Page 139 of The Bitter Words

I stand and analyze who she’s talking to because it isn’t me. She trips to the side and steadies herself by holding on to the safety bar.

“That little guy bled out of…” She keeps staring at the top of the elevator. “That’s when he started closing down on me. Did you guide him to do that? He said you saved my life. I didn’t thank you and that’s why you’ve been punishing me. I’m sorry.”

“Livianna, who and what are you talking about?”

“I don’t know his name.” She brings her sad, dazed expression to me. “Oh, yes, I do. It’s Pops.”

Maybe that’s her grandfather. I don’t know and it doesn’t matter.

“Okay, Pops just got done telling me he isn’t angry or upset with you.” I step closer to her, wanting to hold her and take this agony away from her. “He also told me you weren’t responsible for causing harm to anyone.”

“Really? He said that?”

“He did.” I grimace inside, knowing I’m somehow validating whatever disjointed belief she has going on in that beautiful head of hers.

Thankfully, she stops scratching her skin. “Then why did it happen?”

“Sometimes fate has other plans for us.” The elevator doors slide open and I lead her out.

She hangs her head and leans into me. “Tell me about thisfatething. Nobody has ever brought that up to me.”

“Well, it’s my belief that we all have a destiny.” I squeeze her tight and direct us in the direction of my room. “Whatever is meant to happen, will.”

“So I don’t have any say in the matter?”

“You do, but that’s more about the road you take to getthere. There are more ways than one to get to the final destination. Some easier than others.”

“I don’t get it. How do I know what path to take?”

“You follow your intuition.” I stop when we get to my suite, open the door, and show her in.

I put her purse down, take off my jacket, and loosen my tie.

She staggers as she bends over and takes off her strappy heels. “What if I don’t know how to do that?”

“Most people don’t.”

“Then that means nobody gets to make their own decision about their life.”

“No. It means one has to learn to harness their internal guidance system. Everyone can do it. They just need to believe in themselves more and listen to those little nudges inside themselves.”

She studies me for a moment as I organize our belongings on a table near the entryway of the room. I take her by the elbow and into the living room.

“I like the way you think, Jax.” She sits on the sofa and tucks her legs underneath her.

“There’s a first.”

“What?”

“You liking something I’ve said.” I take out two bottles of water and hand her one. “Here, drink this. Otherwise, you’re going to have a massive headache in the morning.”

She takes it from me, twists off the lid, and gulps most of it down.

I find a seat in the corner of the couch she’s on. “If you need more, just let me know.”

Through the window of my room, fireworks boom and pop. People yell and holler in the areas around us.

She turns toward the night sky. “I guess that means it’s New Year’s.”