I felt hammered. As if his voice were fists, delivering blow after blow. “He asked you to keep me away from him?”
“He made me promise I would never let him fall in love with anyone. That he wouldn’t be able to survive it. That he’d do things he’d regret and would probably either end up killing the person he’d fallen for or killing himself.” He sighed. “Seems like he was right.”
A headache formed along with deepest heartache. “When...when did he ask you this?”
“He was twenty-something. Just killed his parents. His trust was at an all-time low. He’d waged war on test animals being released and drowned himself in work. One day, he rescued a cage of cats that’d been used for testing laxatives of all things. The poor things couldn’t stop vomiting or shitting their guts out. He stabilised them. Got attached. They relapsed, and the vets told him that it was their choice to live or die. He didn’t buy it and administered one of his own drugs that’d showed promise in rapid rejuvenation.”
“What happened?”
“They haemorrhaged, dying a messy, miserable death, and I guess he just snapped. He came back that night covered in blood. Whose blood I don’t know, but it was the start of his new crusade of fighting wars, not just in courtrooms with lawyers, but in vicious, violent revenge. He got drunk and made me vow never to let him get close to anything.” He shrugged. “I promised. And I’ve done my utmost ever since.”
Glancing at me, he half-smiled. “The thing is...I know him, and I know you affected him the moment you arrived. His shields shattered. He was hurting. I didn’t want him to suffer, so I did what he’d asked, even if he cursed me for getting in the way. But...” He sighed, rubbing his chest again. “You have to understand, it was never personal. I like you. When he told me to call the guest that afternoon...that you were willing to serve in Euphoria, I knew he was bluffing. There was no fucking way he could hurt you that badly. Not after he’d fallen so hard for you. I figured it was more about hurting himself, so I gave him space. I kept the goddesses in their villas, and the guests far away so you guys could figure shit out.”
He coughed and winced. “You’re welcome by the way.”
I couldn’t move.
Or blink.
Or speak.
Cal wasn’t my enemy.
He was just a friend.
A loyal, helpful friend who would always have Sully’s back.
He would do anything for him because Cal was the only family Sully had ever truly had. The only person he could trust...until me.
Something slotted into place inside me.
Affection sprang from wariness, and I turned to Cal with deep respect but also a healthy dose of suspicion. A slightly crazed laugh fell from my lips. “Now that your secret is out and you’re not such a prick, after all. Let me guess...you’ve already freed the goddesses? Here I am, ready to go to war with you, and you’ve already done what Sully requested.”
He smirked. “Think you’ve figured me out, huh?”
“I think you love him and would honour a man’s dying wish.”
He raised his hand, mock horror on his face. “I’m not in love with the bastard if that’s what you’re implying.” He sighed dramatically, almost as if theatrics could hide the truth. “I’m interested in someone else entirely. You and I have a lot in common currently, Jinx.”
I froze.
Who...
His eyes glittered. “In fact, I know exactly how you feel. The anger at them just lying there. The helplessness that you can’t wake them.” He blinked as if he hadn’t meant to say such things.
Oh, my God.
Jealousy.
He’s in love with Jess.
Images of them walking together. His arm slung over her shoulder. Her feverish need to stay past four years. Her loyalty to this island and desire to make everyone happy.
How long?
How did I not see?
“Jess...”
He cleared his throat. “Yes, well. Early days but...fuck.”
I reached for his hand, my grief swelling to encompass his.
We did have things in common.
So many painful things.
“She’ll wake up. You’ll see.”
He pulled his hand from mine, glowering at the ocean. “That cunt shot her in the womb. Campbell had to give her a complete hysterectomy. He doesn’t even know if she can have sex without pain.”
“I’m so sorry—”
“We hadn’t even gotten to that part. Christ, forget I said anything.” His face settled into stone. “And to answer your question, no I haven’t freed them. Not yet. I’ve tried for the past week to get out of that hellhole of a hospital, but Campbell and his minions locked me in.”
Waving at his chest where a wheeze rattled and his vitality faded, he added, “I’m not at full speed. In order to free five girls...I need help.”
I shifted to my knees in a sudden sand spray. “I’ll help you. I’ll do whatever you need. I’ll burn all Sully’s files. I’ll wipe all his hard drives. I’ll murder any future guests who step foot on this island expecting a goddess to serve them. And then, I’ll help you wake Jess up.”
He nodded, his energy flagging rapidly. “Got the taste for killing now, huh?”
I rolled my eyes. “You know what I mean.”
“Poor guests no longer able to indulge in their fantasies.”
“They’re not my concern. Sully, Jess, and the goddesses are.”
“Is he showing any signs of waking up?”
I shut down my pain. “Not yet, but I’m sure both he and Jess will randomly open their eyes very soon. If they don’t, I’ll make them...just see if I don’t.”
His shoulders fell. “I’m not sure you can create miracles, Jinx.”
“I made Sully happier, didn’t I?”
He eyed me, chuckling once. “You did. But...it hasn’t made you very happy has it?”
“It will...when he’s awake.”
“And you want to keep busy while you’re waiting.” He squeezed the back of his neck. “I get that.” Rolling his shoulders as if summoning energy he didn’t have, he muttered, “Fine.” Holding out his hand, he added, “Help me stand, and we’ll
