“He killed your step-father,” she whispered, looking out the window. “What happened to your biological father?”
Why did that matter now? It wouldn’t change how I felt about Zaid.
“Zaid saved us,” I repeated.
What could I say that would convince her that I had to do this? I didn’t want to hurt her, but supporting Zaid was something I needed to do. My gut instinct urged me to say the next words, but as soon as I said them, I wished I hadn’t.
“My mom would love to see you there.”
Hazel’s eyes flickered, a moment of hope visibly crossing through her. Mom had honestly enjoyed Hazel’s company. It would comfort her to know that I was hanging out with someone who wasn’t a security specialist. That I had someone in my life who wasn’t a hitman. Someone who seemed like a normal woman. Hazel was anything but normal, but she was not a killer. And that was comfort enough.
But at the same time, itwasn’tenough. I didn’t want Mom to get any ideas about Hazel and me, like we would somehow settle down, when my life was never meant to be steady, like Mom wanted. I was meant to protect people. People like Mom. People like Hazel. I would never sit still and wait for that opportunity.
“How do you feel?” I asked. Hazel said nothing. She stared out the window, an absent expression painted on her face. “Tell me the truth, Hazel.”
She startled at the word ‘truth.’ She blinked, then peered up at me.
“I feel betrayed.”
The words pierced me like a knife. No cutthroat insults, no curse words added for flair. The simple response made it worse. The opposite of her normal reactions. It should have been reassuring to know that she was telling the truth. But all I felt was remorse.
There were no tears in her eyes. Her once timid voice had changed into a defiant glare. Narrowed eyes, aimed exclusively at me. There was no shame in how she felt. She felt betrayed by me. I had let her down. And I knew where I had gone wrong.
I should never have gotten this close to Hazel. She deserved better.
