Page 162 of Stolen Voices

“Put her away.”Why would he use this to put Silla away? Unless…

“Eli, what is Mason talking about?” My heart hammers in my chest as I look behind me.

Eli’s eyebrows scrunch together in worry. “We think Silla took out this policy in your name. In the event of your death, her name is listed as the policy’s sole beneficiary.”

Eli’s words are a melon baller to my insides, scooping them out and tossing them into the trash. Anger and grief wrap themselves into a lead ball in my stomach, weighing me down.

I’m her sister. We share a father, a man who was generous and kind. How did it come to all this?

Memory after memory of Silla treating me with anger and disdain hits me like bullets to the chest. I knew she didn’t like me, but thinking about it and seeing it for myself are two different things. Her hate for me runs so deep she’d rather I be dead than a part of her life.

“There’s more,” Eli says.

“Of course there’s more.” I squeeze my eyes shut and hold Eli tighter, bracing myself for impact.

“Someone leakeda video of your fall to the press. Everyone is going crazy. There’s a lot of speculation about your whereabouts. It’s a PR shitstorm. Hudson wants us home and for you to do an appearance tomorrow night at a movie premiere. Let people know you’re okay. We have to go home.”

A premiere? Home?

Blood roars in my ears as real life catches up to me in one fell swoop, knocking me on my ass, blocking Eli’s voice out of my head.

I don’t want to go back to LA.

The ability to breathe gets harder as my airways constrict like a ten-ton elephant is sitting on my chest. Question after question, and thought after thought, pops up like whack-a-mole in my head, leading my brain down various tangents, increasing my panic.

What’s going to happen to me and Eli when we go back to reality? Blaze and his reputation mean the world to him. What if, when we get back, Eli changes his mind about us? Does he want to be with someone who’s constantly followed around by photographers, snapping pictures and stopping to sign autographs? Where will I stay when we go back? With Eli? No, can’t do that. We just started dating. The penthouse? No, I can’t go back there. Silla is there.

Crap. Silla.

Is she really determined to hurt me? What will happen if I see Silla?

Mom? I’ve been away from her for too long. Is she okay? What happens to Mom if Silla is successful? Will Silla go after her next?

A warm liquid spills down my cheeks as my mind drags me down into the deep, muddy waters of the what-ifs.

“Callie, baby, please listen to me. I need you to breathe with me, please.” Eli’s panicked voice breaks through the tornado, twisting me up.

I open my eyes to find his mismatching eyes watching me, his forehead crinkled with concern.

“Breathe with me. In, two, three, four. Out, two, three, four. There we go. Stay with me.”

I focus on Eli’s whiskey-warm voice, following his lead, as he drags me out of the storm and into his arms. Breathing gets easier, and my heart slows.

He pushes me back, cups my cheeks, and wipes away my tears.

“There you are, princess.” He peppers my face with kisses. “I know this is a lot to deal with, but we are going to get through this, okay? Me and you. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Words turn to ash on my dry tongue, so I nod along. Mason hands me a bottle of water, and I take a sip, looking around. I’m on the couch with my legs draped over Eli’s lap, as close to his side as I can get. He must have brought me here during my panic attack, showing me how sweet and protective he is.

“I’m going to go home, give you two some time to talk. I’ll keep digging and check in with you later.”

“Thanks, Mase. I’ll text you.”

Mason nods and lays a warm hand on my shoulder. “It’s going to be okay, Callie. You’re one of us now, and we’ve got your back.”

“Thank you,” is all I can croak out. I want to say more—thank him profusely—but my thoughts and emotions are all tied up in knots. I’m overwhelmed and unsure.

“No problem. I’ll see you soon.” Mason disappears with his laptop bag of doom, leaving me and Eli alone in the living room.