Page 221 of House of Cards

“And someone who needs protection,” he adds.

“From who?” I say through a laugh.

“Everyone.” The simple honesty in his voice should terrify me. Instead, it’s almost comforting, despite how frustrated and scared I am.

At least they’re finally being straight with me.

“Any other skeletons in our closet, Bro?” I ask Ricky. When he just drops his head, I sigh and sink back onto the pillows. “Good. Because I need a fucking nap after all that shit you just dumped on me.”

“You asked—” Ricky begins.

“We should let her rest,” Smith says, grabbing Ricky’s shoulder and hauling him to his feet.

“Yeah, fuck,” he mutters, ripping free. “You’re the one who made me tell her.”

I groan, closing my eyes and mentally willing them to leave the room. But it seems I haven’t fully regained my telekinetic powers yet, because only Ricky heads for the door.

After a brief, internal struggle, I call out, “Ricky?”

My brother pauses at the door. “Yeah?”

“I’m glad you’re alive, you lying piece of shit.”

He grins, and fuck, it’s good to see how it lights up his face. “Love you too, Sis.”

The door closes behind him, leaving me alone with Smith.

He’s returned to his position by the window, but I can feel the weight of his stare. When I finally look at him, his expression is unreadable.

“So,” I say, my voice hoarse. “What happens now?”

“Now you rest,” he says, turning to draw the shades.

“After that.”

He pauses, one hand still gripping the thick fabric. “People will be looking for you, Zoey. You and Ricky need to disappear.”

“If you think for one second I’m becoming Patricia?—“

“Then where will you go?” Smith stalks up to the bed, grimacing en route like he forgot how much his leg hurt. “Because you can’t stay here, Zoey.”

“Why the hell not?”

Why am I fighting this? I’ve been wanting out since the day Smith caught me. But he’s right, and I guess it’s something I haven’t really wrapped my head around yet.

I have nowhere else to go.

No money.

No home.

I have Ricky…but he has as much as I do. As in, nothing.

“They know you’re here. It’s only a matter of time before they figure out some way of getting in.”

“They?”

“The Bogota cartel.”