Run To Me (Lazarus Rising #4)(20)

Elizabeth was also the doctor who’d first created the Lazarus serum.

Elizabeth and Jay.

Why hadn’t they told her?

“Didn’t know that? Oh, right, you’ve probably met her, haven’t you? Jay still keeps her around. Says they are just friends, if you believe that lie.”

Willow’s temples were pounding. “You hate him.”

“I hate that he pretends to be something he’s not.”

“You said that he was a monster.”

“He grew up dirt poor, did you know that? On the streets? And it did something to him. Made him savage. Wild. Jay will do anything to get what he wants. I’ve seen him destroy competitors, wreck companies, break lives, and never hesitate.”

Someone pounded on the door.

“Go away!” Reva snapped. “We’re busy in here!”

“It’s the frickin’ bathroom,” a woman’s disgruntled voice snarled back.

But Willow heard the sound of her footsteps stomp away.

“He’ll sweep you into his world.” Reva’s eyes were chips of green fire. “And then when he’s done, he’ll leave you and never look back.”

Willow studied her. Tried to see past the other woman’s rage. “You don’t hate him. You…love him?”

“No.” Reva backed up. “Of course, I don’t love him! But I put in the time. Do you understand? Do you know how much money that man is worth? He’s—”

“You’re mad because you want his money or him?” She was trying to understand.

“I want both!” Reva snarled.

“This is a waste of time.” Willow kept her voice brisk. “You said that you were going to reveal his secrets, but you didn’t tell me anything of the sort. I knew he grew up hard. I knew the two of you were involved.” She hadn’t known about Elizabeth, though. “Unless you’re the one trying to kill him, we’re done.”

And there it was—Willow heard the furious and wild beat of Reva’s heart accelerate.

“Never!” Reva cried out. “I wouldn’t do that! He’s no good to me dead. I wouldn’t—”

“I believe you.” Because Reva wanted Jay back in her life. She didn’t want him in the grave. “Now we’re done.” One suspect eliminated. She headed for the door.

But Reva grabbed her hand. “We’re just getting started.”

“You shouldn’t have done that,” Willow whispered as she stared down at Reva’s hand. But it was too late now. Some people projected their emotions so strongly—they all but screamed them. Reva was one of those people. Her emotions bubbled and burned as they erupted from her. When Reva touched her, Willow didn’t even have to pull up her powers.

She was immediately hit with Reva’s fears. They slammed into her mind, tumbling straight at her, over and over again. A sharp cry broke from Willow because she hadn’t expected Reva’s worst fear to pierce so deeply.

***

“It’s the ladies’ room, man,” West argued as he stood in front of Jay, blocking the way. “And it’s Reva. The woman can’t hurt Willow, and you know it.”

“There are all kinds of ways to hurt in this world, and you know that.” The words erupted in a hard snarl.

West’s brows shot up. “Does that mean that you hurt Willow?”

Yes, he just had, dammit. “I’m going in—”

Then he heard Willow’s cry. Sharp. Pain-filled. Jay shoved West out of his way and grabbed for the door. When it didn’t open, he kicked the thing in. “Willow!”

She was on her knees. Reva was touching her shoulders. At his cry, Reva spun toward him. Her eyes widened when she saw his face. “I didn’t do anything to her!” Reva yelled even as her hand flew over Willow’s hunched form. “I swear it! I only grabbed her wrist to stop her from leaving and your girlfriend freaked the hell out! She’s psycho!”

“Stop. Touching. Her.” But Jay didn’t wait for Reva to let Willow go. He bounded across the room and scooped Willow into his arms.

“Some bodyguard,” Reva muttered. “More like a drama queen. She—”

“She doesn’t want to be on the streets again.” Willow’s voice was low and flat, totally devoid of emotion. “She thought the streets would be better than home, they hurt her so much there. Over and over, but when she got on the streets, she didn’t have any money. She has to have money. Because when you don’t have money, you’re vulnerable. They’ll make you do things. They’ll make you—”

“Shut the hell up!” Reva’s enraged shriek.

The little room went dead silent.

West stepped inside, and he pushed the broken door shut behind him.

Reva stood there, her body shaking and her face stark white. She lifted a trembling finger and pointed at Willow. “How do you know?”

Because that was Reva’s worst fear. Jay knew it. He hadn’t needed Willow to tell him. Reva had always feared others would find out about her darkest truths. The pain she tried to hide.

“Let me go,” Willow whispered to Jay.

He didn’t want to let her go. He wanted to keep right on holding her, but she was pushing against his arms. So he lowered Willow to her feet, and he stayed close to her.