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Free from me.
ChapterForty-Two
Gwen
An entire month has passed since I woke from my coma. Two of those weeks were spent in the hospital and the last at home with Malik.
With the three weeks that I was completely out of action, it’s been a total of seven weeks.
I know I came close to death. The thought is terrifying.
Everyone has been milling around me offering their support. Dru has barely left my side, and I’ve even seen Jeanne several times. Every visit displayed the sorrow she felt for the part she played in my injury.
I forgave her a long time ago, but I know going forward, things have changed.
Then there’s Malik.
He’s been a class all on his own. Just like always.
I know he’s happy to have me back and has gone above and beyond to take the greatest care of me. Like Dru, he’s barely left me to do anything, but I can tell something’s not quite right. I know it’s completely crazy to think that given all we’ve been through because, of course, things are still a mess.
His old Navy captain he was seeking justice for came back from the dead, and Malik found out everything he believed was a lie. That was enough to mess him up.
I remember Captain Davison recounting the details of how his son died and why he sought vengeance on Malik. It hurt my heart to watch Malik crumble because I knew he would blame himself. The same way I know that he’s blaming himself now for what happened to me.
He’s not talking about it, though. And that’s the thing that worries me, because he’s not talking aboutanything. Not the accident, not anything to do with Captain Davison, the cartel, or my inheritance, and not us. Above all, the latter is what is getting to me most.
We’re supposed to be going to Wilmington in two days’ time because I’ve been so eager to see my grandmother. But Malik hasn’t even packed yet.
I know we still have time, but I sense that’s by design.
My suspicion grows the next day at lunch when I return from the store and Kelly tells me Malik wants to see me in his office.
When I reach the office, I walk in through the already opened door and find him standing by the long windows with his back turned. He’s looking at the sea ahead. It’s the perfect weather for sailing or simply being outside in the warm sunshine. But a chill lurks in the air in here.
Or the coldness could just be coming from me. From that icy tendril of anticipation a person experiences when they’re not sure what’s going to happen to the thing they value most. In my case, it’s my relationship with him.
Malik faces me and offers a little smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. I’ve been with him for long enough to know that’s one of his tell-tale signs that his mind is unsettled.
I close the door behind me and walk up to him, stopping a few paces away.
“How are you feeling today?” he asks, holding my gaze.
“Better. I feel better every day.”
“Good. And you’re always a pretty sight, right from hello.” He speaks in a low voice.
“Thank you. I think.”
“That’s always going to be a compliment.”
“I know, but it just now sounded like it was a distraction of sorts. Was it?”
He touches my cheek and traces the line of my jaw. “Maybe.”
I glance around the office, taking note of how everything looks like he’s ready to work for days on end. The only other time I’ve been in here, the place was in pristine condition.
Just like everything else, it doesn’t feel like he’s getting ready to go anywhere. I look back at him, deciding I can’t stand the suspense anymore.
