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Chapter two
Irelynn
October7,2018,12:30a.m.
My eyes snap open and I blink a few times, confusion marring my features as I take in William’s worried face as he leans over me, clasping one of my hands in his.
Why is he looking at me like that?
A brief memory of my nightmare floats through my consciousness. That sure as hell wouldn’t make him look at me the way he is right now.
A long sigh expels from his lips, warm breaths flowing over my skin. His eyes squeeze close as his fingers tremble around mine. When he opens them, his eyes shine with relief, his ice-blue irises locking on mine. The long, thin fingers of his opposite hand press over his chest, his palm gently rubbing over his heart.
“Irelynn.” His voice is slightly shaky as he lowers his body beside my prone one, the mattress dipping slightly beneath his weight. He leans forward, a deep worried crease cutting into his forehead as his brows draw in. “Are you okay?”
Am I okay?That is a loaded question, considering I’m still having issues processing what the hell happened to me.
As my eyes narrow and I bite my lip, everything floods back to me in a rush. My heart hammers in my chest and my lungs constrict. Panic swells inside me like an ocean wave blanketing me, dragging me under the water.
“It’s okay, Irelynn. Breathe with me.” William demonstrates, his chest rising, then falling, beneath his long sleeve t-shirt.
I mimic him and, for just a moment, Max’s face swims in front of my eyes, his face full of concern. His strength flowing inside my body, fusing with mine, making me stronger.
I can’t hold it in anymore. “Will… is Max…?” I swallow hard, my voice trailing off. Tears burn behind my dry, gritty eyes and my voice comes out so hoarse it’s barely audible.
His head bows as he grips my hand. He doesn’t say anything for a few beats, and the silence drags on, my nerves stretching taut enough to snap and break.
William finally raises his head, locking his gaze with mine. “I don’t know yet.”
Tears well in my eyes, rapidly flowing down my cheeks and dripping down my chin onto my shirt.God, no. Max can’t be… dead. The sheer thought is unbearable, my heart splintering into glass shards sharp enough to cut through my insides.
I don’t want to live in a world where he doesn’t exist.
My nightmare threatens to loom inside my mind, but I steadfastly push it away.
William studies my face intently, as though ensuring I’m strong enough to deal with whatever he’s about to say. “Here’s what I know. There was an explosion at the warehouse I own. Emergency services and the fire department were dispatched and arrived about…” He pulls his phone from his pocket, looking at the time. “Over an hour ago.” He pauses for a few beats. “It’s going to take quite some time to go through the wreckage.”
“But Max was there, right?”
William nods solemnly. “My security recorded him entering the facility around nine-thirty. I’m unsure why he was there, but I’m fairly certain he was searching for you.” He swallows hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. “He likely found the plans or other documentation that shows I own it. Since it’s in a remote location in the woods, it’s safe to assume he figured that’s where I… was keeping you.” He runs a hand through his blond hair, making it stand on end.
Scrutinizing his pale face, red-rimmed eyes, and the frown on his face, I’ve never seen William unraveling. He keeps a cool demeanor that shows very little emotion the vast majority of the time.
But tonight, it’s clear he’s rattled and upset. Which baffles me, considering the circumstances.
Jumping up from the mattress I’m lying on, William paces back and forth beside the bed, his hands clenched into fists. The internal struggle that’s affecting him is evident on his face.
Finally, he stops, spinning his body toward me, defeat in his gaze. “I need to tell you something.”
My heart stops beating as I stare at him, not blinking, waiting with bated breath. “What is it?”
“I… I have a half-brother.”
We stare at each other, assessing one another. My heart resumes beating its steady rhythm inside my chest as I release a sigh of relief, not expecting to hear those words. “Okay?”
I’m not sure what to say in this situation, especially since I’m still having issues processing what is happening. The agony courses through me, threatening to break me at any moment if I think too deeply about anything, especially Max…No, don’t go there. Not right now.
“You know him.” William’s chin lowers to his chest, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt, making me nervous. His head raises, a blank expression on his face. “It’s Damian. Damian Hayes.”
