Everything.“You always tell me that you’re a step ahead. Am I not allowed to surprise you at least once?”
“I’d prefer it if it didn’t include other people’s lives,” he responded. Me too.
“How soon do you need them gone?” he asked.
I wanted to tell him to fuel the jet. But I hadn’t spoken to either of them. “Tomorrow.”
“Fine. I’ll be by to retrieve them.”
“Just you?” I asked.
“That’s all you’ll see.”
Got it.
“I’ll have them ready,” I assured him. Even if they’re not willing.
I ended the call and dialed Reesa.
“Hello. Have you forgiven me yet?” she asked.
“Of course. But I need you to do me a huge favor.”
“Anything for you, Jasper. You know that.”
“Pack your bags and be at my house first thing in the morning,” I said.
“Everything? I’m…moving?” she stammered.
“You are. Please, do not say a word to anyone. I’ll explain everything when you arrive.”
She paused for a moment, but then said, “I’ll see you in the morning. Good night, Jasper.”
“Good night, Reesa.”
One down. Well, kind of. I knew Reesa would be unhappy to leave without saying goodbye to our parents, or any of her friends, but she could call then once she was safely in the US.
Now, convincing Alysa might be more difficult. Telling her the truth was out of the question. What lie would make her want to leave on her own? I had nothing.
Maybe I wait till morning to tell her, too.
I left my phone on my desk and decided to go check on Alysa. She seemed to have forgiven me for being so harsh to Reesa. But I wanted to make sure that what I’d told her about Tabiq hadn’t overwhelmed her. Most people couldn’t have sat through a conversation like that without breaking down. She’d shown she was much stronger than I had given her credit for.
When I got to her room, I heard her calling out in pain.
“Ow…ow…”
Fuck!I opened the door, fearing I’d find her on the floor again in terrible pain. Instead she was standing naked in front of the mirror pulling the bandage off. Fuck!
It was too late to pretend as though I hadn’t seen anything. Our eyes met in the mirror and both of us froze, unable to speak. I walked over and she turned to face me. I dropped down to one knee and reached out to slowly remove the bandage.
She winced slightly and I said, “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to hurt you.”
“I want to just pull it off quickly. Maybe that won’t hurt as much,” she said.
“No. You could pull your stitches and start bleeding. Some things have to be done slowly,” I said.
I forced myself to concentrate on the bandage only, even though her beautiful patch of blonde curls was just inches below. Natural blonde. “It looks like someone put the tape right over the incision.”