Arrogant Heir (The Heirs #2) - Michelle Heard Page 0,68

things were?

You were the one pretending everything was fine, remember?

But…

This is what you wanted, Mila. You wanted Jase to go on with his life.

Yeah, but after today I didn’t expect it would be without me.

He never said he wanted to be with you.

I close my eyes against the reality because it hurts too much. The disappointment and rejection remind me of what happened the night of the attack.

Jase and I never talked about him and Jessica lip-locking right in front of me while he was dancing with me.

It brings back the old anger and pries open a door I thought I had managed to shut tightly.

I kick off my shoes as I try to force the memories of the attack back. Climbing into my bed, I pull the covers over my head.

You don’t need Jase to hold your hand every day.

You can do this on your own.

The worst is over.

Right?

The bruises have mostly faded. My ribs are much better. I even got an apology today and closed the chapter on it all.

You’re fine.

I grip my pillow tightly and bury my face in it as the past three years of unrequited love and the horror of the attack flood me.

Exhausted from the meeting, and warring with myself for what feels like hours, I finally drift off to sleep,

I’m surrounded by darkness, but I can feel something behind me. It’s monstrous. My heart begins to beat in my throat as I run, searching for any kind of light.

Jase!

My lips form his name, but no sound comes out.

There’s only silence. The night is black as ink.

Something claws at my back, and then I fall. I keep falling, my mouth wide open in a scream, but again there’s no sound.

And then I hit the ground, and ice pours through my veins, freezing my body.

I feel broken, and I’m barely breathing, knowing this is how I die.

Slime coats my skin, and I see a shadow tower over me. There’s insanity gleaming from its eyes. I feel it claw at me as if it’s trying to tear me open.

Paralyzed and mute, horror crash over me.

Jase doesn’t come, and the monster tears through my flesh.

JASE

“I almost beat you,” I joke.

“There’s no such thing as almost in chess, son,” Granddad chuckles.

He called earlier and feeling that Mila was in a good place, I decided to come over for a quick visit.

The game took a little longer than I expected and glancing at my watch, I see that it’s just gone past ten pm.

“I should get back,” I say as I rise to my feet.

“It was good seeing you again. I’ve missed you for the past two weeks but understand why you couldn’t visit.”

I give my grandfather a hug then walk to the front door. “I’ll see you next week. Maybe I can beat you then.”

“Don’t get your hopes up,” he chuckles, seeing me off.

I walk to my car and getting in, I strap on the seat belt before starting the engine. The drive back to campus is quick, and I wonder what Mila did while I was gone as I take the elevator up to our floor.

Walking into the suite, I’m greeted by absolute fucking chaos.

“Call Jase!” Fallon screams, and it makes me break out into a run.

“What – ” My question is cut short when I see someone broke down Mila’s door, and I hear Jade crying, “It’s me, Mila. Open the door.”

My heart slams against my ribs as worry burns through me.

Hunter sees me and explains, “Mila was screaming, and I had to break down the door, but then she locked herself in the bathroom.”

“Why didn’t you call me?” I dart into her room and see Jade and Fallon in front of the closed bathroom door.

They move out of the way as I knock on the door. “Mila, it’s Jase. Open up.”

When she doesn’t answer, I use my shoulder and throw my full body weight against the door. Breaking through, she’s lying on the floor, curled in a small bundle.

I drop down next to Mila, and the moment I touch her, she convulses and lets out an agonizing cry that rips right through me.

Flashes of that fucking night tear through me.

Grabbing hold of Mila’s shoulders, I pull her up and lock my arms around her. She struggles against my grip, and her hand connects with the side of my neck.

“I’m here, babe. I’ve got you. You’re safe.”

Her fist slams against my chest, and then all the fight leaves her body, and she smothers a cry against