AllFreeNovel
Share Us
But it’s empty. The area behind the glass separator is dark and silent.
I grab the handle of the door leading back and twist it, yanking harder as I fight the lock holding it in place.
This can’t be happening.
Dr. Marshall wouldn’t have done this to me. He knows without this drug my mother will—
I drop my forehead to the door as my whole body goes limp. Gravity pulls me down, dragging me to the floor.
I worked so hard. Did everything I was supposed to do.
“Paisley honey?” LaShawn rushes up to me, scooping me up and holding me against her soft chest. “What’s wrong? Are you sick?”
I can’t answer her. Wouldn’t if I could.
Nothing matters. Not anymore.
I hear Julian talking, but I don’t care enough to worry about what he’s saying.
The person I love most is going to leave me, and there’s nothing I can do about it.
I’m numb and aching at the same time. So broken the pain doesn’t even register.
Nothing does.
Not until a sharp voice cuts through the weight pressing down on me. “Move.”
LaShawn’s gentle arms leave me, replaced by a hold that’s tighter.
Firmer.
But just as careful.
“Look at me, Paisley.” Andre’s hand comes to my face, stroking along my cheek.
I manage to meet his gaze. The fear and worry etched there shifts almost immediately, his expression turning hard and unyielding as his face snaps toward Julian. “Take care of Rhonda.”
The mention of my mother has me trying to get up. “I’ll take care of her.”
“No.” Andre holds me tighter, but his voice is soft. “Not right now.” He lifts me off the floor, keeping me close.
“But I need to take care of her.” I fight his arms. “She will want—”
“She will want to know that you are taken care of.” Andre starts walking, his steps long and strong as we move through the hospital, attracting more than a little attention. “So that’s what I’m going to do.”
He slides into an elevator just as the doors close, standing tall and silent as the other people inside watch us with questioning eyes.
Andre steps out of the elevator as soon as the doors open. Victor is waiting on the other side and immediately falls into step beside us.
“Rhonda is on her way down with Julian and LaShawn. Make sure she’s taken care of.” Andre barks out the order as he carries me toward the main entrance. Without a word Victor turns and goes back to the elevators, dutifully carrying out Andre’s demand.
We step outside and Sal is already there, waiting at the curb to pick us up. He opens the back door and Andre slides me in before sitting down next to me and pulling me across his lap, one hand cradling my head close as we pull away.
I stay silent as we drive, eyes burning, throat tight as the reality of the situation sinks in.
We pull up in front of Andre’s building and he slides out before reaching for me.
I hold one hand up. “I can walk.”
