without actually giving her what she wants.”
I roll my eyes—yeah, I’d already figured that part out, thanks—and she sighs.
“Emma is searching for Frosty, but so far no luck.” She closes the distance, sits on the edge of the bed. “You’ve been good for him, you know. And I think he’s been good for you, too. Your eyes light up every time you look at him.”
He has been good for me.
“Do you love him?” she asks.
Do I?
I definitely chemistry him. He’s real, and he’s smart. He’s driven. He’s always willing to admit when he’s wrong, and he’s not afraid to apologize. I crave his kiss and his touch...his body pressing and rubbing against mine. I adore his smile, and his sense of humor. I love when he protects me, even though I’m capable of taking care of myself. I love the way he looks at me, as if I’m something special. I love his intensity and even his anger. He’s passionate about what he believes in.
I love that he’s guarded, and so few ever get to see the real him—I love it because I’m one of the blessed few. Just like he’s one of the blessed few to know the real me. I let him in, even though there were a thousand reasons not to.
So. Yes. I do, I realize. I love him with all my heart.
I want him to love me, too, even though he’s going to lose me.
A tear leaks from the corner of my eye.
Kat smiles at me. “Good,” she says, shocking me.
Good? She’s actually happy about this?
“Love always finds a way.” She stands. “We’re going to figure this out, don’t worry. We won’t let Frosty die.”
Thank you, I mouth.
She reaches out to pat my hand, but all I feel is a rush of warmth. “In about five minutes, Ali’s going to come in and ask if you’re up to cooking dinner for everyone. You’ll say yes, and you’ll let Rebecca watch you pour the sedative, or whatever it is, into a pitcher of sweet tea. Ali will carry the pitcher out of the kitchen to fill the cups at the dining table, but as soon as she’s out of range, she’ll exchange it for an untainted one. While you eat, everyone will discuss what to do about the situation. Nothing they say will be true. As soon as we’ve got a real plan worked out, I’ll let you know.”
Great. All I have to do now...is wait.
I’m given a couple bags of blood, my wounds stitched and bandaged without anesthesia—no need to waste it on me, I’m told. I hold my curses inside. These people are nothing more than walking lab coats, and they might actually enjoy my pain.
Screw ’em.
I’m cuffed to a gurney, the position pulling at the stitches. Screw the pain. I’m given my greatest wish: I’m left alone in the mirrored room.
Fighting a smile now, I give the cuffs a good tug. My shoulders scream in protest, but now I know what I wanted to know. The bedrail is solid.
I lift my knees and the sheet that drapes my lower body falls over my wrists. My next actions will be hidden from prying eyes. Perfect. With a few well-placed jabs, I can break my thumbs, contort my hands and slide free.
Easy.
In my dreams.
Before I can make the first jab, the door opens. A gleeful Ms. Smith strides inside. I scowl. She’s changed into a tailored dress suit—window dressing to hide the monster living inside—and while she looks like money, she smells like death. The scent of rot clings to her. Been hanging out with zombies a little too long, have we.
A man comes in behind her. The man who shot me. He’s sets a leather chair beside the bed. When Smith is comfortably settled, he meets my gaze and runs his tongue over his teeth.
Bastard wants another piece of me.
Suck my balls.
I blow him a kiss. He hisses, and Smith stiffens.
“Out.” Without turning to face him, she waves a hand in dismissal.
His hands fist. I’m sure he’s willing to strangle her to get to me. But she’s his paycheck. He pivots on his heel and marches from the room.
She smiles at me. “Do you wish you’d taken me up on my first offer?”
Hell, no. “You never would have kept your end of the bargain.”
“Oh, I would have. I tried to walk the straight and narrow to achieve my goals. Now it’s too late. I got nowhere fast, and I’m tired of your constant interference.”
Kat and Emma mentioned Smith’s witnesses, those hoping to save her. Obviously they failed.
She continues. “You and yours screwed up from the very beginning, you know. You stopped my day-to-day activities, but didn’t take away my funding. You hid my memories, but put me back on the streets. My people found me, helped me, and here we are, back where we started.”
“Take away funding. Thanks for the tip.”
She smooths an invisible piece of lint from her skirt. “We both know you’ll never have another chance.”
“Circumstances can change in an instant.”