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Jake and I are fraternal twins, and yet we could not look more identical than we do. Jet-black hair, night-blue eyes, tanned skin, unmatchable beauty. He is the exact male version of me. People have always been impressed with it. We just know we’re two halves of the same person.
“I can’t believe it,” he repeats for the twentieth time. However, when he starts to truly observe me, his mouth twists.
“Stop,” I huff.
“You’re…hurt.” His jaw ticks, muscles popping below his ear.
I roll my eyes at him, and it makes me too aware of the bruises on my face. “Of course, I’m hurt, moron. I just got into a car accident trying to escape the Volkov family.”
That doesn’t even get a pinch of a smile out of him. No, he’s all serious right now.
“Where’s Jamie?” I check. “After all the shit you guys put us through, you better still be together.”
Now that gets me a chuckle. “She’s in the hallway. Apparently, she’s not on the list of people who can see you. You have a police officer and a list, Ozy. Could this be more you?”
“What can I say? When my fan club hears I’m back, it’s game over.”
We both laugh, but it feels ephemeral, and a knot forms in my stomach. This isn’t going to last. I’m surprised the Volkov brothers haven’t sent someone to get me yet.
“Chris is on his way,” Jake says as he grabs my hand. “Luke is in L.A., but he’s jumping on his dad’s private jet.”
“Wow, look at you guys. You missed me and shit.”
“That’s a euphemism,” he sighs. “I…I still can’t believe it. We’ve looked for you, Ozy. We never stopped looking. Fuck, Chris spent every cent he owns…”
“Stop it, Jakey. I’m here now.”
“Yeah…I can’t-”
“Believe it. I know. Get Jamie in here.”
“Ozy. Before anyone else comes in.” He gulps, and I already know what’s coming. “Nate—”
“I know,” I cut him off. “Now go get Jamie, I want to see her tiny face.”
He gives me a sorry smile and goes to get her from the hallway. She looks exactly the same as the day I left. Petite, about half Jake’s height. Her chocolate hair is shorter than it used to be, but her green eyes shine with the same cuteness it always has.
“Rose,” she gasps. “You…you’rehere, you’re—how are you feeling?”
She walks to my bed carefully, as if she could break me if she did it too fast. She doesn’t hug or touch me, too scared to.
“Jamie,” I smile. “You still haven’t grown upat. All.Not an inch.”
She explodes laughing, tension releasing from her shoulders. “And you’re still a bitch.”
“No,” I shake my head. “I’m worse now, trust me.”
It makes her giggle as if it was a joke. How I wish it was. Sixteen months with the Volkov organization doesn’t turn you into something sweet. It makes you ruthless and bloodthirsty.
Slowly, the rest of our gang joins us. Jake’s and my foster brother, Chris, barges into the room like a bear in a China shop. His stature and large frame make the big room feel small.
We spent three years with Chris Murray and his wonderful parents. It was after the nightmare years at Bianco’s house.
Chris was my safe haven after Bianco. He was my light in the darkness. I spent three nights a week sleeping in his bed, waiting for him to soothe the nightmares and tell me that hell was over.
If only he had been right.
Our best friend Luke is the last one to arrive. It’s late at night when he finally crosses the door. With five of us in the room, the temperature has risen, and yet I still feel cold. We talk about everything and anything. Anything but my time away. None of them cross that line; none of them ask the questions they’re dying to.
