149

NIKKI.

I'm not certain I heard right. I so need her to speak up, and repeat whatever the heck she said. But there's silence, no words of disclaimer after that, just silence... Icy and wrecking silence.

And then she's gone.

In less than an hour, I've heard unimaginable things... Things I badly wish I never heard but ain't no freaking way of becoming innocent again.

I watch her walk away sobbing like a child. I can only imagine the depth of her trauma and sympathize with her but not feel it the way she does. First her baby and now her mates? To worsen it, all three of them? Now, that's too much of a burden.

I open my mouth to yell her name and just how easy it opens, it closes on its accord. Words fail me, my muscles are flaccid, and I can't go after her.

Was she joking? Is there more spilling to be done? If she was, why is she then investing her energy in getting treasures stocked up like it's the actual ransom? Is this some sort of a pity party soliciting show?

I gasp, exhau