Atone (Recovered Innocence #2)(72)

“Whatever it takes.”

“Let me see if I can’t get them to uncuff you while we’re at it.”

“Thanks.”

She goes out into the hall. I’m trying real hard to hang on and not lose my shit. That would only make my situation worse. I can’t believe I’m in cuffs, sitting in a police station, being accused of murder. Again. I’m not at all comforted by the fact that I actually did the crime this time. I’m not proud of what I did. I’m f*cking torn up. I can’t stop replaying what happened, wondering if I could’ve done something different. If I should’ve been on the other side of the door instead of Vera. Then I could’ve been the one to take the bullet instead of her. Then what? I would’ve been down and Javier could’ve taken or killed Vera. I keep running the what-ifs through my head, trying to figure out how it could’ve gone down differently, but I don’t see how.

Damn, Vera. Why did she have to jump in front of me?

She thinks she loves me.

If taking a bullet for someone isn’t love, I don’t know what is.





Chapter 38


Vera


I’m alive.

Barely.

At least it feels that way.

Everything f*cking hurts.

I try to open my eyes, but I’m too damn tired.

—

Someone’s next to my bed, holding my hand. I can’t turn my head to see who it is. I still can’t open my eyes. Maybe I’m not alive. Maybe this is death. I want to move, but I can’t manage to make the effort. I want to ask whoever it is about Beau, because I know it’s not him with me. Where is he? The last thing I remember is his face next to mine, so I know he’s okay. Or he was.

Goddamn, I’m tired.

—

This time I manage to open my eyes. It’s dark. I’m alone. Where’s Beau? He should be here. He’d be here if he could be. Maybe he didn’t make it and I only imagined it. I try to call out for him, but my throat’s been cut with razor blades. My cry comes out as an undecipherable groan.

My body’s heavy. So damn heavy.

I try to call out again for someone. Anyone. I have to know he’s okay. He would never leave me alone like this. Something must’ve happened. Where is he? Where is he?

I can’t coordinate my arms. There’s supposed to be a call button. I need to talk to someone. I need to know what happened. My head is dead weight on my shoulders. All of my efforts serve only to wear me out and don’t get me anywhere. My lids droop. I can’t keep them open. I’m slipping…

—

The person’s back, stroking my hand and whispering to me. I’m finally able to move my head. It flops to one side. I blink at Cora sitting next to me. She’s smiling. I croak out incoherent gibberish that makes me cough. She hurries for a cup on the tray over my bed and puts the straw to my lips. I suck. Sweet, sweet water. Didn’t realize how dry my mouth was until this moment. I drink too fast and choke. It f*cking hurts. She takes the cup away and grabs a tissue to wipe the water dribbling out of my mouth.

I close my eyes, waiting for the pain to get the f*ck back. It finally subsides.

“Beau,” I barely rasp out.

She smiles, but it doesn’t go all the way to her eyes. “He’s okay. He constantly asks me about you. He’ll be glad to know your first word was his name. He’s been worried about you.”

“Where?”

“He’s okay,” she repeats. “I owe you for saving my brother.”

“Where?” I say more forcibly.

“He’s in jail. There’s been some issue with what happened. There’s a cop outside, dying to get in here and talk to you. Are you up for it?”

“Jail?” I can’t keep the panic from my voice. What the f*ck is he doing in jail?

“It’s a mix-up.” She glances toward the door. “The cop’s back,” she whispers. “You don’t have to talk to him if you’re not up to it.”

“No. Want to.”

“She’s awake,” a male voice says.

Cora puts the straw to my lips so I can have another drink. “Her throat is really rough and she’s having a hard time speaking. Let me check with her nurse.”

“No,” I say. “I can talk.”

The man comes to stand at my bedside. “I’m Detective Johansson. We need to ask you a few questions about what happened to you.”

“?‘We’?”

“My partner’s talking to your doctor. She’ll be right in. I’m going to need you to step out into the hall,” he tells Cora.

“Are you sure you’re up for this?” she asks me.

“I’m okay.”

“I’ll be right outside if you need me.” She squeezes my hand. “We’re family now.” She gives the detective a dirty look that he doesn’t see as she leaves.

I bite my lip to keep from chuckling. You always know what Cora thinks of you.

As soon as she’s gone, the detective starts in. “There’s some confusion about your name.”

I stare blankly at him. I’m not so doped up that I don’t know assuming someone else’s identity is illegal.

“Are you going to answer my question?”