FIFTY

IMOGEN

Two people replace the three previous ones and as Cassie and Jack head tentatively into the room, the guilt and grief on Cassie’s face is too painful to see.

“I’m okay.” I reassure them with a smile and Cassie wipes away her tears and sniffs. “No thanks to us.”

Jack appears as concerned and his expression is tight, guarded and yet desperate.

“You frightened us.” He whispers and I nod.

“I frightened myself, but it’s all good. It worked out in the end.”

They sit on either side of me, perched on the edge of the bed, and I ask, “What happened?”

Cassie shares a look with Jack, who sighs heavily. “We gave you the corsage to keep eyes on you. The masks were a good idea to a point, but they also meant we could lose you in a crowd.”

Cassie adds. “The plan was to keep tabs on you in case Jesse went back on his word. Luca had already received a text from his father telling him they were hitting on The Serpent Society tonight — all of them.”

“I don’t understand.”

Jack nods, a stern expression on his face. “Frankie told me his family was involved. They had enough intelligence to take out the whole god-damned society in one go. They had pinpointed their locations and were moving in and by the end of the night, The Serpent Society would be no more.”

“It was Frankie’s idea to follow Jesse.” Cassie adds. “He wasn’t convinced he was being honest with him and when he saw him enter the room and make straight for you, he was pissed.”

“But it wasn’t Jesse.”

Their eyes widen.

“He was dressed as Jesse, even down to those ridiculous socks he wears, but he wasn’t the guy who drugged me and took me to that house.”

“Then where is Jesse?”

Drake chooses that moment to head inside and catches the tail end of the conversation.

“Jesse is here in the hospital.” He sighs heavily.

“I found him bound and gagged in the drama wardrobe department. Apparently, he told Christian he was out and wouldn’t be taking part in the final act.

Christian was angry and knocked him out and stole his clothes and intended to finish the job as Jesse’s punishment for betrayal. ”

“He’s here.”

We stare at Drake in surprise and he nods grimly. “Ryder checked up on him and he’s got a concussion but should be good to go in twenty–four hours. Same for you, darlin’.”

“And Delilah?” I ask, and Drake’s expression softens.

“Will leave with Blade, who has been detailed with bringing her home.”

“For fuck’s sake, hasn’t she been through enough?” Cassie groans. “He’ll terrify the crap out of her.”

Her response lightens the atmosphere and Jack stands. “We should go and check on Jesse. The others will want to know. They want to come in here and check on you, but that’s a fierce nurse you’ve got guarding you out there and it’s only due to Ryder’s powers of persuasion that we are here at all.”

“You should get some sleep.” Cassie smiles, genuine concern in her eyes.

“I don’t want to sleep. I can’t. So much has happened. My mind is buzzing.”

Cassie leans down and hugs me carefully, whispering, “I’m sorry I let you down, Imogen. We should never have asked you to help save Jesse.”

“I would have been madder if you hadn’t.” I reassure her and her hug is soon replaced with Jack’s and as we huddle together, the three musketeers again, I wonder if that will ever change.