I stare at him, my stance widening. I don’t care if he’s Ghost or a killer or whatever. “What have you done to her?”
His lips twitch in what resembles a sad smile. I frown. That’s the first time he showed a hint of a smile. “The real question would be: what has she done? You should be proud of her courage. She infiltrated us in search of you.”
My heart nearly falls to the floor. That idiot. That damn idiot. I should’ve known she wouldn’t stay put in case of my disappearance, but I trusted that Liam would keep her safe. Why the hell would he allow her to infiltrate a place like Le Salon?
Knowing Elle, she probably didn’t listen to Liam like I didn’t.
My voice is pleading as I implore whatever shard of mercy Ghost has. “She’s too brave for her own good. I promise to knock some sense into her. Please don’t hurt her.”
He’s silent for long seconds. I hold my breath for the same time, and that’s when I see what I missed earlier. Ghost is… heartbroken. I relate because even though I’ve been trying to get to terms with my situation, that’s how I feel since the day I left Shadow and his maze.
“I have no intention of hurting her.” His words are confident, refuting any type of doubt. “I wanted to let you know she’s on her way here with Mist. She doesn’t know the destination, so if you like me to tell Mist to change direction, now is the time to tell me.”
I shake my head. “She can come.”
There’s no way in hell I’ll trust them with my sister’s life. Besides, I miss her so much. I can’t believe Elle went through infiltrating that world for me. That fool. I’m going to smack her for that — after I hug her to death.
“Very well.” Ghost nods and starts to leave.
“And…” I call after him which causes him to stop and slowly turn to face me. The lump in my throat doesn’t disappear no matter how much I swallow it. “Did Shadow know I died?”
“He almost killed me for it.” Ghost’s lips twitch, but it’s not quite a smile. “He also knows you staged your death, so he’ll try to come for you. You have my number. Call if you need anything.”
Shadow is coming for me.
I don’t know whether to feel excited or be scared out of my mind.
Or both.
Chapter Nineteen
Elle was never a hugger. She hated it with passion and I loved annoying her about it.
So when she runs into my arms, I’m overwhelmed with surprise and other undecipherable emotions. I didn’t know I needed this until her arms wrapped around me.
I hug her back and tears stream down my cheeks. I missed her. I missed our little, albeit imperfect life.
The reality hits me fast and hard. What did I leave my life for? Revenge? President Joe continues breathing and laughing while I’m hauled in a town in the middle of nowhere.
Elle’s shoulders shake and I realise she’s crying, too. Rage Ball never cries, not since her mum taught her that crying is for weaklings. I sob into her embrace for what seems like forever. I can’t believe I got her into this whole mess, too.
“Hey… um…” Mist trudges beside us on the porch with a flustered expression. “Don’t cry.”
Elle and I cry harder until Mist fidgets. The badass madam of Le Salon actually fidgets. I knew she didn’t like the girls being hurt, but I never thought it bothered her this much.
“If you stop crying…” Mist trails off until both of us look at her. “I’ll punch them for you or better yet, I’ll break their dominant arms so they’re useless.”
I smile despite the snot and tears streaming down my cheeks. If there’s anyone capable of doing that then it’s Mist.
Elle scowls. “Don’t do it.”
I stare at her through a blurred vision as she wipes her eyes. Mist said ‘they’, not Shadow. Just how did Elle implicate herself in Le Salon?
Mist glances from me to Elle, seeming as if she wants to bolt. “I have to go, but I’ll be back. Are you going to be okay?”
I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand. “You don’t have to return.”
Or else Shadow will follow her and find me. I’ve been barely holding on these weeks. If I see his face, I don’t know what will happen.