Page 65 of Pervade Montego Bay

“He was always watching over you, Em,” James whispered.

“I always will,” said Xavier.

“Why did you wait so long to come back?”

Xavier stepped away from me, looking harried. “James was admitted to the hospital under the name Kingston. It took me awhile to figure things out.”

“I thought it would be safer not to use his real name,” I said.

“You did well, Emily.” James approached us. “Xavier, where were you exactly?”

Xavier looked uncertain. “With Louis.”

It was hard to read James’ expression, but it looked a lot like surprise.

“Who’s Louis?” I asked.

“A good friend,” James replied.

“He doesn’t know about your accident,” whispered Xavier.

James gave a nod of approval.

Xavier looked around the kitchen. “This place hasn’t changed.”

“Only the people.” James smiled over at me. “Emily is making soup. Want some?”

“Sure.” Xavier smiled. “Any iced tea?”

“In the fridge.” James leaned on the central island with a pained expression.

Xavier rushed forward. “Let’s get you back to bed.”

Seeing James’ pale face made my heart race. I rushed around to his other side to help Xavier support him.

“You shouldn’t have left the hospital,” I said.

“I’m fine.”

With Xavier on one side and me on the other, we helped James back up the staircase and into bed.

Xavier sat on the edge by his side. “When was the last time you took a pain pill?”

James mulled that over. “I was reluctant—”

“What were you prescribed?” Xavier looked concerned.

“Tylenol.”

Xavier looked over at me. “No aspirin at any time, got it?”

I gave a nod. “I remember.”

Xavier stared at James’ bandage. “We need to clean your wound.”

“I’m fine.”

He ignored that and went into the bathroom to wash his hands. When he returned, he unwrapped James’ bandage carefully, and then gave him a look of reassurance.