“And I’m glad I came when I did.” She huffed. “He let those people go. And he’s given you and Grant more money than you could possibly need to get set up with a good life. You’re acting like a child.”
So the truth was out. Lucky me.
“Oh, good. So Grant is getting paid to help me,” I murmured. “So that you can leave me as someone else’s problem. Yet again.”
“Cut the crap, Hazel,” she said, her voice loud. “You always leave me. Not the other way around.”
The silence was thick between us. Stretching the tension we had always had. I should have been happier for my sister, but all I felt was betrayal. She had fallen for the enemy.Myenemy. She had left me in the enemy’s care.
I should have been more sympathetic. It hadn’t been Heather’s intention to fall for Zaid. You simply couldn’t help who you fell in love with. And Heather was right. I did have a lot of support now, even if I didn’t want it.
I didn’t care about rejoining society. All I wanted was to forget those whitish-gray eyes that haunted me.
Grant glanced up at us, but when we caught each other’s eyes, he resumed working on the equipment.
“Don’t you have a hike to go on?” I mumbled.
“I do actually,” she said. She sat up, crossing her arms. “We’re leaving soon. That’s why I came. To say goodbye.”
Goodbye? Since when did she need to say ‘goodbye’ before a hike?
“We might be gone for months,” she explained.
My hand started twitching. I tucked it under my arm. Heather being gone for months made me feel terrified. I would be alone in this strange city. She was leaving me.
With him.
“You trust him?” I asked.
Her turquoise eyes were full of light. “Of course I do,” she said. “I wouldn’t have suggested the reintegration plan if I didn’t.”
I inhaled slowly.Thatword. I shook my head. “All right,” I said. I hugged her. “I’m sorry for being a bitch. You two go have fun. But be safe. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
She squeezed me tight in her arms. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
***
Once Heather left, I grabbed my phone off of the counter. The small empty container next to it showed that the chip was in there now. Grant was installing a camera in the corner of the ceiling, up on a tall ladder. I plopped onto the couch.
What do you do when your sister is really just your mother?I texted, sending the message to Christine. The noise of the message made Grant look to see what I was doing. I hid behind my phone.And your bodyguard would kill you, if his master beckoned?I sent.
Is that seriously your life?Christine responded.
I know, right?I sent. Grant made his descent down the rungs, and I readied myself for more hounding.
Bodyguard?Christine sent.So not a roommate. Your hired protector.
Ugh. Hired, maybe. But whatever.You seem interested, I sent back.
The man is a hunk. Do you blame me?Christine sent.
Grant walked towards me, adjusting his shirt. It hugged his muscles in the right places, and his eyes were like staring into topaz stones. It had comforted me to sleep in his bed, knowing that he was right there next to me. Nothing could get past him. But that didn’t mean I was attracted to him. Not like that.
He’s fine, I sent.
“Who are you texting?” Grant asked.
I leaned over the side of my phone, then went back to typing. “Why do you care?” I asked.
