Page 65 of The Eleventh Hour

“It happens to good people all the time, Jax. Because we give the benefit of the doubt, because we don’t look for lies and deceit. It happens, and it doesn’t make you bad or guilty. Good people don’t look for the bad, they look for the good.”

I lay my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. “The rest of the world doesn’t see it that way.”

“The rest of the world’s opinions shouldn’t matter. Your family knows you didn’t do this. Jacob knew. I know.”

I jerk and tilt my head up. “You know?” I don’t bring up my family or the fact that they know nothing. That’s a whole other issue.

“Yes, I can see who you are with people, and you aren’t who they painted you to be. I believe you.”

His hair blows over his forehead, but I can’t look away from his eyes. Gold flecks in the light brown. They are stunning and so earnest. My heart contracts in my chest.

“I-”

“All right, Jacob and I have organised a plan,” Dane says loudly and stomps over to us.

“I didn’t do anything, but I’m borrowing this man on our next food drive. You are an organisational superhero.” Jacob claps Dane on the shoulder.

Dane’s cheeks pinken, and he scowls harder at his phone. “Anyway. Cecil has a couple of friends still alive. I have their addresses. And I’ve found the home address that Liam and Daisy lived in. Plus, all three other addresses.”

“Where’s his wife?” I ask.

“What?” Dane looks up slowly.

“Cecil was married. His gravestone says so. Where is she buried?”

We all turn back.

“Cremated?” Jacob ponders.

“And not all the other bodies? Unlikely,” Dane mutters. “It’s irrelevant right now. Let’s get back to the car and see if we can track down some of these people.”

Dane walks past, and I turn, and then, on a whim, shrug out of Rafael’s hold and jog to catch up to him.

“Thanks.”

“Well, it’s for Terrance.”

I slow my steps. “Of course, I didn’t think-”

His long strides create distance between us, and it feels too big to bridge. I keep to myself for the rest of the walk, and when we get to the cars; I hug Jacob tight and promise him I will come visit. It feels like an ending. The green of the cemetery is peaceful, beautiful, but right next door, the city’s scars slumber. What is real?

“How about dinner? You can meet my wife.”

I shake my head slowly, cold blooming in my soul. “No, Jacob. You read enough to know he targets anyone associated with me.”

Jacob hesitates, but nods his head with a look of resignation. “I’ll help anyway I can.”

“You’ve helped enough. Lie low, and don’t even think the name Jackie Blackwell. I’m better left in the past, for everyone’s sake. If anyone asks, I’m Jax Shade, giving tours of Hurricane.”

Jacob looks slightly ill, but he hugs me again. I remember hugging him when I left Hurricane. It feels the same as it did back then. Helpless, like we were on different paths that were never going to converge.

“Good luck, Jax.”

“Goodbye, Jacob.”

Even our words imitate the past.

I watch as he drives away, and then I climb into the passenger seat of the car, surprising Dane. He glances at me.