Page 209 of Red Marked

He’s shaking his head, so I stop talking, my heart sinking.

His gaze softens. “I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

“What are you talking about? You wouldn’t be intruding.” I snort-laugh. It sounds a little panicked.

Flint takes a step back.

Shit.

“Please come.” It comes out small. “I want you to.” Now I’m begging.

I need to stop.

He shakes his head again. “It’s better if I head back to the hotel.” He points at the door.

“I’ll take you to them, Star. It’s no problem.” Jett’s arm slides around me again.

I want to shrug it off. I want to tell Flint… What, exactly?

No. Shit.

This is what I wanted. To free the others. To be back home. Now it’s here, and I’m not sure of anything anymore. It feels like I’m gaining something and losing something all at once.

“Once we’ve seen your folks, we’ll swing past the hotel and fetch your things,” Jett says. “You don’t have to stay there. You belong here. With me.”

Really?

I saw him with another female the other day.

I had Flint inside me.

Everything has changed.

“I’m going to head out,” Flint says.

“What now?” I step out from under Jett’s arm. “What about going back to the clinic? I need to tell the others. What about⁠—?”

Us.

There is no us.

I hate this.

“You don’t have to decide anything right away. Go and see your family, Star. You don’t even have to come back to the clinic with me.”

“That wouldn’t be right. I need to⁠—”

“My team and I can go and fetch them.”

My team.

Not our team.

I hate how that makes me feel.

“No, Flint. I want to be there. I have to be.”

“Flint’s right.” Jett rubs the side of my arm. “You’ve been through an ordeal, babe. Let’s go and see your folks. They’ll call Koda. Spend some time with your loved ones. With us. You need to exhale. You’re so wound up. I hate seeing you like this.” He keeps rubbing. “We’ll fetch your bags. And if you insist on going back, I’ll go with you. I am with you every step of the way from here on out.”