Page 189 of Beautiful Scars

“Of course. Now if you don’t mind, I have business I need to attend to.”

The sooner we get out of here, the better.

“Wait,” Helen demands. “Cillian. Where is he?”

I narrow my eyes. “Why?”

She lets out a laugh. “Does he really think he can get away with what he’s done?”

I’m regretting every time I ever called Sarah a stupid cow—back when I hated her. If I wasn’t pretending to be Cole right now I’d probably be in handcuffs. Which is ironic, considering.

I let out a huff, running my hands through my hair. “He...he overdosed last night. They say he won’t make it through the night. But if you pray hard enough, maybe he’ll be alive for you to prosecute come morning.”

At least this buys me time to find Meisie. I guess a reasonable man would be trying to get the fuck out of dodge, but I’d rather risk arrest than leave without finding her first. Without making sure she’s safe. I’ve always maintained if you live by the sword then you fucking die by it. But I’m not going to die on my sword while Meisie is still missing. They can lock me up all they want once I know she’s safe.

Luckily Derek had the good sense to send Cole away in the ambulance as a John Doe. By the time Helen works out I pulled a Parent Trap twin switch on her, I’ll already be in Mexico.

Or maybe South Africa. Alex could have already put Meisie on a flight. Maybe. Okay so that’s a bit far-fetched considering he was a street rat rapist and not James fucking Bond.

Still.

“Cillianoverdosed?” someone behind me demands.

My heart stops beating when I hear her voice. It’s like I summoned her with my constant thoughts. That, or I’m hallucinating. I’ve barely slept at all in the last few days.

I don’t want to turn around in case it’s not real.

“I told you to stay in the office,” Helen spits.

NowthatI didn’t imagine. When I turn, it’s like I’ve been punched in the stomach. Meisie takes my breath away, always, but this time I’m scared I’ll forget how to start breathing again.

I almost grab her. Pick her up. Carry her the fuck out of here.

But thank God I remember I’m Cole. For now at least.

Surely she doesn’t think that, though?

I have to believe she can tell us apart.

“Aye. He did. Can we... Can we have a word in private? There were a few things he wanted you to know.”

There’s a flicker in her eyes. Confusion, probably. But it’s quickly replaced by realization and then a nod of her head.

“Outside?”

“Sure,” I tell her.

Helen clears her throat. “This isn’t a good id—”

“Mom,” Meisie says. “Really?”

We don’t wait to hear Helen’s argument. As soon as the door closes, I’m leading Meisie around the corner of the building to where the play park is. Out of sight. Out of earshot.

“Meisie, fuck darlin’.” I finally,finallygrab her, and I can breathe again. “I didn’t take Maddie. Cole took her. He’s the one in hospital.”

“I know. You wouldn’t—” Her voice gets lost somewhere against my chest.

I hold her tighter, as if she’ll turn to sand and slip through my fingers any minute. But I want to hold her at arm’s length and just stare at her. I can’t do both so I keep switching between the two.