“Let me try,” Emmett says. He knocks on the door. “Sugar, can I come in?”
“Only you.” Emmett gives me a sad look as he turns the door handle and walks into the nest. The look isn’t cruel, I feel like he knows that the tail end of that conversation was only part of how I was feeling. That before that I said how much I love her. I can’t believe how bad I fucked up, and when she’s already having the worst day imaginable.
Dom is still standing in the kitchen where I left him. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look so upset. “Dom,” I say, still crying.
He opens up his arms, doesn’t speak. Just lets me collapse against his chest as he purrs for me. I feel sick. Hurting someone you care about is one of the worst things you could do. I don’t even know how much she heard. Did she hear me admit that I love her, or did she just hear all the horrible parts I spewed after?
We move to the living room. We don’t speak. Emmett didn’t even come out to eat pizza when it came. I feel fucking horrible. No one has heard from Shyla and I can’t help wanting her comfort, too. I’m so fucking selfish. I’ve hurt Dom and yet here he is consoling me. It’s really late and I’m shocked when Dom’s phone buzzes on the coffee table. He groans, not taking his arms off of me. When he answers the phone, his voice is so gruff I barely recognize it.
“Bosch,” he says. “Slow down. What happened?”
His grip loosens around me as he sits up straight on the couch. The look that he gives me has me sinking even deeper into my despair. I pry myself away from him and grab my own phone. I feel like I need to get away. I text the only other person who might be able to help me get through this.
Me:I really fucked up. Can I come be with you?
Shyla:I’ll send a car. Where are you?
Me:Kelsey’s
Shyla:They’ll be there in ten minutes.
“I told you that you were getting too close to this, Smith.” He sighs. “Kelsey has had a really rough fucking day.” I wince and curl into myself even more. “You know your sister. She will drop everything to be there for you and Cami. But I’m telling you, she’s having a hard time. I’ll talk to her and see when we can get there.” He sighs again. “It’s complicated. Probably almost as complicated as you fucking your client.”
I hear some argument on the other line.
“I’ll wake her up and see when we can get to New York. I know a few guys in the private sector. Maybe they can find the person exploiting her.”
He hangs up the phone. Nearly throwing it on the coffee table. I sigh and clear my throat.
“Shyla is picking me up.”
“What?” he barks.
“I think right now she is the person who can help me figure out what’s going on up here. I definitely don’t want to be alone and it sounds like you and Kelsey need to go to New York. I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to be there.”
He sighs again. “Cam.”
“I’ll be fine, Dom. I’m sorry for what I said. I have a lot of shit to work through. Just take care of Kelsey.”
“Cameron,” he says again as I stand off the couch, collect my shit and stand by the front door and wait for Shyla’s car.
“If Emmett wants to come with me, he can, but I understand if he wants to stay with Kelsey.” I hang my head and Dom groans. He doesn’t speak as he walks past me and knocks on the nest’s door.
At first there’s no answer, then a red-eyed, deflated Kelsey answers the door. She’s still wearing her renaissance fair dress, though it looks like Emmett helped her get out of the corset. She wipes her nose and looks at Dom. She doesn’t speak.
“Baby, Smith just called.” She stands up a little straighter and stares at Dom. “Someone is extorting Miss Fox, and they want some help and support.”
“I’ll shower and pack my things,” she says. She looks over at me and then looks down.
“Kelsey,” I beg.
She holds up her palm. “Not right now, Cameron. I can’t right now.”
I whine, and she shuts the door behind her. I hear Emmett and her speaking, but can’t figure out what they’re saying.
“I never wanted to hurt her,” I say to Dom, trying not to cry.
“I know that, and I think she knows that, too. I’ll talk to her when we’re in New York, okay?”