Page 115 of A Forever Love
“Have you talked to anyone about this?”
“I’m not stupid, Mere. I know Uncle Keith will go ballistic on Carter.” Um, yeah, that’s an understatement. “But I think he’ll be okay once he’s made his peace with it.”
I can’t help my smile at his words. “Charles Hawthorne, how old are you to talk like this? People call me ancient, and you even took me by surprise.”
His response is a shrug. “I’ve seen several relationships in my family. So, are you going to admit it, or are we going back to pretending there’s nothing between Carter and you?”
“You like Carter, don’t you?” I ask instead.
“He’s the only friend I have these days, and he makes me feel safe.” Charlie doesn’t look up from his plate.
“What about your other cousins, the Teager boys?” I know how close Kristy is with her sister, Rose, and her family.
“They’re more than my cousins. They’re my best friends and brothers. Someday, we’ll work together, but I also don’t want them to get hurt because of me, so we mostly stay connected via text or calls these days.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you.” I take a sip of my latte, but when my gaze falls on the door, I’m stunned to find Percy gone. All my senses go on high alert as I scan the room, finding only three geriatric guests sipping coffee. There’s no restaurant staff in sight, and our bodyguard is gone.
“Charlie, listen carefully.” I grasp his hands firmly. “I can’t see Percy.” Fear flickers in Charlie’s eyes, and he attempts to look over his shoulder, but I stop him. “I’m calling Carter. I promise I’ll keep you safe.”
I dial Carter’s number, and he answers after two rings.
“Hey, where did you go?”
“I’m at the breakfast bar with Charlie.” The panic is clear in my voice.
“Please tell me Percy and Tony are with you.”
“Tony isn’t well, and I swear Percy was right in front of me just three seconds ago, but I don’t see him now.”
“Fuck,” he swears under his breath, and I hear him already moving. “Mere, listen to me. You and Carter need to hide under the table. I’m on my way.”
“Charlie, get under the table.” My voice trembles with emotion. For a second, the entire world stops as I spot Tony standing by the entrance with a gun pointed right at us.
Everything that transpires next unfolds in a blur of fast-paced chaos.
I force Charlie’s head down onto the table and cover his body with mine.
A shot rings out just as Carter and two Hawthorne security bodyguards are on Tony, disarming him.
A sharp, searing pain shoots through my arm.
Charlie’s scream echoes in my ears.
Carter rushes toward us, his face is drained of color and gripped with fear. He lunges for me just as I start to fall.
“Mere.”
It’s the last thing I hear before my eyes close and I slip into unconsciousness.
31
CARTER
“Paranoid Schizophrenia?” My words come out slowly as I stare at the doctor sitting before me. “How is that even possible?” My hand rakes through my hair, memories of every encounter with Tony flooding my mind, yet nothing stands out.
“Mr. Walker is adept at hiding his struggles. That’s why his condition went unnoticed for so long.”
“So he orchestrated all the letters and notes but was also trying to protect Charlie? How is that possible?” I ask, trying to make sense of the situation.