15. Easton #2
“Blame my son and your sister.” He smirks, then gestures for me to get a move on.
I head back into the bedroom, then shut and lock the door so no one else can bother me. After programming Juliette’s number into the new phone, I sit and stare at it. I have no damn idea what to say, so I start with a partial truth that I couldn’t bring myself to tell Carter.
There might be something wrong with me.
Before you panic, I mean in the head. Also, this is your brother. On a temp phone.
Sis: Thank you for listening to my husband and reaching out. I assume he gave you no choice, though :)
Sis: Also, it’s normal to feel “off” after what happened.
I contemplate how to answer, priding myself on having an honest relationship with her. But I also don’t want to stress her out.
I settle on something slightly more manageable to digest than the ugly truth.
I want to eject Julian and his brother from the plane. I’ll give them chutes, though. I’m not that much of an asshole.
Sis: I shouldn’t be laughing, but I find it adorable you’re jealous. Healthy, even.
NOT jealous. WTF are you talking about?
I’m such a bad liar.
Sis: What are YOU talking about then?
Seeing Julian and Gideon reminds me of the mission we helped them on. You know, when I almost killed Wyatt’s daughter.
Bubbles come and go.
Sis: Interesting you’re suddenly referring to Gwen as “Wyatt’s daughter.” Why?
Because she IS my friend’s daughter. She’ll always be his baby, even if she’s twenty-seven.
And really, THAT’S all you picked up on with what I said?
Sis: I’ve spent months laying into you about not feeling guilty about the crash and you don’t listen, so why would you start now?
She has a point.
At the aching pain in my back, I reach around and flinch when I make contact. Damn Jezebel. I let go of a deep breath and mentally pop a few pain pills, hoping I’ll have a psychosomatic response and trick my brain into a placebo effect.
Maybe I need to hear it one more time?
Sis: Fine. Verdict: not guilty.
Sis: But really, are you okay? What happened is just . . .
Carter already gave me “the talk.” I’m fine.
Sis: Ohhh. And how’d that go?
As to be expected.
She’s quiet for a beat before texting again. I watch the dots percolate for a while and prepare myself for her to really lay into me. What she winds up sending is not what I expected.
Sis: You know, Gwen protected me at the hotel.
Sacrificed herself so they’d leave me alone.
She’s my hero, but I just, well, can’t believe this happened.
Still shocked they managed to get to her, and Natasha blames herself since the trip was her idea.
It was meant to distract Gwen so she’d stop being so depressed.
Five of us girls. The guys were at Carter’s condo nearby, watching the kids.
I reread her rambly message. Twice. Was Gwen really in such a bad state that they had to steal her away on a vacation? Was I why she was depressed and needed to get away, ultimately making this my fault?
I pull myself together when another thought occurs to me. Wow, I’m a real asshole, aren’t I?
I should have asked you this about ten texts ago - but are YOU okay? Do you have a black eye?
Sis: A bump at my temple that’s not noticeable, that’s it.
Constantine’s not great, though. He might be extra grumpy, so forgive him.
But I do have to admit, I’m relieved he can’t go on a murder spree for vengeance.
He’s trying to be a changed man, and that doesn’t really go well with that, if you get what I mean?
Sis: Just so we’re clear, YOU did what you had to do. Self-defense. If you’re feeling bad about the lives you had to take, DON’T.
How do I tell her that not only did I not feel bad when it happened, but at the present time, I’m just fine with it? Might even take a few more. I also wasn’t kidding about throwing Julian and Gideon from the plane.
Shit.
I mentally strike that last thought from my head, because it shouldn’t be there.
Sis: Are you moving back to The Sapphire? Keeping an eye on Gwen again?
I guess I am. Told Gwen and Carter that. At least the first part of that. I never said I’d be the one to watch over her.
I’m going back, yeah, but not to be the one to protect her. Even if Wyatt asks me to. Probably better we just operate together, and that’s it.
Sis: And be her friend, too, you mean?
Acid rolls around in my stomach and pushes into my chest, and I rub at the pain developing behind my left rib cage. Is this what a heart attack feels like? No pain in my left arm, so I suppose I’m not dying. Be a hell of a way to go after all I’ve survived.
Her friend, yeah, of course. Sure.
Sis: I know you’re avoiding talking on the phone so I don’t freak out, but I can hear your tone through texting, so you might as well call me.
More like time to end this conversation.
I should go. A case to solve and all.
Hopefully.
Glad you’re okay. Will I be seeing you at The Sapphire or?
Sis: Yeah, we’re leaving soon. Most of Falcon Falls flew to Dubai to be with us. They arrived an hour ago. We’re going to the hotel together. Hunkering down until we get the “all clear” it’s safe since these jerks know who we all are.
Right. Our identities are in Jezebel’s hands, along with Gwen’s laptop. Which means that crazy woman can even use our own facial recognition software against us.
Sis: So you get to deal with me in person soon. Love you. Be safe. Praying for you.
Praying? Sure God is really happy with me. Noted with all the sarcasm in the world.
Love ya.
I shove the phone into my pocket and open the door, only to freeze at the sight of Gwen standing there, her hand raised in preparation to knock.
Here we go again.