32. Inés
32
Inés
S omething feels off. I can’t quite place my finger on it, but it makes my heart beat uncontrollably. When I look at him, I see someone. Someone I had no choice but to end. She can’t be a part of him, can she? The eyes and nose resemble each other the more I think about it. I guess nothing is impossible in a life full of pure fuckin’ chaos.
The pain that I see in his eyes mocks hers in a different type of pain. I can’t tell him that because if I do, where would that put me? He could kill me right here right now, and the doctors would probably assume that I died because of something happening during the surgery. I need to wait until the time is right. When exactly will that be? Who the hell knows?
I can’t wait to be cleared and get the hell out of here. I need fresh air, my bike, and to feel like me again. As I adjust myself in my bed, here he comes, baring food, and the smell is so fuckin’ good. It’s so good that my toes curl and pop. I pause, and we make eye contact.
“Thought you weren’t hungry Little Killer.” He smiles. His teeth are as white as bone, sharp enough that for a second, I wonder if they could tear through flesh as easily as they tear through my resolve. My stomach betrays me with a low, aching growl, and his smile deepens. He knows he has me.
I narrow my eyes but say nothing as he sets the bag down beside me. The scent of warm tortillas, carne asada, and onions with cilantro—coils around me like a noose. My fingers twitch against the scratchy sheets.
“Eat,” he orders, stepping back, arms folding over his broad chest. He watches me, always watching like he’s trying to peel back my skin and see what’s underneath.
I want to hate him. I want to sink my teeth into his smug, infuriating smirk and make him bleed. But at the same time, I would probably want to lick it off of his caramel-colored skin. But what I want right now more than ever is to fuckin’ eat real food. Food that wasn’t made to go in a feeding tube or made from this raunchy fuckin’ hospital cafeteria.
So I pick up the bag.
His chuckle is low and dark. “Good girl.”
“Fuck you.” I let out with sass in my tone.
I hesitate before I mull it down like a fuckin’ predator devouring its prey. I look at him and back down at the food, hand hovering, ready to dig in.
“I am not about to sit here and eat all of this by myself. It’d be like watching a lion feast while the rest of the pack just stares in horror. So, what’s it gonna be? Join the carnage, or let me indulge in my dark, twisted taco fantasy alone?”
“Weird invite, but I am in.” He chuckles, his eyes wide in surprise.
Together, we sit here listening to Law & Order in the background as we dive into these fire-ass tacos. I glance at him, a smirk creeping onto my face. As we devour the tacos, it feels like we’re in our own little world—just two predators in a jungle of flavors, savoring every bite as if it’s our last. The world keeps spinning, but I can only focus on us at this very moment alone, not a worry in the world. He seems almost perfect, but the darkness he has radiates off of him. I can’t help but wonder what we would be capable of together.
With each bite, I catch glimpses of his onyx-colored eyes, trying to avoid eye contact with me. I want him to look at me. I want to know what darkness and pain he holds within himself. I can not, for my life, understand why. I have not felt this way about someone in a very long time. Could he be it for me? The one I was destined to meet?
“Hello, I see we are doing good!” A nurse barges in mid-bite of my taco.
Ghost stands up and clears his throat. She is beautiful. Dark brunette hair up in a high ponytail. Her curves are showing with the well-fitted scrubs she is wearing. She has a bright pink stethoscope around her neck and multiple tools hanging from her pockets. Her name tag says Abigail, and it suits her.
“It’s not a problem that she is eating. Is it?” He says. His chest puffed out.
“Oh no, actually, it’s great! Most people can’t stand the thought of food after surgery. So this is perfect. I was just coming in to do my rounds and ensure everyone is still alive and well.”
She pauses momentarily, her eyes leaving him and locking onto mine.
“Are we feeling okay? Any new aches or pains? How is your pain level?”
I swallow my bite and nod, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand before answering.
“I’m fine. A little sore, but nothing unbearable. I have felt worse.”
The nurse studies me for a moment before scribbling something onto her clipboard. “That’s good to hear. Don’t hesitate to call for something stronger if the pain worsens.”
Ghost remains silent beside me, his body tense, hands shoved into the pockets of his hoodie. The moment stretches between us, thick with unspoken words. The nurse glances between us, a knowing smirk tugging at the corner of her lips as if she senses the tension but chooses not to address it.
“Well, I’ll leave you to your meal,” she finally says, stepping toward the door. “Just press the call button if you need anything.”
As soon as the door swings shut behind her, the room falls into silence again. I take another slow bite, letting the taste of cilantro and lime settle on my tongue, but my mind is elsewhere—on him.
“Do you always stare at people when they eat?” I ask, my voice laced with amusement.
Ghost huffs a quiet chuckle, finally meeting my gaze. His eyes are darker up close, like the midnight sky before a storm. “You eat like you haven’t had a decent meal in weeks.”
“Well, you are my one witness, and I haven’t,” I counter, tilting my head. “Not everyone has the luxury of someone bringing them food when they need it.”
Something flickers across his face—recognition, maybe even understanding—but he hides it quickly, shifting in his chair.
“Why are you still here?” I press, unable to stop myself. “You could’ve left after dropping me off in this hell hole.”
Ghost exhales sharply, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t know.” His admission is quiet, almost reluctant. “I just… didn’t want to leave yet.”
His words settle deep in my chest, igniting something dangerous. Something I shouldn’t feel.
Because people like him don’t just stick around, something has to be going on, and I will find out.