back to Mila.”
“You need to eat first,” Hunter argues.
My eyes lock on his. “I can’t fucking eat.”
Hunter places his hand on my shoulder. “You need to stay strong, Jase. You can’t make yourself sick by not eating and sleeping.”
Hunter’s right, but I still can’t bring myself to stay away from Mila for a moment longer. “I’ll grab something at the hospital. I just need to get back to her.”
The ringtone from my phone interrupts us, and I rush over to my discarded pile of clothes. I dig in the pants and yank the device from the pocket.
Not recognizing the number, I answer, “Jase Reyes.”
“It’s Logan,” Mr. West’s voice comes over the line. “Mila woke, and when she didn’t see you, they had to sedate her. She should be calm for a little while, but I was hoping you could come back sooner?”
“I’m on my way back,” I answer. Cutting the call, I shove the phone in my pocket and look at Hunter. “Can you pack an overnight bag for me? I’m going to stay at the hospital until Mila’s better.” I walk to the door, then remember I left my car at the club and turn back to Hunter. “Is my car still at the club?”
“No, but I really don’t think you should drive,” he says as he walks out of the door with me. “Let me take you, and then I’ll come back to pack your clothes.”
“Okay,” I agree.
“Will Mr. West be okay with you staying with Mila?” Hunter asks as we leave the suite.
“Yes, and with it being a VIP suite, the hospital won’t dare give us any shit.”
Hunter lets out a chuckle. “I’d like to see them try.”
“Let’s hurry,” I say, desperate to get back to Mila. I don’t want her waking up to my not being there a second time.
Climbing into the car, I dig my phone out and call my parents, so they’ll know I’ve gone back to the hospital.
Chapter 13
MILA
It’s a struggle coming to, but when I open my eyes and focus on the white ceiling above me, I hear voices murmuring somewhere in the room.
“We can take turns staying with her,” Dad whispers. “That way, you won’t fall behind with your classes.”
“I can do my work here. My parents already cleared it with the dean, so my professors will email the assignments to me,” Jase grumbles.
Jase.
My eyes drift shut as calmness washes over me.
“We’ll be here at night so the three of you can get a break,” Mom says.
“We don’t have classes at the same time,” I hear Noah. “We need to at least attend some of the lectures, Jase. Between Jade, you, and me, we can cover the day shift. Uncle Logan, Aunt Mia, and Ryker can handle nights.”
Shifts. Days. Nights.
This is what my life has been reduced to?
Everyone I love has been severely affected by what happened.
The thought stirs the shadows to life, and flashes of the horrible night begin to bombard me. Helplessness settles hard in my stomach as I remember how Justin dragged me toward the dumpsters.
My heart begins to thump faster, and I shut my eyes tightly against the vile images, my hands curling into fists.
I feel the vicious blows, the angry bites.
It’s like I’m watching a broken horror movie, only seeing bright flashes of terror.
The urge to run overwhelms me, and I dart up into a sitting position. Pain sears through my chest from the sudden movement, tearing a cry from me. My breaths are shallow, each one feeling like a sharp stab to my lungs.
I’m tired, not just physically. I’m shattered to the bone. It feels like my soul weighs a ton, dragging me under the wave of emptiness that keeps crashing over me.
I feel a hand on my back, and the unexpected touch has my eyes flying open as my body instinctively flinches away. Realizing I just yanked away from Dad, a sob breaks through my feeble barrier, and I quickly cover my mouth with the back of my right hand. One tear slips from my left eye and rolls down to my neck. I gulp in breaths, fighting for control over the devastating feelings.
There’s a frantic panic bleeding into what’s left of my soul as my eyes dart around the room.
Dad. Mom. Jade. Noah. Ryker.
And then… Jase.
Desperately, my eyes latch onto his.
It’s because Jase is the one who stepped right into your hell to fight off the monster.
Lowering my hand to my lap, I say, “Can…” My voice is hoarse, and I first clear