Never In Another Life novel · Chapter 20 of 24

Chapter 20: Hands Open

I told him in the elevator.

He had been staring at the numbers lighting up, with his tie pulled loose and the rented jacket over his arm.

"She said the cell was her gift to you."

His jaw worked once.

"She said you should have thanked her."

He was quiet through four floors.

"I'm not going to thank her," he said. "I'm going to carry it. That's different."

"Does it hurt?"

"Yes."

"Good," I said, and he laughed, short and cracked, and leaned his head back against the mirror.

The elevator opened on the ninth floor.

Sammy was asleep in the suite next door.

My friend snored on the couch in front of the television, a sleeping bag zipped up to her chin.

I had checked on him on the way past.

He had a gummy bear in his fist.

Declan's room was at the end of the hall.

He put the key card in the lock, then stopped with his hand on the handle.

"Kira."

"What?"

"You don't have to come in."

"I know."

"I mean it. I'll sleep in the car, like the terms say. I'll wait in the lobby. You've done enough tonight."

"Declan."

"Yes."

"Open the door."

He opened it.

I walked in ahead of him, and I heard it shut behind us with a soft, heavy click.

The room was dark except for the city through the window, a long smear of gold along the lake.

I turned around.

He stood just inside the door with his hands held loose and open at his sides.

They were not shaking.

"I'm not forgiving you," I said.

Keep reading free with an account. Start Never In Another Life from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.