Page 134 of Wrecked (Dirty Air 3)

Someone who is meant to live a life shrouded in hard moments.

Someone who is never going to have their own kids, let alone be alive for grandkids.

Someone who will never be worthy of her, no matter how much I wish it weren’t the case.

And the last statement is the truest one of all.

47

Elena

The moment I saw my bank account, I called Connor. “You made a mistake.” I skip the pleasantries and cut to the point.

“I can assure you I didn’t.”

I pace the small hallway of my flat. “You told me last week I was only being paid for the months I completed. This is definitely not the price we agreed upon.” I check the bank statement one more time to make sure I’m seeing things right. “Hell, this isn’t even the bonus price we signed about.”

He sighs. “I shouldn’t have said something like that when I was angry. You worked hard to help Jax and I shouldn’t hold his mistake against you. As for the bonus, consider it hazard pay.”

“Hazard pay?”

“You know, for Jax being an arsehole and messing with your reputation. For keeping to your NDA and not sharing anything Jax might have said or done during your time together.”

“I can’t accept this kind of money for that.” Even I have values and accepting two-hundred thousand euros for a failed job feels like I’m taking advantage of the situation.

Does Jax breaking my heart hurt? Yes.

Does it deserve a price tag of an extra year’s worth of pay? Definitely not.

“I don’t know what to say.” I sigh.

“Say you’ll accept it and move on. I’ve got a meeting to run to and I don’t have time to chat and gossip about boys together.”

I let out a soft laugh. “Yet you’re the first one to gossip.”

“Fine. You caught me. Seriously, it was nice talking to you, but I need to go. Good luck with your grandmother and I wish you the best of luck out there.”

Grandmother? I don’t remember mentioning her to Connor. I say thank you and hang up, chalking up the situation to Elías’s big mouth. I lean my head against the back of the couch and whisper my thanks to God.

There are good people out there, I only need to search for them in the right places.

“You look exhausted.” Caleb brings the FaceTime camera closer to his face.

To put it nicely, I look like shit because my sleep has never been worse. I refuse to sleep with lights anymore, not after everything Jax said. The fear and bad memories have always been my weakness and maybe Jax is right. Not everything he said, but a small part. I need to face my fear to let go of the nightmares trapping me. But things like this take time, seeing as I’ve had nightmares six out of seven nights.

He taps on the screen, getting my attention. “Come on, turn that frown upside down.”

“How about now?” I offer him a tight smile.

“Hideous and fake. Cut the crap, Elena. It’s been a week already and you’ve barely left your apartment.”

“I barely left my apartment before I had a job traveling around the world.”

“Har, har. Hilarious. Don’t make me fly out there and kick your arse.”

My eyes narrow. “I’d like to see you try. Let me see those arms again.”

“Put away the puzzle, get some clothes on that don’t look like they belong in a Goodwill fashion show, and go outside after I hang up.”