Chapter 17 Jo #2
Her cheeks flush, and her eyes flash with something that I might have thought was outrage if she wasn't so timid.
"Yes. As soon as the orderly gets here, we'll have him take them off.
I was supposed to wait for him before coming in, but…
" She glances quickly behind her before leaning in close.
Her whispered words come out so quickly, I almost don't catch them.
"I know you won't hurt me, Jo. You only hurt people who deserve it.
I can't say much, but…a name." Her eyes close for a second, and it looks like she's summoning the courage to say whatever name she wants to say. "Joshua Barone."
The name hits me like a punch to the gut as realization dawns on me, and tears sting my eyes.
Joshua Barone. Seventy-one year-old CEO of TC Tech, number six on my hit list.
He was a monster. Years and years of victims threatened or bribed into silence, with the backing of the Vasiliev Mafia family.
"You?" I ask, my voice choking. "Or…?"
"Me." Her own eyes are glassy as she grasps my hand. “I was eighteen.” My heart clenches.
He hurt her, and I killed him. The door behind her creaks open, and I nod wordlessly at her, a single tear running down my cheek. I can't even wipe the damn thing away. But I know she won't hold it against me. With one name, Helaena has just confirmed that I can trust her.
"Everything okay in here?" The sound of Sam's voice fills me with relief. I had honestly been expecting Banesworth, but seeing Sam almost made me…happy. Which is strange because I've had one full conversation with the man.
"Peachy-keen, Sammy-boy." I give a half-hearted wink. "Nurse Helaena here was just comfortin’ me and my crocodile tears about still not being trusted enough to be in a hospital bed uncuffed. I haven't stabbed anyone in nearly a week." Nevermind the fact that I’ve been unconscious two of those days.
His eyes dart to Helaena for a split second before he comes over to me, pulling a set of keys from his pocket.
Helaena scoots out of the way to give him some room, and he leans over me, unlocking the cuffs.
My mind expects to be enveloped in his whiskey and coffee scent, but when nothing fills my nose… my brain short-circuits.
If my omega weren't in a steel box, I'd be whining, but it still bothers me that I can't scent him. His safety. Comfort. So instead of an omega-whine, a stifled sob comes out.
It's ridiculous. I'm ridiculous.
I'm also bone-deep exhausted, which is what I'm going to blame my next actions on.
When Sam curses and sits on the bed, holding his arms out to me, I crawl into his lap, holding on tight as a rusty alpha purr makes its way out of his chest. "Will you lock the door, Helaena?" She says nothing, but I hear the click of a lock.
This can't be allowed. He'll get in trouble, I'll get in trouble, Helaena will get in trouble…but I can't find it in myself to pull away. His strong, warm hands clasp around me in a movement that's pure comfort, and I find myself letting go for the first time in…ever.
I've never cried like this, and certainly never in the arms of an alpha.
This isn't just tears for my current lack of designation. It's all the pent up emotion and heartbreak I've felt for the last five years. Mourning for my sister, who would never hurt a fly. Tears for my lost childhood.
His purr vibrates through me, and even though my omega is locked in a cage, it still relaxes me in a way I'm sure is similar to how it would affect a beta lover.
No. Not lover.
A beta…hysterically sobbing into his dark blue scrubs.
"Shhh…it's okay, omega," Sam soothes, his hand running up and down my back. "You'll be okay." I don't correct him. I don't tell him that my omega has been locked away and I have about as much instincts as a newborn sheep.
I sob as Helaena comes over and removes the tape and IV from my hand, as well as the heart-rate monitors.
Finally, after what feels like forever, I get my breathing under control. I remove myself gingerly from his lap, wiping the last of my tears from my eyes. "I apologize, Sam, for usin’ you like a tissue." I try to make my voice lighthearted, but it comes out rough.
"You don't have to be the strong one with me, Jo." Sam's voice is so quiet I almost think I might have misheard him, but he actually looks like he can't believe he said that out loud. Then Helaena is in front of me, offering me a wet paper towel to wipe off my face.
"Here, sweetie. Sam will step outside while you get dressed, and then he'll walk you back to your room to get some rest."
Smiling tightly, I nod, and once the door closes behind Sam, she locks the door again.
"Was that okay?" She whispers, grabbing my hands. "Him holding you? I feel like you would have said something if it wasn't, and Brooks can never know, but—"
I cut her off with a shake of my head. "It was fine. I needed it. I like Sam. He…he makes me feel safe."
"If anyone deserves to feel safe, Jo Harding, it's you." She gives me a smile that reminds me of Mama again, and grabs one of my jumpsuits from the table so I can get dressed.