The Unseen Enemy Series

Chapter 222

Jim woke up in pitch darkness. Confused, he tried to lift his head, and felt a far-too-familiar kink in his neck. He groaned.

Fuck. Why am I back on her sofa-bed? Did we have a fight last night or something, and I’m in time-out?

His head hurt, his whole body hurt. He lay still, trying to figure it all out, trying to remember how much he’d had to drink. It must have been an astonishing amount; this was by far the worst, most brutally-painful hangover he’d ever had. He felt floaty and dizzy, disconnected from his own limbs somehow, and he closed his eyes again, took a few deep breaths. He felt sick to his stomach, and he wondered if he was going to throw up.

But did I drink last night? Why can’t I remember?

Images were appearing behind his eyelids and he squeezed his eyes tighter, trying to retrieve them. Beth’s face bubbled up to the surface of his memory. Beth kissing him… telling him that she loved him. He smiled.

Did I say it back? I sure as hell hope so…

The memories were changing now, and he clenched his jaw in concentration. Beth kissing him and saying goodbye… her standing above him, telling him to get up… her saying she’d lure Ferguson away from Denver. His eyes popped open as it all came rushing back.

She drugged you and she walked out that door. Hours and hours ago. She’s gone; she's long gone.

Jim stared into the darkness, his thoughts now painfully clear and vivid. No matter what she'd said, Beth didn’t really trust him to keep her safe – that was the long and short of it. The woman preferred to take her chances, alone and unprotected, before she’d trust her life to Jim. She knew, on some level, that he wasn’t good enough to stick around for. He wasn’t worth the risk – not worth any risk.

You’re not worth it, and she knows that.

In his mind, Jim ran over and over what he could have done differently, how he could have made her feel safer with him. Again and again, he remembered how hard he’d tried to show her that he could protect her, that he would protect her. And in the end, he knew that he’d done all he could, all that he was capable of. He’d given it his best f*****g shot and it stillhadn’t been good enough for her. She hadn’t trusted him, she hadn’t believed in him. She’d run from him, even after it all.

“Goddammit, Beth,” he said aloud.

“Jim?”

He jumped and turned to where the voice came from. A small table lamp was switched on now, and he shut his eyes against the glare before forcing them open just a bit. The light sliced through his head and he gave a muffled curse. Right away, the lamp was set on the floor.

“Is that better?” Her green eyes were soft as she gazed at him.

“Beth?” His voice was gravelly and harsh.

She sat up. She’d been lying down next to him, pressed right up against the back of the unfolded sofa so as not to touch him. He turned over all the way and just stared at her, wondering if the whole thing had been a bad dream. But then he saw the guilt and worry on her face, and he knew that it had all happened.

“Are you OK?” she asked.

“You drugged me.”

“I – I know.” She swallowed. “I’m sorry.”

“You f*****g drugged me.”

“I…”

She inched away from him, but he grabbed her by the wrist. “No way, Beth. You stay right the f**k where I can reach you.”

She stopped moving and leaned back against the sofa cushions. She looked terrified but right at this moment, he couldn’t make a single effort to comfort her. He needed some answers.

“Now.” He sat up slowly, his head spinning, trying to organize his thoughts. “Why are you still here?”

“Because… I couldn’t go.”

“Why not?”

“I mean, I did go. I got as far as the street outside, then I just – I came back.”

Jim glared at her. “Why?”

She bit her lip.

“Beth.” She heard the warning in his voice. “Tell me. And I mean right the f**k now.”