Falling with Grace - Page 160

“Rosa?” I shoved my way through the staff and fell to my knees at her side.

Elias pressed a washcloth to her forehead, the blood soaking into the fabric.

“What happened?”

“I told you to stay put.” Elias’ jaw clenched as his darkening eyes narrowed at me.

“I’m sorry.” My hands turned clammy, my body breaking into a cold sweat as I blinked at him.

“Did you hear me?” His lips formed a thin line, his jaw ticking. “Leave.”

Someone beside me gasped.

My heart raced to the brink of explosion as all eyes turned on me, the silence surrounding us unbearable.

The space around me bled away into my dingy cage, and a threadbare mattress tucked into the corner.

I raise my hands, and Andrés contorted features morph with his wrath. His face bleeds into red, his lips spewing spittle. “You never listen.”

“Hey.”

My pulse pounded in my ears, and my rancid stomach tumbled.

Javier grabbed my shoulders and I jerked away. “P-please don’t be mad.” I pressed the back of my hand to my mouth. “I’m sorry.” Spinning, I rushed for the bushes and dry heaved, my morning stomach filled with acid and remnants of happiness.

Javier approached behind me, and I whirled around.

“Grace.” Elias’ voice penetrated the fog.

My feet moved, my toes digging into the sand as I jumped off the patio and ran to the one next door, my fingers trembling as I wiped my mouth. I rushed into the living area and sat on the couch, my knees pressing against my ears as I bent over, gulping big breaths.

It’s okay.

I’m not there anymore.

The cushion beside me dipped down.

Javier’s cologne swirled around me. “You should have listened.”

I interlaced my fingers behind my neck, pressing my head between my legs.

“I know.”

“It’s how people get killed around here.”

I exhaled and rose with caution, wiping a stray tear from my eye in the process, my sandpaper tongue heavy in my mouth.

“Because they don’t listen. He didn’t say it to punish you but to protect you.”

I huffed and pushed to my feet. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t act as though I were someone I’m not. I know my place here.” Spinning on the balls of my feet, I walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, Javier at my heels.

“Does what he did for you last night mean nothing to you?”

I twisted the cap and swigged the water. “More than you’ll ever know.”

“It doesn’t show.”

I spun on him, my jaw set tight. “You know nothing about me. Remember, it wasn’t long ago you put me in a barrel of water.”